Lent is universally regarded as a spiritual journey, characterized by the practices of fasting, prayer, and charity which are designed to cultivate a deeper relationship with God and more profound understanding of their faith. Bishop Kallistos Ware (of blessed memory) writes- “To be a Christian is to be a traveller. Our situation, say the Greek Fathers, is like that of the Israelite people in the desert of Sinai: we live in tents, not houses, for spiritually we are always on the move. We are on a journey through the inward space of the heart, a journey not measured by the hours of our watch or the days of the calendar, for it is a journey out of time into eternity.” (The Orthodox Way).
It is then apt and fitting to meditate on the journey of the Israelites in the wilderness and the man who led them to freedom-Moses. A Christian recognizes in Moses the aspirations and trials of a pilgrim, a faith filled life in God while navigating the desert with a weary and faithless populace.
St. Gregory of
Nyssa was a prominent 4th-century Christian theologian and bishop, known for
his profound contributions to Christian doctrine and philosophy. Born around
335 in Cappadocia, St. Gregory was the younger brother of St. Basil the Great
and a close friend of St. Gregory of Nazianzus, together known as the
Cappadocian Fathers.
‘The Life of Moses’ is a work of St. Gregory of Nyssa addressed to a man named Caesarius in response to the latter’s request on guidance to lead a perfect virtuous life. St. Gregory teaches the inquirer (and us) that while everything measurable by the senses has definite boundaries, virtue is unique because its perfection lies in its boundlessness. He cites the example of Apostle St. Paul, who, known for his profound understanding and continual pursuance of virtue, never stopped “straining forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13).
St. Gregory acknowledges
that while attaining complete perfection in virtue is impossible, human beings
should still strive for it. We ought to heed to the Lord's commandment: “Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (St. Matthew 5:48). Striving
for goodness, even partially, is valuable and brings us closer to God. Just as
the end of life signifies the onset of death similarly ceasing in the progress
of virtuous behaviour signifies onset of evil. Therefore, the pursuit of virtue
is an endless journey, always striving towards an unattainable perfection.
According to
St. Gregory, true perfection does not entail merely avoiding a wicked life out
of a fear of punishment, nor performing good deeds in anticipation of rewards,
as if treating the virtuous life as a transactional arrangement. Instead,
irrespective of the promises or hopes we may have, true perfection lies in
viewing the loss of God's friendship as the only thing to dread and considering
becoming God's friend as the sole pursuit worthy of honour and desire.
In ‘The Life
of Moses’, St. Gregory documents the elements of an exemplary virtuous life led
by Moses which is worthy of emulation.
He says like how sailors at sea, who drift away from their intended
course, can navigate back by looking for clear signs like a beacon light or a
visible mountain peak, the examples of saints in the Holy Scripture, can guide
those who are lost in life back to alignment with the divine will.
The life of
Moses is broadly divided into two parts- Book 1 (Historia) summarises the
biblical account of Moses, and Book 2 (Theoria) explores the spiritual meaning
of the Scriptural narrative.
The Book of
Exodus consists of 40 chapters. This series (In the Footsteps of Moses: A
Lenten Voyage with St. Gregory of Nyssa) will involve daily reading/reflection
of chapter(s) from the book of Exodus (and some portions from the Book of
Numbers) with the commentary of Moses’s life (in that respective chapter) by
St. Gregory of Nyssa and some questions for personal contemplation.
During this
Lenten season, let us commit to dedicating time each day to immerse ourselves
in the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Church Fathers and Mothers.
Furthermore, moments of quiet contemplation will enable us to internalize these
teachings. Engaging in these practices can enhance not only our Lenten journey
but also our lives, much like a traveller rejuvenated by the waters of an oasis
in the desert.
“So Moses,
who eagerly seeks to behold God, is now taught how he can behold Him: to follow
God wherever he might lead is to behold God. His ‘passing by’ signifies Him
guiding the one who follows, for someone who does not know the way cannot
complete his journey safely in any other way than by following behind his
guide.”- St. Gregory of Nyssa
Come in peace O
holy lent our Saviour has observed!
In Christ,
Rincy
Its wonderful that you are journeying through this book. Eagerly awaiting the insights! May the good Lord strengthen and guide your efforts.
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