Today’s readings remind Fr Greg of the desert fathers’ story of Abba Lot and Abba Joseph:
“Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, ‘Abba, as far as I can I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?’ Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, ‘If you will, you can become all flame.”*
Are we, like Abba Lot, willing to setting for something not quite satisfying or are we, like Abba Joseph, ready to become “all flame” in God.
*Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, translated by Benedicta Ward (p 103)
[Moses said to the Israelites:] “Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?”
DT 4:32-40
“Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
MT 16:24-28