Pseudo-Macarius: The Fifty Spiritual Homilies and the Great Letter
Overview
The writings of Pseudo-Macarius, a Syrian monk of the fourth century, bring to Western Christianity a holistic “heart” spirituality that offers a necessary complement to the “head” spirituality of the West. The Fifty Homilies, in the form of a practical, monastic pedagogy, reveal the typical traits of Eastern Orthodox asceticism, with particular emphasis on the spiritual combat, the action of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of interior prayer. The Great Letter discusses the purging of the passions to bring the Christian into a state of tranquility and integration, and addresses the monastic community with instructions regarding organization, humility, and prayer.
For a massive collection including over a hundred and twenty of the volumes in this series, see the Classics of Western Spirituality Bundle (126 vols.).
Key Features
- This example of Syrian Christianity allows modern readers a glimpse into historic Christianity
- Fully integrates and cross references with other resources from your Logos library
- A primary source that is useful for research and historical study of the early church
Top Highlights
“In the Homilies the body is described as the ‘likeness’ of the soul, its outward expression and reflection; it is the two together that constitute ‘the house of God’ (H. 30:3, 7). Our Christian vocation is not to ‘save our soul’ but to become ‘spirit enfleshed’ (H. 47:15). There is no salvation for the soul apart from the body; divinization signifies the transformation of the total person, soul and body together.” (Page xiv)
“William Blake: ‘Man has no Body distinct from his Soul, for that call’d Body is a portion of Soul discern’d by the five Senses.’ In the words of C.G. Jung, ‘Spirit is the living body seen from within, and the body the outer manifestation of the living spirit—the two being really one.’” (Page xiv)
“‘I read Macarius and sang,’ wrote John Wesley in his diary for July 30, 1736.” (Page xi)
“In the same way also the soul, which is clothed with the attractive garment, namely, the body, possesses the faculty of discernment which directs the whole soul along with the body as it passes through the brush and thorns of life, through the mud, fire, and precipices, that is, the lusts and sensuous pleasures and the other vanities of this world. It also should wrap around itself vigilance, courage, diligence, and attentiveness, and control itself and the vesture of the body in such a way so as not to be torn by the thickets and thorns of this world, which are the anxieties, busyness, and earthly worries. And it should not be burned by the fire of lust.” (Page 51)
“Thus the soul is completely illumined with the unspeakable beauty of the glory of the light of the face of Christ and is perfectly made a participator of the Holy Spirit. It is privileged to be the dwelling-place and the throne of God, all eye, all light, all face, all glory and all spirit, made so by Christ who drives, guides, carries, and supports the soul about and adorns and decorates the soul with his spiritual beauty.” (Page 38)
About the Author
Pseudo-Macarius authored several works that were originally attributed to the Christian monk Macarius the Egyptian.
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Daniel Mcliver
5/14/2023
Miguel A Cardenas
6/29/2020