Demonstration 6: On Monks, Part 1

What I am saying is a word to our advantage, and worthy to be received. Let us now wake from our sleep, and lift up both our hearts and our hands to God toward heaven, so that the Lord of the house does not come suddenly, and so that when he comes he may find us watching. Let us keep the appointed time of the glorious bridegroom, so that we may go in with him into his bridal chamber. Let us prepare oil for our lamps, so that we may go out to meet him with joy. Let us make ready provisions for our dwelling place, for the way that is narrow and hard. And let us put away and throw off all uncleanness, and put on wedding garments. Let us trade with the silver we have received, so that we may be called diligent servants. Let us be constant in prayer, so that we may pass by the place where fear dwells. Let us cleanse our heart of wrongdoing, so that we may see the Lofty One in his honor. Let us be merciful, as it is written, so that God may have mercy on us. Let there be peace among us, so that we may be called the brothers of Christ. Let us hunger for righteousness, so that we may be filled from the table of his kingdom. Let us be the salt of truth, so that we do not become food for the serpent. Let us clear our seed of thorns, so that we may bear fruit a hundredfold. Let us found our building on the rock, so that it is not shaken by the winds and waves. Let us be vessels for honor, so that the Lord may want us for his use. Let us sell all we own and buy the pearl for ourselves, so that we may be rich. Let us store up our treasures in heaven, so that when we come there we may open them and enjoy them. Let us visit our Lord in the persons of the sick, so that he may invite us to stand at his right hand. Let us hate ourselves and love Christ, as he loved us and gave himself up for us. Let us honor the spirit of Christ, so that we may receive grace from him. Let us be strangers to the world, just as Christ was not of it. Let us be humble and gentle, so that we may inherit the land of life. Let us never tire in his service, so that he may have us serve in the dwelling of the saints. Let us pray his prayer in purity, so that it may find its way to the Lord of Majesty. Let us share in his suffering, so that we may also rise in his resurrection. Let us bear his sign on our bodies, so that we may be rescued from the wrath to come. For the day on which he comes is terrible, and who can endure it? His wrath is furious and hot, and it will destroy all the wicked. Let us put the helmet of redemption on our heads, so that we are not wounded and killed in the battle. Let us belt our waists with truth, so that we are not found powerless in the contest. Let us get up and wake Christ, so that he may calm the stormy winds for us. Let us take the readiness of the gospel of our Redeemer as a shield against the Evil One. Let us receive power from our Lord to tread on snakes and scorpions. Let us put away anger, with all fury and malice. Let no abuse come out of our mouth, the mouth with which we pray to God. Let us not be people who curse, so that we may be set free from the curse of the law. Let us be diligent workers, so that we may receive our reward with those of old. Let us take up the burden of the day, so that we may seek a richer reward. Let us not be idle workers, for look, our Lord has hired us for his vineyard. Let us be planted as vines in the middle of his vineyard, for it is the true vineyard. Let us be fruitful vines, so that we are not uprooted from his vineyard. Let us be a sweet fragrance, so that our scent may breathe out to all around us. Let us be poor in the world, and let us make many rich by the teaching of our Lord. Let us call no one on earth our father, so that we may be the children of the Father who is in heaven. Though we have nothing, yet we possess all things. Though no one knows us, yet those who know us are many. Let us rejoice in our hope at all times, so that he who is our hope and our Redeemer may rejoice in us. Let us judge ourselves rightly and condemn ourselves, so that we do not hang our heads before the judges who will sit on thrones and judge the tribes. Let us take the readiness of the gospel as armor for the contest. Let us knock at the door of heaven, so that it may be opened before us, and we may go in through it. Let us earnestly ask for mercy, so that we may receive whatever we need. Let us seek his kingdom and his righteousness, so that we may receive increase in the land. Let us set our minds on the things above, the heavenly things, and meditate on them, where Christ has been lifted up and exalted. But let us leave the world, which is not ours, so that we may arrive at the place to which we have been invited. Let us lift our eyes on high, so that we may see the splendor that will be revealed. Let us lift up our wings like eagles, so that we may see the body where it is. Let us prepare desirable fruits as offerings for