Athonite Audio
YouTube
To please God, treat human honor and dishonor as nothing
6:53
The video presents Hypothesis 25 from the Evergetinos, a collection of sayings from the Desert Fathers. The hypothesis states that one who seeks to please God must regard as nothing the honors or dishonors that come from men. Abba Macarius illustrates this by sending a brother to a cemetery to insult the dead and then to praise them.
The dead do not react to either. Macarius tells the brother to become like the dead, disregarding both insult and praise, as the only way to be saved. Amma Sarah adds that she would rather pray for a pure heart toward all than for the approval of all men, because seeking universal approval would require constant repentance. Further sayings warn against desiring that men not despise you, and against reputation exceeding deeds.
Abba Anthony foretells a time when the world will call the sane mad, and the one striving for piety should pay no attention. St. Ephrem cites Isaiah 51:7-8 and 50:5-7 to urge steadfastness when reproached for good deeds, not to be ashamed or abandon the straight path. He also cites Psalm 26:3, Psalm 68:8, and Matthew 5:11 to encourage not being fainthearted when insulted for doing good.
St. Ephrem warns against familiarity and laughter that destroy a monk's soul. St. Mark states that mockery of the repentant proves they are well pleasing to God. Abba John the Short teaches that honoring God brings honor from all, while despising God brings universal contempt. Abba Mateos praises Abba Tithoes as an exact balance who speaks only of what has worth.
Key moments
- Hypothesis 25 states that he who seeks to please God must reckon as nothing the dishonors or honors that come from men.
- Abba Macarius tells a brother to go to the graves and insult the dead, then later to return and praise them, to show that the dead do not respond to either insult or praise.
- Abba Macarius teaches the brother to become as one dead, regarding neither the dishonor nor the honor of men, as the only way to be saved.
- Amma Sarah says she would rather pray for a pure heart toward all than for the approval of all men, because seeking universal approval would require constant repentance.
- Abba Anthony says a time will come when men will be mad and will attack the one who is not mad, but the one striving for piety should pay no attention to them.
- St. Ephrem teaches that if reproached for a good deed, one should not be ashamed or do wrong to gain praise, citing Isaiah 51:7-8 and 50:5-7.
- St. Ephrem urges not to be fainthearted when insulted for doing good, citing Psalm 26:3, Psalm 68:8, and Matthew 5:11.
- St. Mark says he who truly repents is mocked by the iniquitous, and this mockery is proof that he is well pleasing to God.