Daily Reflection for January 18, 2023

Some brethren came one day to test him to see whether he would let his thoughts get dissipated and speak of the things of this world. They said to him, “We give thanks to God that this year there has been much rain and the palm trees have been able to drink, and their shoots have grown, and the brethren have found manual work.” Abba John said to them, “So it is when the Holy Spirit descends into the hearts of men; they are renewed and they put forth leaves in the fear of God.”

How easy it is to get caught up in the everyday concerns like the weather! But John meditates constantly on the works of God. Can we approach this level of mindfulness?