On Avoiding Talkativeness (2)

On Avoiding Talkativeness: (2)

We must watch and pray (Matt. 26:41) that our time may not be spent
fruitlessly. When it is right and proper to speak, speak to edify
(Eph. 4:29). Evil habits and neglect of spiritual progress are the
main cause of our failure to guard the tongue (James 3:5). But devout
conversation on spiritual matters greatly furthers our spiritual
progress, especially with those who are heart and soul with us in the
service of God (Acts 2:42).
--Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 10

Meditation for the Day
Cling to the belief that all things are possible with God. If this
belief is truly accepted, it is the ladder upon which a human soul can
climb from the lowest pit of despair to the sublimest heights of peace
of mind. It is possible for God to change your way of living. When you
see the change in another person through the grace of God, you cannot
doubt that all things are possible in the lives of people through the
strength that comes from faith in Him who rules us all.

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August 27th - St. Poemen, abbot

The abbot Poemen was one of the most celebrated of the fathers of the
desert. He forsook the world and went into the Egyptian desert of
Skete, one elder and several younger brothers of his accompanying him.
In 408 they were driven away from their first settlement by raids of
Berbers, and took refuge in the ruins of a temple at Terenuthis.
Anubis, the eldest, and Poemen governed the little community of
hermits by turns. Of the twelve hours of the night, four were
allotted to work, four to singing office, and four to sleep ; in the
day they worked till noon, read till three in the afternoon, and then
went to gather firing, food and other necessaries.

St Poemen often passed several days, sometimes a whole week,
without eating, but it was his constant advice to others that their
fasts should be moderate, and that they should take sufficient
nourishment every day: "We fast", he said, "to control our bodies,
not to kill them." But he taught that no monk ought ever to taste
wine or to seek any deliberate gratification of the senses: "for
sensuality expels the spirit of penance and the holy fear of God from
the heart as smoke drives away bees; it extinguishes grace, and
deprives a soul of the comfort and presence of the Holy Ghost".

St Poemen feared the least occasion that could interrupt his solitude,
or make the distractions of the world break in upon him; and on one
occasion he even went so far as to refuse to see his mother, foregoing
that happiness then that they might enjoy it more hereafter. He is
chiefly remembered for his "sayings". Among them it is related that,
when one who had committed a fault told him he would do penance for it
three years, the saint advised him to confine his penance to three
days, but to be very fervent about it. A monk was grievously molested
with thoughts of blasphemy; Poemen comforted him, and bade him
confidently say to the Devil, whenever he suggested any abominable
thought, "May your blasphemy fall on you; it is not mine, for my heart
detests it". But to another who spoke of the Devil he said, "Devil!
It's always the Devil that's blamed. I say that it's self-will." And
another time, "Never try to have your own way. Those who are self-
willed are their own worst tempters, and require no devil to tempt
them." St Poemen used strongly to exhort to frequent communion and to
a great desire for that divine food, as the stag pants after the water-
brooks. "Some aver", said he, "that stags feel a violent inward heat
and thirst because in the desert they eat serpents and their bowels
are parched with the poison. Thus souls in the wilderness of this
world always suck in something of its poison, and so need perpetually
to approach the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which fortifies them
against all such venom." To one who complained that his neighbour was
a monk of whom derogatory tales were told, and gave the authority of
another monk to prove their truth, he said, "There could not be worse
evidence than scandalous stories told by a monk; by telling them he
shows himself unworthy of credence". It was another saying of this
abbot that "silence is no virtue when charity requires speech"; that
"people should not waste other people's time by asking advice when no
advice is necessary or wanted" ; and that "a living faith consists in
thinking little of oneself and having tenderness towards others".

St Poemen took over complete control of the community on the death
of Anubis. "We lived together", he said, "in complete unity and
unbroken peace till death broke up our association. We followed the
rule Anubis made for us; one was appointed steward, and he had care of
our meals. We ate such things as were set before us, and no one
said, "Give me something else; I cannot eat this." He returned from
Terenuthis to Skete but was again driven out by raids. Later he was
present at the death of St Arsenius on the rock of Troe, near Memphis
"Happy Arsenius!" he cried, "who had the gift of tears in this
life! For he who does not weep for his sins on earth will bewail them
for ever in eternity." St Poemen himself died very soon afterwards.
He is named in the Roman Martyrology and in the Byzantine liturgical
books is referred to as "the lamp of the universe and pattern of
monks". Noted for his saintly demeanor, his wisdom, and his insistence
upon frequent Communion.

A short Greek life with other miscellaneous references will be found
in the Acta Sanctorum, August vol. vi; but the most convenient source
of information concerning Poemen and the other fathers of the desert
is the Vitae Patrum of Father Rosweyde. His "sayings" are printed in
Migne, PG., vol. lxv, cc. 317-368.


Saint Quote:
Remember that the Christian life is one of action; not of speech and
daydreams. Let there be few words and many deeds, and let them be done
well.
-- St Vincent Pallotti

Bible Quote:
The eyes of Jehovah are in every place, beholding the evil and the
good. (Prov 15-3)


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A Prayer of Father Pro

"Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive,
more replete with afflictions? Blessed be He a thousand times who
desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and
only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord
Jesus Christ. Love without egotism, without relying on self, but
enkindling in the depth of the heart an ardent thirst to love and
suffer for all those around us: a thirst that neither misfortune nor
contempt can extinguish... I believe, O Lord; but strengthen my
faith... Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love. Heart of
Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence. Heart
of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it
may never be separated from Thee. Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but
take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice
even unto the complete sacrifice of my life."


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