psephrem.asceticon.02 Chapter 1

Whilst we are in this condition all is vain, and the garb of the monk cannot benefit us ;

on the contrary, so long as our hearts are fixed upon these works in this way, only the emptiness of our foolish pleasures will follow us.

O monk, put not thy confidence in thy garb, but know that thou art a stranger to the things of heaven, and that thy soul appeareth in a naked condition.

But peradventure there will be some one who will say, ' The passions of the body are natural, and the man who becometh a servant unto them is without blame.'

Watch carefully, O brother, that thou dost not bring an accusation against thyself

Thou resemblest that which was created by the Good God, and the unnatural things (exist) because of thy wishes and thine acts of carelessness ;

for all the beings whom God hath created are exceedingly good.

He hath adorned their natural persons with beauty, and He hath given unto man suitable needs, and good powers and faculties for labour.

Now, accordingto nature, a man feeleth an hungered, and when he eateth in moderation he is blameless ;

but if he eateth with gluttonous immoderation he becometh liable to blame.

And yet hunger is a natural thing

Similarly, when a man feeleth thirsty, he is blameless, so long as he drinketh in moderation

but if he taketh to drinking and swilling at all times men will blame him. Now thirst is a natural thing,

but to be swilling always is unnatural.

And if a man sleepeth sufficient to satisfy his natural want he is blameless ;

but if he sleepeth overmuch there is no credit therein, for he doeth great injury to his own body. He giveth himself into the power of the passion for sleep, and he delivereth himself over to phantasies through careless indifference.

If the custom of sleeping overmuch become firmly rooted in him, it will become the master of his natural faculty of sleep.

For nature and custom (or, habit) are preachers of two distinct kinds

nature manifesteth itself as a servant, but custom manifesteth itself as an act of deliberate choice, and man standeth between them.

The act of deliberate choice is its own master,

and it is like unto a husbandman who planteth evil habits in the natural body, as well as the virtues which are excellent, and who planteth what is evil according- as it pleaseth him.

Thus also is it in the case of hunger, and in the case of thirst likewise.

In the matter of thirst [there is] swilling.

In the matter of sleep [there is] great destruction [of the body] if the sleep be too heavy.

Moreover, in the sight of the eyes [there is] the evil thought, and in truth there is also the habit of theft.

And he planteth the virtues which are excellent in a similar manner.

Thus in the case of thirst there is patient endurance.

In the case of sleep there is the nightly vigil.

In the case of theft there is the practice of honesty.

In the case of the sight of the eyes there is temperance.

Thus the act of deliberate choice is like unto a husbandman.

For this act of deliberate choice, by the turning of the eyes, either stablisheth evil habits or planteth the virtues, which are excellent, according as he willeth, and it can overcome nature.

For nature is like unto a parcel of ground which is cultivated,

and the husbandman thereof is the act of deliberate choice.

And Holy Scripture teacheth us and instructeth us what are the evil habits which deserve to be pulled up by their roots, and what are the excellent virtues which it is meet to plant, and to cultivate so that they may prosper.

For the husbandman who knoweth not the power of the Scriptures is himself powerless, and he is also a simpleton,

because the law-giving of the Scriptures giveth strength and understanding. It bestoweth the virtues of excellence from its own branches according to rule,

it giveth unto him good faith to plant in his unbelieving' [soil], and hope when he is in a state of want of confidence (or, incredulity), and love when in a state of hatred, and understanding w^hen in a state of ignorance, and diligence when in a state of carelessness, [and] honour and glory.

He Who suffered planted immortality and Godhead in His manhood.

And if our husbandman, that is to say, the act of deliberate choice, casteth behind him his Master who teacheth him, that is to say, the Holy Scriptures, he will find himself led astray,

and he will come into evil thoughts which will gather round about him evil habits, and he will plant them in his nature, which was not intended to receive them.

