The Wisdom of Dying

Every day I receive a newsletter from ParacleteLetter@yahoogroups.com; on behalf of; Chuck Clark [chuck@stationedhere.com] Many of his letters have good insights and I suggest you think about signing up for it.

Today's letter was especially interesting so I am sending it on to you.

“Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” - Proverbs 23:5

Macarius was born in 300 AD in Upper Egypt. He was a disciple of St. Anthony and founder of a monastic community in the Scetic desert.

The wisdom of Macarius can be seen in his advice to a disciple who once asked him how to begin to live in Christ. Macarius told him to go to the cemetery and first scold all the dead, out loud, and then praise them.

When he returned, Macarius asked what reply the dead had made to the reproof and the praise. “Nothing,” the disciple answered.

Macarius said, “Go then and learn neither to be moved by praise or flattery. If you die to the world and to yourself, you will begin to live in Christ.”