the King: fasting and prayer. Let us guard his pledge in purity, so that he may trust us with all his treasury. For whoever deals falsely with his pledge is not allowed into the treasure house. Let us take care of the body of Christ, so that our bodies may rise at the sound of the trumpet. Let us listen to the voice of the bridegroom, so that we may go in with him into the bridal chamber. Let us prepare the wedding gift for his wedding day, and let us go out to meet him with joy. Let us put on holy clothing, so that we may recline in the place of honor among the chosen. Whoever does not put on wedding clothes is thrown out into the outer darkness. Whoever excuses himself from the wedding will not taste the feast. Whoever loves fields and trade will be shut out of the city of the saints. Whoever does not bear fruit in the vineyard will be uprooted and thrown out to torment. Whoever has received money from his Lord, let him return it to its Giver with its increase. Whoever wants to become a merchant, let him buy for himself the field and the treasure that is in it. Whoever receives the good seed, let him clear his land of thorns. Whoever wants to be a fisherman, let him cast out his net at all times. Whoever is training for the contest, let him keep himself from the world. Whoever wants to win the crown, let him run like a winner in the race. Whoever wants to go down into the arena to compete, let him learn to contend against his opponent. Whoever wants to go down to the battle, let him take up armor to fight with, and let him purify himself at all times. Whoever takes on the likeness of the angels, let him be a stranger to people. Whoever takes on himself the yoke of the saints, let him put away getting and spending. Whoever wants to gain himself, let him put away the gain of the world. Whoever loves the dwelling that is in heaven, let him not toil at a building of clay, which will fall. Whoever expects to be caught up in the clouds, let him not make himself decorated carriages. Whoever is looking for the wedding feast of the Bridegroom, let him not love the feasting of the present time. Whoever wants to enjoy the banquet reserved there, let him put drunkenness away from himself. Whoever is preparing himself for the supper, let him not make excuses or be a merchant. Whoever it is on whom the good seed falls, let him not allow the Evil One to sow weeds in him. Whoever has begun to build a tower, let him count up all its cost. Whoever builds ought to finish, so that he does not become a laughingstock to those who pass by on the road. Whoever sets his building on the rock, let him make its foundations deep, so that the waves do not knock it down. Whoever wants to escape the darkness, let him walk while he has the light. Whoever fears having to flee in winter, let him prepare himself in the summertime. Whoever looks forward to entering into rest, let him get his provisions ready for the Sabbath. Whoever begs forgiveness from his Lord, let him also forgive his debtor. Whoever does not demand back a hundred denarii, his Lord forgives him ten thousand talents. Whoever puts his Lord’s money down on the banker’s table will not be called a worthless servant. Whoever loves humility will be an heir in the land of life. Whoever wants to make peace will be one of the sons of God. Whoever knows his Lord’s will, let him do that will, so that he is not beaten with many blows. Whoever cleanses his heart of deceit, his eyes will see the King in his beauty. Whoever receives the Spirit of Christ, let him adorn his inner self. Whoever is called the temple of God, let him purify his body of all uncleanness. Whoever grieves the Spirit of Christ will not lift his head up out of grief. Whoever receives the body of Christ, let him keep his body from all uncleanness. Whoever has thrown off the old self, let him not turn back to his former works. Whoever puts on the new self, let him keep himself from all filth. Whoever has put on armor from the water of baptism, let him not take his armor off, so that he is not condemned. Whoever takes up the shield against the Evil One, let him guard himself against the arrows he shoots at him. Whoever draws back, his Lord takes no pleasure in him. Whoever thinks on the law of his Lord will not be troubled by the thoughts of this world. Whoever meditates on the law of his Lord is like a tree planted by the waters. And whoever trusts in his Lord is like a tree set out by the river. Whoever puts his trust in man will receive the curses of Jeremiah. Whoever is invited to the Bridegroom, let him prepare himself. Whoever has lit his lamp, let him not let it go out. Whoever is waiting for the wedding cry, let him take oil in his flask. Whoever keeps the door, let him watch for his Master. Whoever loves virginity, let him become like Elijah. Whoever takes up the yoke of the saints, let him sit and be silent. Whoever loves peace, let him look for his Master as the hope of life. [a]