And these are they: Unbelief, Despair about thyself, Hatred, Envy, Love of vainglory, [ the Lust of the belly, Luxuriousness, Contradictoriness, Strife, and the things which are like unto these.

For these things shall come upon him because he hath forsaken the Law-giver.

And (when) he repenteth he must blame himself, and make haste and cast himself down before the Law-giver, and say, shedding tears as he doeth so, 'I have sinned, for I have cast thee behind me.'

Then straightway the Law-giver will receive him gladly, in His abundant love for man,

and He will give unto him a good understanding, and strength to enable him to work the field of nature once again.

He shall remove the evil habits therefrom, and wall give unto him the virtues which are chosen and excellent to plant in the place of the evil things, and He wall give unto him crowns and honours in abundance.

He shall sufier hunger according to nature, but shall endure it with patience ;

he shall feel desire, bu.t shall be able to resist it (?) ;

sleep shall oppress him heavily, but he shall contend against it during the night of vigil

he will sing unwillingly,

but he will open his mouth and bless God with a vigorous voice.

They shall give him a crown for this, and at the same time pay him honours ;

a crown because he strove earnestly and vanquished nature,

and honours because he acquired the virtues of excellence.

Now let us ascribe glory to God because of the love which He hath shewn to man, and let us bless Him, and let us make manifest to all His goodness,

and let us cast ourselves down and worship His gracious compassion.

For what father would ever shew forth such compassion as this?

Or, what father is there who loveth his son in the way wherein the Lord loveth us, who are His servants?

He hath graciousIy bestowed upon us multitudes of gifts, He hath ruled us in majesty,

He hath forgiven us in mercy, and He hath healed the wounds of our souls compassionately,

and yet we, who are unpardonable, have wholly disregarded Him.

He hath shewn longsuffering towards us, and hath not cast us behind Him, for He wisheth to save every one, and to make them cease from their sins, so that they may inherit His kingdom.

For He hath in His goodness healed all the sicknesses which have afflicted us.

The lazy and inert man He hath made eager and zealous, and He hath made him to learn a few hymns and psalms.

The sinner He hath urged to repent, and He hath forgiven him, and given him joy of heart in virtue by means of weeping and humility.

The weak man He hearkeneth unto very swiftly in order that his courage may not fail him, and upon those who endure patiently He graciously bestoweth the gift of the Spirit,

and He giveth honour to them all as the wages of their sufferings.

It is quite possible for Him to draw us to Him [on] wings, but He doth not wish to make our act of deliberate choice to become unfruitful.

O what a Good God is this God!

O what a Lover of man is this God!

O how indescribable is this God!

And yet we treat Him with contempt and are careless in seeking after Him, our Lord, Who created us, and loved us, and gave Himself for us, and are sluggish in invoking Him!

He hath redeemed us.

He hath helped us,

He hath illumined the eyes of our understanding,

He hath set prudence in our hearts,

He hath made us to taste the delight of His love, which is sweet at all times.

Blessed is the man who shall be filled with His love, and over whom no other wish of the heart hath dominion.

Hearken now unto me, O my brethren, my beloved.

What wise man is there who would not love such a God as this?

Who is there who would not worship Him, and acknowledge Him?

I beseech and I entreat you that ye be not careless in ascribing blessing to this merciful God.

If we are careless and indifferent, O [my] God-loving [brethren], what apology therefor shall we make in the Day of Judgement, or what shall we say ?

Shall we say that we did not hear, or that we did not know, or that we had never been informed [about Him]?

Woe! Woe! Twofold and manifold shall be the woe that shall come upon us.

For He saith, ' Voices are heard in the Valley of Judgement.'

And what voices are these, O my brethren, except weeping and gnashing of teeth?

What thing is there which our Lord did not do for us when He was in the bosom of His Father?

Did not He Who was in the height that is indescribable humble Himself, and come down to us?

Did not He Who was invisible make Himself visible for our sakes?

Did not the Immortal Word take flesh and taste death for us?

Was not He Who payeth honour to every one treated with contempt?

