I love stories about Abba Poemen. I have read many. He is one of my favorite desert fathers. I have mentally adopted him as one of my fathers.
Here is one story, which I think is connected to thoughts of death. Too many people do not want to talk about death. But, death is about the body, the senses, the end of all of these, for a time.
Death is about the material, the things of this earth. We must talk about sin and death, and not be afraid.
I am at the edge of the snow storm which went through the area today. Then, ice bits fell, not quite sleet, and more like very small hail balls.
Being outside working reminded me of the real reason why we are here. We are here to prepare for death and to bring others to heaven with us. But, we must face ourselves first.
Too many people want only to hear of angels and saints and the wonderful apparitions of Mary. Not many Catholics want to face sin and death. They do not want to talk about their own failings, even with a good confessor, and sometimes cover up their sins, trying to hide these away.
Love is sharing in the weaknesses so that we can help each other be strong.
I have, a long time ago, sat with two people, at different times, who were dying. One did not accept his death and fought to the end. His death was not peaceful. He was raging against the night.
The second was a child who was slipping away. Thankfully, he came away from death and lived, but his moving towards death was peaceful, until God turned him around and put him back on earth for awhile.
The difference was that the first person was not prepared. And, unlikely as it seems, the child was.
Here is one story:
A brother once went out on a pilgrimage from the monastery of Abba
Poemen, and came to a hermit, who lived in love towards all and received
many visitors. The brother told the hermit stories of Abba Poemen. And when he
heard of Poemen's strength of character, he longed to see him.
The brother returned to Egypt. And after some little time, the hermit
rose and went from his country to Egypt to see the brother who had visited
him: for he had told him where he lived. When the brother saw the hermit,
he was astonished, and very glad. The hermit said to him, "Of your charity
towards me, take me to Abba Poemen." And the brother rose up and showed him
the way to the old man.
And the brother told Abba Poemen this about the hermit, "A great man
of much charity, and particular honor in his own province, has come here
wanting to see you." So the old man received him kindly. And after they
had exchanged greetings, they sat down.
But the hermit began to talk of the Holy Scripture, and of the things
of the spirit and of heaven. But Abba Poemen turned his face away, and
answered nothing. When the hermit saw that he would not speak with him, he
was distressed and went out. And he said to the brother who had brought him
there, "My journey was useless. I went to the old man and he does not deign
to speak to me."
The brother went to Abba Poemen, and said, "Abba, it was to talk with
you that this great man came here, a man of much honor in his own land. Why
did you not speak to him?" The old man answered, "He is from above, and
speaks of the things of heaven. I am from below, and speak of the things of
the earth. If he had spoken with me on the soul's passions, I would
willingly have replied to him. But if he speaks of the things of the spirit, I know
nothing about them."
So the brother went out and told the hermit, "The reason is that the
old man does not easily discuss Scripture. But if anyone talks to him about
the soul's passions, he answers."
Then the hermit was stricken with penitence, and went to the old man
and said, "What shall I do, Abba? My passions rule me." And the old man
gazed at him with gladness and said, "Now you are welcome. You have only to
ask and I will speak with understanding." And the hermit was much
strengthened by their discourse, and said, "Truly, this is the way of love."
And he thanked God that he had been able to see so holy a man, and returned
to his own country."
Please do not be afraid to speak of death to those you love who are near death. We lie to some who are dying, but in lying, we are not being charitable. We should be willing to walk to the door of death with those we love. And, in order to do this, we must face our own end. And, repent....
to be continued....