For, my beloved, our adversary is skillful. The one who fights against us is crafty. He readies himself against the brave and the renowned, so that they may be weakened. For the weak are already his, and he does not fight those he has already taken captive. Whoever has wings flies away from him, and the arrows he shoots do not reach him. Those who are spiritual see him when he attacks, and his full armor has no power over their bodies. All the children of light are unafraid of him, because darkness flees before the light. The children of the Good do not fear the Evil One, for God has given him to be trampled under their feet. When he makes himself like darkness to them, they become light. And when he creeps up on them like a serpent, they become salt, which he cannot eat. If he makes himself like an asp to them, they become like little children. If he comes at them through the craving for food, they conquer him by fasting, as our Redeemer did. If he wants to fight them through the craving of the eyes, they lift their eyes to the height of heaven. If he wants to overcome them by enticements, they do not give him a hearing. If he wants to fight them openly, look, they are clothed in full armor and stand up against him. If he wants to get at them through sleep, they are wakeful and watchful, and sing psalms and pray. If he lures them with possessions, they give them to the poor. If he comes at them as something sweet, they do not taste it, knowing that he is bitter. If he inflames them with the desire of Eve, they live alone, and not with the daughters of Eve. [l]

For it was through Eve that he got at Adam, and Adam was enticed because he had no experience. And again he came against Joseph through his master’s wife, but Joseph knew his craftiness and would not give him a hearing. Through a woman he fought against Samson, until he took away his Nazirite consecration. Reuben was the firstborn of all his brothers, and through his father’s wife the adversary put a stain on him. Aaron was the great high priest of the house of Israel, and through his sister Miriam he envied Moses. Moses was sent to rescue the people from Egypt, and he took with him the woman who urged him to shameful acts; and the Lord met Moses and wanted to kill him, until he sent his wife back to Midian. David was victorious in all his battles, yet through a daughter of Eve a stain was found in him. Amnon was handsome and fair of face, yet the adversary took him captive by desire for his sister, and Absalom killed him because of the humiliation of Tamar. Solomon was greater than all the kings of the earth, yet in his old age his wives led his heart astray. Through Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, Ahab’s wickedness grew, and he became wholly a pagan. Further, the adversary tested Job through his children and his possessions. When he could not overcome him, he went and brought his armor against him. He came bringing with him a daughter of Eve, who had made Adam sink, and through her mouth he said to Job, her righteous husband, “Curse God.” But Job rejected her advice. King Asa also defeated the Accursed-of-Life when he tried to get at him through his mother. For Asa knew his craftiness, and removed his mother from her high rank, and cut her idol to pieces and threw it down. John was greater than all the prophets, yet Herod killed him because of the dancing of a daughter of Eve. Haman was wealthy and third in honor after the king, yet his wife advised him to destroy the Jews. Zimri was the head of the tribe of Simeon, yet Cozbi, the daughter of the chiefs of Midian, brought him down; and because of one woman, twenty-four thousand of Israel fell in one day. [m]

Therefore, my brothers, if any man who is a monk or a saint, who loves to live alone, still wants a woman bound by a monastic vow like his own to live with him, it would be better for him in that case to take a wife openly, and not be made wanton by lust. In the same way, if the woman is not separated from the one who lives alone, it is better for her to marry openly. So woman ought to live with woman, and man with man. And also, whatever man wants to continue in holiness, let his wife not live with him, so that he does not turn back to his former state and so be counted an adulterer. Therefore this advice that I give to myself and to you is fitting and right and good: to you, my beloved ones who live alone and do not take wives, and to the virgins who do not marry, and to those who have loved holiness. It is just and right and fitting that, even if a man is distressed, he should continue alone. This is how it is fitting for him to live, as it is written in the prophet Jeremiah: “Blessed is the man who will take up your yoke in his youth, and sit alone and be silent, because he has taken your yoke upon him.” For in this way, my beloved, it is fitting for the one who takes up the yoke of Christ to keep his yoke in purity. [q]