Was not He smitten on His face for our sakes, that He might make us free?

O how full of terror is this miracle!

A hand made of mud, a hand of clay, a hand of dust and ashes, which was fashioned out of the earth, dared to thrust itself into the Face of Christ, Who fashioned the heavens and the earth, and He endured it with humility!

And we, wretched and miserable creatures that we are, and made of dust and ashes, cannot bear even speech from each other.

This God Who was spotless, did not He taste death, and was He not buried in the tomb for our sakes so that He might raise us up?

Did not He break the fetters of the Enemy, and bind him, Compare and deliver him over into our hands for us to make a mock of him, and give us the power to trample upon him?

When we cried out unto Him, on what day did He not hearken unto us?

And if we hesitated a little He was willing to increase our wages.

Hearken, O beloved brother, I speak to thee.

O monk, tell me wherefore didst thou set thyself apart from the world, if thou seekest again for the pleasant things of the world? Thou wilt neither answer me nor wilt thou be sober.

Dost thou not know that thou art invited to tribulations, and afflictions, and hunger, and thirst, and cold, and nakedness ?

Thou art invited, O beloved, to prayings, and nights of vigil, and weepings, and sighings.

And yet, brother, thou goest on amid jestings, and lewdness, and laughter, and thou sparest not thy mouth and thine eyes, and thou lookest not into thy heart.

Remember, therefore, that thou hast been invited to a heavenly inheritance, and yet thou behavest like a madman through thy stupidity, and thinkest about the things which belong to earth!

But what wilt thou say in the Day of Judgement?

Will not the Righteous Judge say unto thee, ' Did I not suffer for thy sake?

I suffered hunger for thee, I was thirsty, and they made Me drink vinegar.

I was naked on the Cross.

I gave My soul for thee.'

Were not these words written for thee, O brother?

Or dost thou not know fhat all creation shall stand before the throne of the Christ, and that they all shall be judged on account of everything which they have forgotten, both good and bad?

They shall set us in the midst of thousands of thousands, and tens of thousands of angels and archangels, and all the saints shall stand round about Him.

In that hour thou shalt not be able to lie.

Watch carefully, then, O monk, and make not thy judgement to be double upon thee, and thyself to be ashamed of thy evil actions.

But I exhort thee to rise up out of sleep, and to cast thy forgetfulness behind thee, and to prepare thyself before the Judgement of God [cometh].

Know thou that it hath drawn nigh, that the day hath turned, and that the hour is at hand.

Know too that thou didst see our brethren with us yesterday, and that to-day they are not,

for their Lord required them, and they departed.

Consider yesterday and to-day, how they have passed away like a pretty flower or like a swift runner.

even so are our days, and yet we do not know it.

Blessed is the man who shall make himself ready, for he shall receive the life which is for ever!

Hearken unto me, O beloved one.

Hitherto thou hast been carelessly indifferent, hitherto thou hast occupied thyself with the cares of thing-s material, althoug-h this world is only like unto a place wherein to sojourn.

Now, however, take good heed, and decide what it is that thou wilt send to heaven before thee.

I exhort thee not to depart in a condition of emptiness, but to send a gift on before thee.

Send on a prayer full of tears,

send on alms and oblations [obtained by] the labours of thy hands,

send on nights of vigil [filled] with psalms and hymns,

send on belief and truth to the God Who hath loved thee.

If thou hast sent on before thee things like unto these then be of good cheer, for thou shalt depart into a place of everlasting rest.

If, however, thou hast not sent on before thee any one of the things which I have enumerated,

and if Do not irritate thy brother, and do not treat him arrogantly.

And why dost thou take thought beyond measure concerning apparel, and raiment, and food?

O brother, thou takest oaths, thou utterest lies and thou shewest thyself hard and grasping in thy buying and selling;

shall not He Who feedeth the birds and the beasts feed thee by His forethought and by the fruit of thy hands?

