Yesterday I was greatly burdened by my fast … and very slowly did I get anything done. However, I read a passage from The Way of the Pilgrim. In it, the merchant on his way to becoming a monk tells a story about how God repays richly with good the littlest thing we give Him. This reinforces what Elder Joseph said (in his 4th letter) that even when grace withdraws, and the soul descends, and everything is carnal, how necessary it is still to cry to the name of Jesus — even when it seems there is nothing in return. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.
The Lord’s mercy is so great that even our distracted prayers he uses for some good. It is much easier for me to pray today. I am energized by food, which is of course part of nature, but in Him we live and move and have our being.
Excerpt from March 7, 2020
Read previous offerings:
The end of all beauties (November 21st)
“Memento mori” (November 18th)
“Root out my sin” (November 15th)
“Let me suffer” (November 12th)
Why the title? About the Offerings of Isaac