For this is what is written about Moses, my beloved: from the time the Holy One was revealed to him, he too loved holiness. And from the time he was made holy, his wife did not attend to him. Instead it is written, “Joshua the son of Nun was Moses’ attendant from his childhood.” And it is written again about Joshua that he would not leave the tabernacle. And the temporary tabernacle was not served by a woman, because the law did not allow women to go into the temporary tabernacle; even when they came to pray, they would pray at its door and then turn back. Moreover, he commanded the priests that during the time of their service they should remain in holiness and not know their wives. And about Elijah too it is written that at one time he lived on Mount Carmel and at another by the brook Cherith, and was attended by his disciple. Because his heart was in heaven, the bird of heaven used to bring him food; and because he took on the likeness of the angels of heaven, those very angels brought him bread and water when he was fleeing from Jezebel. And because he set all his thought on heaven, he was taken up to heaven in the chariot of fire, and there his dwelling place was established forever. Elisha also walked in his master’s footsteps. He used to stay in the upper room of the Shunammite woman, and was attended by his disciple. For this is what the Shunammite woman said: “He is a holy prophet of God and passes our way continually, for it befits his holiness that we should make an upper room for him, and do for him the service that is needed in it.” Now what was the service needed in Elisha’s upper room? Clearly only the bed and table and stool and lampstand. But what shall we say about John? He too lived among people, and kept his virginity honorably, and received the Spirit of God. Moreover, the blessed apostle said about himself and about Barnabas, “Did we not have the right to eat and to drink, and to take wives about with us? But it was not fitting or right.” [s]

Therefore, brothers, we know and have seen that from the beginning it was through woman that the adversary gained access to men, and to the end he will accomplish it through her. For she is Satan’s weapon, and through her he fights against the champions. Through her he makes music at all times, for she became like a harp for him from the first day. Because of her the curse of the law was established, and because of her the promise to death was made. For she bears children in pain and hands them over to death. Because of her the earth was cursed, to bring forth thorns and weeds. And so, by the coming of the offspring of the Blessed Mary, the thorns are uprooted, the sweat is wiped away, the fig tree is cursed, the dust is made salt, the curse is nailed to the cross, the edge of the sword is removed from before the tree of life and the tree is given as food to the faithful, and Paradise is promised to the blessed, to virgins and to the saints. So the fruit of the tree of life is given as food to the faithful and to virgins, and for those who do the will of God the door has been opened and the way made plain. And the fountain flows and gives drink to the thirsty. The table is set and the supper prepared. The fattened ox is slaughtered and the cup of redemption mixed. The feast is prepared, and the Bridegroom is at hand, soon to take his place. The apostles have given the invitation, and those called are very many. You chosen ones, prepare yourselves! The light has shone out, bright and fair, and garments not made with hands are prepared. The wedding cry is at hand. The tombs will be opened and the treasures laid bare. The dead will rise, and the living will fly to meet the King. The banquet is set; the horn will rouse them, and the trumpets will hurry them on. The Watchers of heaven will speed, and the throne will be set for the Judge. He who labored will rejoice, and he who was useless will be afraid. He who did evil will not come near the Judge. Those on the right hand will exult, and those on the left will weep and wail. Those who are in the light will be glorified, and those who are in the darkness will groan for something to moisten their tongue. Grace has gone by, and justice reigns. There is no repentance in that place. Winter is at hand; the summer has passed. The Sabbath of rest has come; toil has ceased. Night has passed; the light reigns. As for death, its sting is broken, and it is swallowed up in life. Those who go back to Sheol will weep and grind their teeth, and those who go to the kingdom will rejoice and exult and dance and sing praises. For those who do not take wives will be served by the Watchers of heaven. Those who keep chastity will rest in the sanctuary of the Most High. The only Son, who is from the bosom of his Father, will make all who live alone rejoice. There, there is neither male nor female, neither slave nor free, but they are all children of the Most High. And all the pure virgins who are betrothed to Christ will light their lamps and go with the Bridegroom into the bridal chamber. All who are betrothed to Christ are far removed from the curse of the law, and are redeemed from the sentence on the daughters of Eve; for they are not married to men, so as to receive the curses and come into the pains. They give no thought to death, because they do not hand children over to him. And instead of a mortal husband, they are betrothed to Christ. And because they do not bear children, they are given the name that is better than sons and daughters. Instead of the groans of the daughters of Eve, they sing the songs of the Bridegroom. The wedding feast of the daughters of Eve lasts only seven days; but these virgins have the Bridegroom, who never departs. The finery of the daughters of Eve is wool that wears out and perishes, but the garments of these do not wear out. Old age withers the beauty of the daughters of Eve, but the beauty of these will be renewed at the time of the resurrection. [u]

