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that they will stand naked like trees without leaves. Woe to those who do not believe the word of the Lord, that this becomes a tree and sends forth branches, and who seek with diligence and observance of mind the daily growth of this little seed, for they will suffer the loss of this labor, like the servant who foolishly buried the talent; of whom I am one, being inexcusably negligent. O tri-hypostatic light, Father, Son, and Spirit, O unoriginate origin and authority of the origin, (221) O light unnameable as entirely nameless, O again many-named as working all things, O one glory and origin, might and kingdom, O light as one will, mind, counsel, and strength, have mercy, pity me the afflicted! For how can I not be afflicted, how can I not grieve, despising and being slothful toward so much of Your goodness, so much of Your mercy, I who am ungrateful and wretched and who walk laxly in the way of Your commandments? But even now have compassion and now have mercy on me and enkindle the warmth of my heart, my Christ, which the indulgence of my wretched flesh has extinguished, sleep and satiety of the belly and the drinking of much wine. These things have also completely extinguished the flame of my soul and have dried up the spring, the fountain of tears; for warmth begets fire, and fire in turn warmth, and from both is kindled a flame, the spring of tears. The flame sprouts forth streams, and the streams a flame; to which talk of divine things led me, the meditation on Your commandments again and precepts, the observance having taken repentance as a co-worker, and they placed me in the midst of things present and things to come, whence having suddenly been outside of things seen, I fell into fear, seeing from whence I was delivered. And I certainly saw the things to come, though they were far off, and as I longed to attain them, a fire of longing was kindled, and little by little a flame was ineffably seen first in my mind, and later in my heart, and the flame of divine longing gushed forth tears and provided me with unspeakable sweetness along with them. Therefore, having taken courage in myself, that it is not quenched at all, for it is well kindled, I said, and having become slothful