Assistant Bishop Benedict of Bistrița, assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Vad, Feleac, and Cluj, and one of the youngest members of the Holy Synod, offers a ten-point reflection on the writings of Saint Isaac the Syrian regarding youth development.
Addressing younger generations, the bishop emphasizes the importance of effort, perseverance, and generous relationships with others.
In an article published on the Radio Renașterea website, Bishop Benedict elaborates on ten significant quotes from the Syrian saint’s work:
10 insights for youth development from Saint Isaac the Syrian
- The need for effort: “The way of God is the daily cross; no one ascends to heaven with ease.”
No serious thing is achieved without effort. Comfort is not part of the evangelical vocabulary when it comes to progress. The criterion for the validity of a work is precisely temptation, broadly translated into the form of difficulties, oppositions, obstacles, troubles, or pains.
- The exercise of self-knowledge: “To him who knows himself, knowledge of all things is given.”
Self-knowledge, the encounter with one’s own truth, through an appeal to Christ-the Truth, generates inner peace, the “assembly” of the soul’s and body’s powers in harmony with the entire creation, but also with Heaven. Such a person is a happy one, for whom nothing is accidental; everything unfolds in an order set by a God who loves the whole world, but especially this man.
- Generosity in relating to others: “Strive when you meet your neighbour to honour him beyond his measure.”
Honouring others beyond their measure brings peace to the soul of the one who does it, as it places him in a state of humility, by which he resembles the humble God, Who Himself honours man immeasurably. On the other hand, it reveals the other in what he could be, in his maximum form of becoming, which always points to something higher, greater, more.
- The need for predictability: Ask for help before starting the battle and seek the Healer before you fall sick.”
In spiritual life, a certain foresight is required, as preparation and familiarization with God in peaceful times, which will attract His presence, companionship, and protection in the difficult times that might follow. This is a general law, but in this context, it receives a specific emphasis.
- Attention to small things: “Guard against small things so you do not fall into great ones.”
Everything starts from seemingly insignificant things, which we do not give importance to, which come unnoticed, and we treat with indifference, negligence, or unseriousness. We do not consider them dangerous at all; indeed, we experiment with them almost in jest, arguing that they cannot have adverse effects on us. The fear of making mistakes has a prophylactic character, and any spiritual work begins with attention to what seems small and powerless.
- Appeal to positive psychology: “It is better to escape from passions by remembering virtues than through opposition.”
We denounce evil not by excessively focusing on it, but by looking at the good we can gain, and in this way, we find the motivation and resources needed to walk such a path, which is promising not only at its end but also along the way, precisely through the constant relation to good, as a source of living in joy, in anticipation of uninterrupted and complete joy.
- Cultivating a state of gratitude: “The mouth that always gives thanks receives blessings from God; and in the heart that dwells in gratitude, grace emerges.”
Blessing is the sign of grace’s presence, felt as joy. We talk about dissatisfied and ungrateful people and also of a society that is dissatisfied and ungrateful despite high standards of living. We are frustrated by what we lack and, unfortunately, incapable of being joyful for what we have at hand. The path to a fulfilled life is through a heart that gives thanks and rejoices in all things.
- Having patience: “No untrained son receives the wealth of his father’s house before he can use it.”
Wisdom and discernment are needed to see the opportune moment for great things without rushing, without hoping meaninglessly, that is, to invest with great care. Experience with patience makes us worthy to inherit capital, and it also ensures that the investment of this inheritance bears fruit and does not bring harm, unfulfillment, or even failure. Everything in its time.
- The need for perseverance: “Grace comes from struggle. At one time, there is temptation, and at another time, consolation.”
Two moments in spiritual life cannot be separated—the time of temptation, with its difficulty, and the time of consolation, with the joy that comes from perseverance in work, done with patience and, above all, with trust in God, who triumphs within us. This perspective transcends the easy variants of happiness makers in contemporary marketing terms.
- Selecting those around you: “Do not make friends with one who likes to laugh and mock people.”
Do not associate with those who exhibit arrogant behaviour, with superiority towards others, quickly and habitually mocking them, since “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Progress in spiritual life is ensured by friendship with those who love such a way of life, learning it from and borrowing it from them.
Photo: Metropolis of Cluj / Ionuț Chifa
