The teacher

(Quotations from Desert Fathers)

The need for a teacher

A brother asked Abba Poemen, "Why should I not be free to do without manifesting my thoughts to the old men?" The old man replied, "Abba John the Dwarf said, The enemy rejoices over nothing so much as over those who do not manifest their thoughts."
(p. 181, Abba Poemen 101)

Nine monks fell away after many labours and were obsessed with spiritual pride, for they put their trust in their own works and being deceived they did not give due heed to the commandment that says, "Ask your father and he will tell you." (Deut. 32:7)
(pp. 8-9, Abba Anthony the Great 37)

Looking for a teacher

... a teacher ought to be a stranger to the desire for domination, vain-glory, and pride; one should not be able to fool him by flattery, nor blind him by gifts, nor conquer him by the stomach, nor dominate him by anger; but he should be patient, gentle and humble as far as possible; he must be tested and without partisanship, full of concern, and a lover of souls.
(pp. 83-84, Amma Theodora 5)

Do not lay open your conscience to anyone whom you do not trust in your heart.
(p. 194, Abba Poemen 201)

Teaching others

To instruct your neighbour is the same thing as reproving him.
(p. 189, Abba Poemen 157)

If you reprove someone, you yourself get carried away by anger and you are satisfying your own passion; do not lose yourself, therefore, in order to save another.
(p. 131, Abba Macarius the Great 17)

A brother asked Abba Poemen, "Some brothers live with me; do you want me to be in charge of them?" The old man said to him, "No, just work first and foremost, and if they want to live like you, they will see to it themselves." The brother said to him, "But it is they themselves, Father, who want me to be in charge of them." The old man said to him, "No, be their example, not their legislator."
(p. 191, Abba Poemen 174)

Abba Ammoun of Rhaithou asked Abba Sisoes, "When I read the Scriptures, my mind is wholly concentrated on the words so that I may have something to say if I am asked." The old man said to him, "That is not necessary; it is better to enrich yourself through purity of spirit and to be without anxiety and then to speak."
(p. 216, Abba Sisoes 17)

©1999 by Deb Platt

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