Let hope be your strength in times of weakness
In the latter paragraphs of Homily 9 one comes to see that in the mind of Saint Isaac the Syrian and the desert fathers what is most significant is not moral perfection, but rather an enduring spirit of repentance, hope in the Lord and his mercy, and a continual striving to engage in the spiritual battle. This is true no matter how dark things have become and even if it appears as though there has been a death of the soul, a complete destruction and utter abandonment of God for sin. St. Isaac tells us that we should never forget the love of our Father, and that no matter how deep our negligence might be, we should rise up again to struggle against our adversaries and each day begin to lay a foundation for our ruined dwelling. We must be quick to tell the evil one “rejoice not against me for the Lord shall be a light unto me”. St. Isaac in particular encourages us never to cease from making war until the moment of our death. We are not to surrender our soul to defeat, even at the very moment of our defeat! In a striking image, St. Isaac tells us we are to be like a “wise invalid” who does not cut off his hope. It is better for us to be condemned for our particular deeds than for abandoning all.
St. Isaac concludes the homily with a powerful admonition from Saint Martinian, who tells us that we should accept for Christ’s sake, every warfare kindled by our passions, the attractions of this world, the duration and persistence of the demons wickedness. Do not grow faint-hearted because of the continuing and obdurate fierceness of the battle. We should never prove false to our vows or trample upon our own conscience by stretching forth our hands to the devil and to let him exalt over us or draw us into despair. Part of the beauty of the monastic life is the humble boldness before God that the righteous possess; when the moment of judgment comes those who remain pure in their commitment to the Lord shall be carried through the gates of heaven by the angelic hosts themselves.
When Isaac turns to Homily 10, he begins simply by warning us not to use hope as an excuse to free ourselves from the charge of striving for the life of repentance. We must not employ this hope as an aid for sinning; convincing ourselves or allowing ourselves to be convinced by the evil one that because of God‘s compassion we can fearlessly commit even grave sins. Along with fostering the habit of love for virtue, we must establish a hatred for sin. May God grant us the grace of perseverance!
The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian Homily 9 paragraphs 5-9 and Homily 10 paragraph 1