You virgins who have betrothed yourselves to Christ: when one of the monks says to one of you, “I will live with you, and you will wait on me,” this is what you are to say to him: “I am betrothed to a royal husband, and him I serve. If I leave his service and serve you, my betrothed will be angry with me, and will write me a letter of divorce and send me away from his house. And while you seek to be honored by me, and I to be honored by you, take care that harm does not come on me and on you. Do not take fire into your lap, or it will burn your clothes. Rather, stay in honor alone, and I too will stay alone in my honor. And as for the things the Bridegroom has prepared for his eternal wedding feast, make yourself a wedding gift and prepare yourself to meet him. As for me, I will make oil ready, so that I may go in with the wise virgins and not be kept outside the door with the foolish virgins.” [x]

Listen then, my beloved, to what I am writing to you, that is, the things that befit those who live alone, monks, virgins and saints. First of all, it befits the man on whom the yoke has been laid that his faith be firm, as I wrote to you in the first letter; that he be zealous in fasting and prayer; that he be fervent in the love of Christ; and that he be humble and gentle and wise. Let his speech be peaceful and pleasant, and his thought sincere toward everyone. Let him weigh his words carefully as he speaks them, and set a barrier at his mouth against harmful words, and put hasty laughter far from him. Let him not love fine clothes; nor is it fitting for him to let his hair grow long and adorn it, or to anoint it with sweet-smelling ointments. Let him not recline at banquets, nor is it fitting for him to wear splendid clothes. Let him not dare to drink too much wine. Let him put proud thoughts far from him. It is not fitting for him to look at splendid clothes or to wear fine garments. Let him put away a crafty tongue; let him drive envy and anger from him, and throw away crafty lips. Words spoken about a man when the one they are spoken about is not present, let him neither listen to nor accept, so that he does not sin, until he has looked into them. Mockery is a hateful fault, and it is not right to let it rise up in the heart. Let him not lend and take interest, and let him not love greed. Let him suffer wrong and not do wrong. Further, let him put away turmoil, and let him not speak joking words. Let him not scorn anyone who is repenting of his sins; let him not mock his brother who is fasting; and let him not shame the one who cannot fast. Where he is welcomed, let him correct; and where they do not welcome him, let him be mindful of his own honor. Let him speak his word at a fitting time; otherwise, let him be silent. Let him not make himself despised by begging for his belly’s sake. Let him reveal his secret to someone who fears God, but keep himself from the evil man. Let him not speak to please a wicked man, or his enemy. And let him so strive as to have no enemy at all. When people envy him for what is good, let him add to his goodness, and let him not be harmed by envy. When he has something and gives to the poor, let him rejoice; and when he has nothing, let it not grieve him. Let him have no dealings with a wicked man, and let him not talk with a scornful man, or he will give himself over to scorn. Let him not argue with a blasphemer, or his Lord will be blasphemed because of him. Let him keep away from a slanderer; and let no man please another with smooth words. These are the things that befit those who live alone, who take up the heavenly yoke and become disciples of Christ. For this is how it befits the disciples of Christ to be like Christ their Master. [y]

Let us take our pattern, my beloved, from our Savior. Though he was rich, he made himself poor. Though he was exalted, he humbled his majesty. Though his dwelling was in heaven, he had nowhere to lay his head. Though he is to come on the clouds, he rode on a colt and so entered Jerusalem. Though he is God and the Son of God, he took on himself the likeness of a servant. Though he was rest from all weariness for others, he himself grew tired from the weariness of the journey. Though he was the fountain that quenches thirst, he himself was thirsty and asked for water. Though he was abundance and satisfied our hunger, he himself was hungry when he went out into the wilderness to be tempted. Though he was a Watcher who does not slumber, he slumbered and slept in the boat in the middle of the sea. Though he was served in the tabernacle of his Father, he let himself be served by human hands. Though he was the healer of all the sick, nails were driven into his hands. Though his mouth brought forth good things, they gave him gall to eat. Though he wronged no one and harmed no one, he was beaten with whips and endured shame. And though he was the Savior of all mortals, he gave himself up to death on the cross. [z]