Macarius of Egypt, Homilies 7

Of various temptations, but when she gives birth, that is, is perfected, she rejoices continually with inexpressible joy, because a heavenly and new m

The birds of the sky flying in the air rest in it. likewise also is the life of souls, and the air of those having the wings of the spirit is above in

Prepares himself, is pained and distressed by not acting manfully such a one does not become a child of life, since he has not become an imitator and

Therefore, to always examine ourselves and to search our hearts, so that we may know our own faults, trusting in the deliverer of our souls, christ, t

Knowing that you do this not to a man but to god who said, he who hears you hears me, and in lying and withholding what you have brought to god do you

Of a greater judgment than the enumerated evils through such a renunciation, he would have freed the ascetic, together with the brotherhood, from labo

It is necessary to have unceasing remembrance of god and confidence, and so one will be able to wrestle against the evils that beset man, that is, the

For the intention sins when it comes to be with an evil purpose, and sometimes the deed also, when it is done corruptly, or not in the way it ought to

Of salt and if there is taste in empty words, not filled with the testimony of works? 54.9 of abandonments, then, one is for the sake of hidden virtu

I might bear away glory and honor. and paul says, if i do this willingly, i have no reward but if unwillingly, i am entrusted with a stewardship for

To him concerning us. for he only has need of our choice, since he is always ready to have mercy on us and enlighten us, if only we are willing to giv

Unspeakable, so that he weeps, and if the soul were able to leave the body, and to go to the lord. at other times again his soul rejoices within by th

He should bring his thoughts before god by night and day, and weep every hour in the presence of god, and being grieved he should reprove his own soul

he should bring his thoughts before God by night and day, and weep every hour in the presence of God, and being grieved he should reprove his own soul, “How have you been neglectful until today, being desolate all the days?” and that he may remember the punishments and the eternal kingdom, reproving himself every hour and saying, “How has God graced you with all these honors, and you were neglectful? He has made all creation in subjection to you, and you have not transgressed. And when he says these things to his soul, reproving it night and day and every hour, immediately the warmth of God comes to him, which is in every way better than the first. 57.6 For when the blessed David saw a weight come upon him, he said, I considered the days of old, and the eternal years I remembered and I meditated, and again, I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all your works; on the creations of your hands I meditated, I stretched out my hands to you, my soul is as a waterless land to you. and when you turn away, you should give yourself to the meditation of the wonders of God; then you will be saved, by the grace of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit for ever, amen.

λογισμοὺς ἑαυτοῦ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θεοῦ ποιήσῃ νυκτὸς καὶ ἡμέρας, καὶ πᾶσαν ὥραν κλαύσῃ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ λυπούμενος ἐλέγξῃ τὴν ψυχὴν ἑαυτοῦ, ὅτι πῶς ἠμέλησας ἕως τὴν σήμερον, κεχερσωμένη οὖσα πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας; καὶ ἵνα μνημονεύσῃ τῶν κολάσεων καὶ τῆς αἰωνίου βασιλείας ἐλέγχων ἑαυτὸν πάσῃ ὥρᾳ καὶ λέγων, ὅτι πῶς ὁ θεὸς κεχάρισταί σοι πάσας τὰς τιμὰς ταύτας, καὶ σὺ ἠμέλησας; πᾶσαν τὴν κτίσιν ἐν ὑποταγῇ σου πεποίηκε, καὶ οὐκ ἠθέτησας. καὶ ὅταν ταῦτα εἴπῃ τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ, ἐλέγχων αὐτὴν νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν καὶ πᾶσαν ὥραν, εὐθέως ἔρχεται πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡ τοῦ θεοῦ θέρμη, ἡ κατὰ πάντα τῆς πρώτης βελτίων. 57.6 ὅτε γὰρ ὁ μακάριος ∆αβὶδ εἶδε βάρος ἐλθὸν ἐπ' αὐτόν, εἶπε ∆ιελογισάμην ἡμέρας ἀρχαίας, καὶ ἔτη αἰώνια ἐμνήσθην καὶ ἐμελέτησα, καὶ πάλιν Ἐμνήσθην ἡμερῶν ἀρχαίων, ἐμελετήσα ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου· ἐν ποιήμασι τῶν χειρῶν σου ἐμελέτων, διεπετάσα πρὸς σὲ τὰς χεῖράς μου, ἡ ψυχή μου ὡς γῆ ἄνυδρός σοι. καὶ ὅταν ἀποστραφῇς, δῷς ἑαυτὸν εἰς τὴν μελέτην τῶν τοῦ θεοῦ θαυμασίων· τότε σωθήσῃ, χάριτι πατρὸς καὶ υἱοῦ καὶ ἁγίου πνεύματος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ἀμήν.