St. Isaac the Syrian on solitude and mercy
What the video says
St. Isaac the Syrian answers a brother who asks why solitaries honor solitude more than mercy when Christ defined mercy as similitude to the Father. He acknowledges the Gospel comparison is valid and tested, and states that solitaries do not honor solitude without mercy.
They try to remain far from care and trouble but do not deny necessary things when they present themselves. They value solitude because in it they are constantly with God and holy virtues, which purifies disturbance and approaches quiet of mind.
When necessity requires, they do not neglect merciful deeds. They compel themselves to be inwardly full of mercy toward all rational beings at all times. Those not wholly under strict solitude still show mercy, and without love of fellow man the mind cannot become illuminated.
Key moments
- 0:00 The brother asks why solitaries honor solitude more than mercy when Christ defined mercy as similitude to the greatness of the Father in heaven.
- 0:30 St. Isaac acknowledges the Gospel comparison is good and tested; solitude is not opposed or rejected as superfluous.
- 1:02 Solitaries do not honor solitude without mercy; they try to remain far from care and trouble but do not deny necessary things when they arise.
- 1:32 They care for solitude because in it they are constantly with God and holy virtues, purifying disturbance and approaching quiet of mind.
- 2:04 When necessary, they will not neglect mercifulness; they compel themselves to be inwardly full of mercy toward all rational beings at all times.
- 2:36 Those not wholly under solitude's rule (meeting once a week) do not cut themselves off from showing mercy; only the very devoted solitary avoids the sight of men.
- 2:36 Without love of fellow man the mind cannot become illuminated, but love unto God exists.
A brother asks St. Isaac the Syrian why solitaries honor solitude more than mercy when Christ defined mercy as similitude to the greatness of the Father in heaven. St. Isaac acknowledges the Gospel comparison is good and tested. He states that solitude is not opposed or rejected as superfluous.
Solitaries do not honor solitude without mercy. They try to remain far from care and trouble but do not deny necessary things when they arise. They care for solitude because in it they are constantly with God and holy virtues, purifying disturbance and approaching quiet of mind. When necessary, they will not neglect mercifulness. They compel themselves to be inwardly full of mercy toward all rational beings at all times.
Those not wholly under solitude's rule, meeting once a week, do not cut themselves off from showing mercy. Only the very devoted solitary avoids the sight of men. Without love of fellow man the mind cannot become illuminated, but love unto God exists.
Main points
- A brother questions why solitaries prioritize solitude over mercy when Christ equates mercy with likeness to the Father
- St. Isaac affirms the Gospel comparison is valid and solitude is not rejected as unnecessary
- Solitaries avoid care and trouble but accept necessary duties when they arise
- Solitude is valued for constant presence with God and virtues, purifying the mind toward quiet
- Mercy is maintained inwardly toward all rational beings and outwardly when required; love of neighbor is essential for illumination of the mind