Week 4 - Thursday

Bible Passage

Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Commentary

Abba Macarius and the Holy Women

Hearing this, the elder rose early in the morning, took his staff, and went into the city. When he arrived, he found the house where the two women lived, knocked on the door, and was received with joy. He said to them: "I have come from the desert to learn of your good works; tell me what you do, that you have been counted worthy of such a great measure of virtue."

But the women, surprised, said to him: "Truly, Abba, we live with our husbands, and what virtue do you see in us?"

The elder persisted, urging them to speak openly, and at last, they said: "We are married to two brothers, and we have lived together in one house for fifteen years. We have never spoken a harsh or insulting word to each other, nor have we quarreled. We wished to become nuns, but since our husbands would not permit it, we made a vow before God that, until our death, we would never speak a worldly word, but only remain in harmony, fasting and praying as much as we could."

Hearing this, Abba Macarius marveled and said: "Indeed, in fasting and asceticism I have surpassed you, but in humility, self-denial, and love, you have surpassed me." And he glorified God, returning to his cell with the realization that virtue is not found in the outward state of life, but in the disposition of the heart.