Do not act in this manner, O monk, but take heed that thou mayest become an heir of God;

and, if thou wert, wouldst thou then take care for the material things of this world?

Thou sayest, in accordance with thy garb, 'I have died to the world,' and then thou lettest thy mind dwell upon the thing-s of the world!

Why dost thou deceive thyself alone?

Why dost thou make thyself a slave unto thyself?

The season for repentance hath been set before thee, [but] thou art careless, and wilt be accused before the Lawgivcr.

Observe now, O thou wretched man, that death shall come suddenly, and what wilt thou say unto him?

Wilt thou not say, 'Let me be ; take me not now; leave me until I have repented? '

Be wise (?), O wretched man, for that hour shall come upon thee like a snare, and thou wilt repent, and wilt say, 'O woe is me ! for my days have come to an end without my knowing it.

Woe is me!

What shall I do?

Death hath compassed me round about, and there is no way whereby I may flee from him.'

Now therefore, O my beloved, be wise, and pay good heed unto the things which I shall say unto thee.

'Hearken thoa unto what the Lord spake,

for He said, ' Even unto the very least word, and the most trivial, a man shall give account of the same in the Day of Judgement.'

This is sufficient to bring fear and trembling upon us in the day of the Judgement of the Christ.

Is there any man who would not be utterly terror-stricken before the Lord of All, Who crieth out? for he who hearkeneth unto Him ceaseth to exist (forthwith).

He saith, 'The chamber of the marriage feast is prepared ; my oxen and my fatted animals are slaughtered, all things are ready.

Come ye to the marriage feast.

Come ye to the open door.

Come ye inside, remain ye not outside.

If I shall shut the door there is no one who can open it to you, there is no one who can take inside him that standeth outside.'

And after these invitations, and after all these entreaties, there is none who heareth, none who hasteneth [to accept], none who is afraid, but all remain unmoved in heart through [their] vain delusion, for we do not wish to hearken.

Let us be prudent.

Let us not be careless and become carried away by emptiness.

A blessed man is he wlio hath fled joyfully and hath departed to the Lord, for He shall give him freedom of speech at the true marriage feast.

O woe be unto him that is careless!

We know that we must of necessity depart, and we know that He will come in power and great glory, and will bestow crowns upon those who have hearkened nnto Him, and have worked well and that He will award punishments to those who have been careless.

For, in the middle of the night, when all men are asleep, and are sunk in the deepest slumber, mighty noises shall come from the heavens, and peals of thunder which strike terror [into those who hear them], and lightnings filled with fire, and mighty winds filled with quaking, and those who are asleep shall wake up in a state of great alarm, and terror shall lay hold of them, and fear and dismay shall seize them. when each and every one of them shall remember his own deeds, whether they be evil or whether they be good.

Those who have done evil shall burst out into lamentation, and their hearts shall beat wildly, and they shall cry out, saying, ' Woe be unto us! Whither shall we go?

For the earth shall shake under them, the thunders shall strike terror into them, the lightnings of fire shall alarm them, and the winds shall buffet them and shake them violently.

There shall be darkness and the blackness of night of the densest kind which shall terrify them utterly, and there shall be no place whereunto they may flee.

The fear of death shall stupefy them, and the thought of their sins shall encircle them, and the punishment of the Judgement shall put them to shame.

Such are the things which shall come to pass at that hour.

A trumpet which striketh terror shall issue a blast in heaven, and the terror thereof shall raise up those who are sleeping in the ends of the earth, and it shall make those who have been dead for ages to stand up.

Then the powers of the heavens shall shake, and the foundations of the earth shall totter and shall roar like the seas, and all the elements shall be set in violent commotion at the fear of the glory of the Lord.

For a terrible fire shall go before Ilim, and shall purify the earth from the iniquities wherewith it hath been defiled.

Amente shall open its gates in fear, and Death shall remove himself and be abolished.

Then all the flesh of men who have come into being from the earth, and who have all turned to corruption, shall hear the sound of the trumpet, and they all shall come to life.

