The Catholic Book Blogger
Simeon Stylites (“of the pillar”) attempted to live the life of the angels on earth—by removing himself as far as possible from the earth, living on top of a column for thirty-seven years. In spite of his eccentricity, however, he was unquestioningly obedient to the leaders of the Church.
Simeon tried to realize the life of the heavenly hosts in the flesh. He lifted himself above the concerns of earth, and—overpowering the downward tendency of human nature—was intent on things above. Placed between earth and heaven, he held communion with God, and united with the angels in praising him; from earth, offering his intercessions on behalf of human beings, and from Heaven, drawing down upon them the divine favor.
When Simeon, that angel on earth, that citizen in the flesh of the heavenly Jerusalem, had devised this strange and hitherto unknown way of life, the inhabitants of the holy desert sent someone to him, charged with an injunction to render a reason for this strange habit—namely, why he abandoned the beaten path the saints had trodden, and pursued another altogether unknown to mankind. The injunction further demanded that he should come down and travel the road of the elect fathers. At the same time they gave orders that, if he should show a perfect readiness to come down, he should be given the freedom to follow out the course he had chosen, since his compliance would be sufficient proof that he persevered in this endurance of his under God’s guidance. But if he should show repugnance, or be swayed by self-will, and refuse to be guided implicitly by the injunction, then he should be dragged down by force.
When the messenger came and announced the command of the fathers, Simeon, obeying the injunction, immediately put one foot forward. But then the messenger told him he was free to take his own course. “Be strong and play the man,” he said. “The way you have chosen is from God.” –Evagrius Scholasticus, Ecclesiastical History, 1.13
IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
Am I docile to the authority of the Church on earth? Do I realize that such docility is a mark of angelic life?
CLOSING PRAYER
Guardian Angel, help me to resist all temptations to disobedience. I want to live in communion with the Church, with all the holy angels, and with God.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Remember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In