A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. Proverbs 18:16
“A secular man of devout life came to see Abba Poemen. Now it happened that there were other brethren with the old man, asking to hear a word from him. The old man said to the faithful secular, ‘Say a word to the brothers.’ When he insisted, the secular said, ‘Please excuse me, abba; I myself have come to learn.’ But he was urged on by the old man and so he said, ‘I am a secular, I sell vegetables and do business; I take bundles to pieces, and make smaller ones; I buy cheap and sell dear. What is more I do not know how to speak of the Scriptures; so I will tell you a parable.
A man said to his friends, “I want to go to see the emperor; come with me.” One friend said to him, “I will go with you half the way.” Then he said to another friend, “Come and go with me to the emperor,” and he said to him, “I will take you as far as the emperor’s palace.” He said to a third friend, “Come with me to the emperor.” He said, “I will come and take you to the palace and I will stay and speak and help you to have access to the emperor.” ‘ They asked what was the point of the parable. He answered them, ‘The first friend is asceticism, which leads the way; the second is chastity which takes us to heaven; and the third is almsgiving which with confidence presents us to God our King.’ The brethren withdrew edified.”
Abba Poemen (340-450) Egyptian Coptic Monk in The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo: Cisterian, 1975) 182-183. Enjoy the new header photo shot on our twice daily walk in Christensen Park with our dog, Joy.
In this scene, the “Faithful Secular” visits Abba Poemen and asks for a word. Surprisingly, the tables are turned. Abba Poemen insists that the humble vegetable seller shares a word with them. His parable contains a strong message and gives a glimpse into the mindset of the Christian community of the desert at this time.
In the parable, the first friend, asceticism, refers to detachment from things. It’s vital for anyone who wants to live the Christian life and be generous. But it only takes us halfway. We must attach to Christ. This is the chastity piece. And then, Christ calls us to share what we have with the poor, which is the almsgiving piece.
Detach from things. Attach to Christ. Share generously with those in need. Do this, and Christ Himself testifies that it is the same as doing it for Him. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40
Lent begins on 17 February 2021. Easter is 4 April 2021. Start considering this question now. What will I fast or detach from, so that my hands, head, and heart are free to attach to Christ? With the intentionality of the faithful secular, let us create margin for generosity to those in need in obedience to the Risen King Jesus!