I am still Abba Lot

During Lent, I am often reminded of this, one of my favourite stories from the Desert Fathers:

Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him, “Abba, as far as I can I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?”

Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, “If you will, you can become all flame”.

(Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Abba Joseph of Panephysis)

I very much identify with Abba Lot. There’s a quantum shift – a transfiguration, if you will – that I must pass through before I can share the divine life in the way that Abba Joseph did.

Perhaps that moment is as late as a liminal space between this world and the next. Perhaps that moment will happen today. Who knows? I will leave it in God’s hands.

In the meantime, as far as I can I say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace and as far as I can, I purify my thoughts.

A blessed Lent to you all!