We turn now in the Evergetinos to consider the “avoidance of idleness”. With this, of course, we are compelled to consider the nature of work, and its connection to the spiritual life and our sanctification.
Avoiding idleness is not simply keeping busy - much less busyness. It is something that allows us to prevent the mind and the heart from wandering from He who is the source of life, God. We are not angels. We are called to provide for ourselves and also to provide for the poor. And so it is by the labor of our hands that we not only keep ourselves from becoming distracted - but enable ourselves not to become a burden to others and also to offer charity to those in need.
Furthermore, keeping oneself from idleness also allows for the formation of virtues; obedience, self-control, ordering of the appetites, humility, etc. What is being presented to us, then, is connected to the overall portrait of what it is to be a human being; one whose life is directed completely toward God. The love that we have received and bear within us transforms everything about what it is to be a human being; to suffer, to love, and to work. It is our identity as Christians that must shape our perception of reality.
Text of chat during the group:
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-seven Part II and Homily Sixty-eight Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-seven Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-six Part IV
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-six Part III
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-six Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-five Part IV and Homily Sixty-six Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-five Part III
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-five Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part XII and Homily Sixty-five Part I
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part XI
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part X
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part IX
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part VIII
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part VII
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part VI
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part V
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part IV
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part III
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part II
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian - Homily Sixty-four Part I
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