The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian - Homily IV, Part IX

St. Isaac speaks with the voice of one who has tasted what he teaches. His words carry both severity and sweetness, and at their heart lies a single call: to love God with such singleness that all else is left behind, and to find rest in Him alone.

He begins by speaking of reading. For the one who prays, reading is no small companion. Instead of being filled with scattered memories and impressions of the world, the soul, when nourished by Scripture, finds within itself a treasury for prayer. The words of God become recollections that rise up during stillness, offering the mind holy material with which to converse with God. Sometimes these recollections themselves are so sweet, so overwhelming, that they silence the heart entirely and leave the soul motionless before God. Reading thus becomes a doorway into the mysteries of prayer—not as an exercise of intellect alone, but as communion, as a sacrament of remembrance that enlightens the heart.

But to enter such prayer, St. Isaac reminds us, requires renunciation. A heart weighted with possessions or concerns is like wet wood that cannot be set aflame. Divine fervor does not ignite in a soul that loves ease. The words are stark, even offensive, but they uncover the truth: we cannot serve two masters. Only the one purified of worldly entanglements will be able to bear witness to the sweetness of God’s mysteries, for true knowledge is born only of experience, not of hearsay.

Yet this renunciation is not negation alone. It must take flesh in mercy. St. Isaac turns us to almsgiving, the act that draws the heart most near to God. To give freely, without discrimination between worthy and unworthy, without expectation of return, is to love as God Himself loves. Poverty chosen for Christ becomes a higher wealth, freeing the mind for serenity and boldness in prayer. Still, even here he warns us of subtle temptations: one may come to love possessions “for the sake of almsgiving,” and thus re-enter turmoil. Almsgiving is holy, but stillness is higher, for in stillness the soul communes with God directly, free of all care.

This is St. Isaac’s vision—severe, yes, but radiant: to become all flame with the love of God, to renounce all so that one might rest in Him, and in that rest, to discover the joy of unceasing prayer and the inexhaustible fountain of His mercy. Here, and here alone, the soul finds the rest of love.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:10:46 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 149, last sentence on page

00:22:51 Diana Cleveland: I have found that is to be really true. It is easy to get hyper fixed on self instead of meditating on God.

00:24:14 Diana Cleveland: *hyperfixated

00:32:01 Lou Judd: Question: Father, if we are suffering or are distracted or angered by the situation of the Church, what leaders are doing… and that is distracting and upsetting you … what do you do?

00:39:44 David Swiderski, WI: I remember something from Chesterton who mentioned when someone stole his umbrella at a catholic church he knew it as the right place for him a sinner. Sometimes our pride can get in the way. I learned a long time ago to stop listening to a largely anti catholic media and read what actually is written by the church or Vatican. I prefer a more traditional mass but will go anywhere and in any language where the eucharist is present.

00:40:25 Diana Cleveland: I think of the lamentations of the minor prophets at times of anger.

00:41:03 Catherine: Reacted to I remember something... with "😂"

00:41:22 Lou Judd: You’re absolutely right, Father. But it’s so hard to hear. I don’t know how.

00:42:54 Anthony: Anger over injustice is an ingrained feeling in a "Republic" in which everyone is made to feel responsible for the actions of our leaders and society.

00:43:39 Lilly: The crucifixion itself made the Apostles scatter. Let us stay close to Our Lady in times of disturbances

00:44:40 Jessica Imanaka: Would that process be akin to Cassian's recommendations in the Institutes to meditate on certain scripture passages to drive out the passions?

00:46:39 Jessica Imanaka: It frustrates me when I find myself caught in the grip of some dark passion like anger just hours after having a really great prayer. It always feels like the prayer should have a more stable effect on my day.

00:49:10 susan: so timely  Charlie Kirk  shot and killed today  so much anger tears sad  some people laughing,so upsetting

00:49:38 David Swiderski, WI: "Talking back" by Evagius has scripture for every one of the evil thoughts. I thought this little book was helpful for me . The arrow prayers when practiced seem to change the day.

00:49:50 Jessica Imanaka: Reacted to ""Talking back" by Ev..." with 👍

00:50:08 carolnypaver: Reacted to ""Talking back" by Ev..." with ❤️

00:50:26 Jessica Imanaka: So if we can't memorize the relevant scriptures, default to the Jesus Prayer?

00:50:33 Jessica Imanaka: scripture passages

00:54:29 Lou Judd: https://mothersforpriests.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/jumbo-prayers-of-st-john-chrysostom01.pdf

00:54:29 David Swiderski, WI: jumbo-prayers-of-st-john-chrysostom01.pdf

00:55:07 Jessica Imanaka: Reacted to "https://mothersforpr..." with ❤️

00:55:26 Jessica Imanaka: Reacted to "jumbo-prayers-of-st-..." with ❤️

00:56:10 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 150, #29, last full paragraph on page

01:05:44 Ryan Ngeve: Father what does St Isaac mean by “The rank of love is more initiated than the rank of labor for God”

01:07:55 Gwen’s iPhone: and we are easily confused.

01:14:42 Anthony: Credo ut intelligam becomes more understandable when I / we probe solely by way of reason and then find we've almost lost something valuable

01:17:29 Jonathan Grobler: Christ seems to prefer sheep over goats.

01:17:48 Lou Judd: In some of your emails this week it kind of sounded like you might want to stop these, Father. Please don’t. Also has something changed in your personal situation? I don’t quite understand everything that has happened to you. God bless you and thank you

01:19:30 Elizabeth Richards: I find it helpful & rich 🙂

01:19:36 Jessica Imanaka: Reacted to "I find it helpful & ..." with 👍

01:20:03 David Swiderski, WI: Thank you Father may God bless you and your mother

01:20:15 Maureen Cunningham: Blessing ThankYou

01:20:18 Janine: Thank you Father!

01:20:54 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father!

01:20:58 Diana Cleveland: Thank you!

01:20:59 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you and bless you, Father.

01:21:00 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️

01:22:06 Janine: Yes Father …I think that makes sense….

01:22:50 Art iPhone: Thank you Father!