FLEE FROM THIS

“Abba Macarius the Great (300-391) used to say to the brothers at Scetis (a monastic community) when he was dismissing the congregation, “Flee, brothers!” One of the fathers said to him, “Where can we flee to when we are already in the desert?” and he placed his finger on his lips, saying, “I tell you, you must flee this,” and, so saying, he went into his own cell, shut the door, and stayed there.” (Benedicta Ward)

The monk was teaching a younger disciple an important lesson: Stop talking all the time, be quiet, listen to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Flee from your mouth, if it is talking, pecking on phone buttons or yapping over the back fence. Learn to be quiet.
James, an apostle, wrote: “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.”

What Abba Marcarius knew he must have learned from James: “ but no one can tame the tongue” (James 3:8). Now the young disciple and we can learn this as well. Flee from this.

“It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” Jesus