Thursday the 11th, Part 2. In the evening we met with M at the restaurant. It was a joyful meal together with discussions about the Church and about Christ and His love. This brought us together in fellowship.

And, of course, we must all do the work of Christ whilst it is still day. Or, as Father Seraphim Rose said: “Hasten to do the will of God, it is later than you think.”

The little monastery that we visited in the morning still conjured dreams in our souls. Of Paradise.

As Abba Isaiah of Sketis says to his monks, those who are beginning their journey must cultivate the soil. And indeed we are to labour in the vineyard.

Saint Ephraim the Syrian writes in Hymns of Paradise, number 5, verse 15:

“Have pity on me,

O Lord of Paradise,

and if it is not possible for me

to enter your Paradise,

allow me to pasture

outside, by its enclosure:

Within is the table of the diligent.

But let the fruits of its enclosure

drop like crumbs outside*,

so that through your grace

sinners may live.

Amen.

*Matthew 15:27; Mark 7:28