O what a terrifying miracle will this be ! How is it possible in the twinkling of an eye for the dead bodies of all mankind to rise up, and come to life, and stand up to judgement, and cry out in their fear, saying, ' Glory be to Thee, O God, Who hast raised us up from the dead through Thy love for man?

O blessed shall be those who are perfect, and have lived in purity, for they shall be made happy by the sight of the wages of their labours,

and the Martyrs who shall be made to wear their crowns, and the Prophets and the Apostles who shall be arrayed in their apparel, and they shall all dwell in glory before the face of the Christ,

O blessed shall be those who shall be found worthy of that state of being, for they shall hold intercourse with the angels, and walk wnth the saints, and converse with God in the uppermost heights amid the clouds of glory, and they shall keep the feast with the Immortal Bridegroom.

For as the bird which stretcheth out its wings flieth up into the heights therewith,

even so shall it be with each of them who seeth according to his power.

He whose heart is holy seeth the glory of God.

And Adam, the first man, shall marvel in that day, and shall say, ' How is it possible that all this great multitude, and these countless nations, can have come forth from my body?'

But he will be far more puzzled to know why it is that of this one creation of all mankind, one is in the kingdom [of heaven] and the other in Amente.

Glory be unto Thee, Thou Who art alone the Wise God!

And further, O brethren, let us remember that terrible place of Judgement.

In very truth when I remember it trembling' seizeth me, and I become violently alarmed, and I heave sighs, and I weep when I see the Paradise of Joy, and the fiery furnace of Gehenna, and the examination before the throne of the Christ.

[When] I see these things I heave a sigh, and my strength faileth me because I have squandered my time with careless indifference, and wasted it in empty talk and thoughts,

whereon I have used up my tears, and I never perceived how they were being sacrificed, and how my days were coming to an end ;

and so my days came to an end without my knowing it, and my sins became very many.

Woe be unto me O my beloved!

What shall I do by reason of the shame which shall overwhelm me on the day of the awful Judgement of Truth?

At the moment when those who are my friends and acquaintances see me in the garb of monkhood, they will look upon me, and ascribe blessings imto me, not knowing that my inward parts are full of wickedness, and of every kind of uncleanness, and that I forgot God, Who trieth the hearts and the reins.

O brethren, great indeed will be the shame of that moment, and it will be the greater because it must be submitted to, and there is no escape therefrom.

Verily, wretched and miserable shall the man be who shall be cast away on that day in shame.

Who is there that shall be able to help him?

I adjure Thee, O God, by Thy lovingkindness. Thou Lover of mankind, Thou Good God, place Thou me not on Thy left hand, and cast me not away with the goats, who have provoked Thee to wrath. And say not unto me, 'I know thee not.'

But because of Thy great mercy, make me, so long as I remain in the body, continue to weep by day and by night, and to groan over my sins, and do Thou prepare my heart to be a dwelling-place for Thy holy grace.

Even though I am a wicked sinner I will not cease to knock at the door of Thy compassion.

Even though I am careless I will not desert Thy path, O my God.

I beseech you, my brethren,

I entreat you,

I adjure you,

let us weep before Ilim day and night, with prayers and psalms, in order that we may not fall into the place of weeping and gnashing- of teeth, and the sleepless worm, and the shame, and the disgrace, and the Great Judgement, which shall decide [everything],

that peradventure, by the compassion of God, He may make us worthy of life everlasting with the saints, in the place wherein there is neither terror nor destruction,

the place wherein there is no death,

the place wherein there is no war of the Adversary,

the place wherein there is neither hatred nor enmity, but everlasting joy and happiness, and the table which is full of the good things o£ the Spirit of every kind, and is full of the sweetness of righteousness, and the Paradise over which we shall exult, and which we shall inherit for ever and ever.

Glory and majesty be to the good and man-loving God, Who hath prepared for us His kingdom for ever and ever! Amen.