Our Venerable Father Thomas of Maleum; and Acacius mentioned in The Ladder of Divine Ascent of Saint John Climacus.
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
1 Corinthians 4:5-8; Matthew 13:44-54.
Read Matthew 13:44-54
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Have you ever asked yourself, “what is my greatest joy in life?” Many of us would name something that brings us pleasure or satisfaction in this life: family, relationships, fulfillment in work, material or carnal pleasures of life, etc. The Lord is reminding us that nothing in this life even compares to the kingdom of heaven. In fact, the kingdom is such a treasure that it is worth sacrificing everything to attain. The saints understood this and lived it: “Heavenly riches are not possessed without a worldly loss” (Hilary of Poitiers).. Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34). If we put our greatest joy in the treasures of this life then our heart will not be filled with the presence of the kingdom.
Sometimes the most difficult step to take is the step of faith: making the kingdom my highest priority. It is much easier to take this leap of faith when we have tasted the sweetness of heaven. St. Gregory the Great said, “He who has clear knowledge of the sweetness of heavily life gladly leaves behind all things he loved on earth. Compared with that pearl, everything else fades in value”(Forty Gospel Homilies). If we are having a difficult time taking this step of faith then bring it to prayer. Ask the Lord for the grace of the experience of the kingdom which is “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 118:103). Then we can understand and embrace the words of Christ and the example of the saints.