The Evergetinos: Book Three - Chapter IX, Part III

There is something almost relentless about the teaching of the Fathers on watchfulness. They will not allow us to imagine that there comes a point in the spiritual life when vigilance is no longer necessary. Age does not free us from it. Knowledge does not free us from it. Years of prayer do not free us from it. Even great spiritual gifts do not free us from it.

“As long as you are in the body, do not leave your heart unguarded.”

Until the last breath.

At first this can sound severe. The image given by Abba Isaiah is striking: he is like a sparrow tied by the foot. It may fly upward and imagine itself free, but the cord remains. A single tug can bring it back to the earth. Likewise, the Fathers tell us that the enemy waits at the crossroads, lays traps along the path, makes use of small thoughts and seemingly insignificant compromises, and patiently seeks an opening into the heart.

Yet if we read these sayings merely as a catalogue of demonic strategies, we have misunderstood their purpose.

The Evergetinos is not trying to make us fascinated with evil. Nor are the Fathers trying to produce souls that are perpetually looking over their shoulders, anxiously examining every movement of the heart. They are teaching us watchfulness because they desire something infinitely greater for us.

They want us to discover how precious the heart is to God.

Indeed, hidden within these rather frightening descriptions is one of the most beautiful statements in the entire passage. The enemy himself is forced to confess concerning the monks:

“You and your fellow-servants have a good Master, Who speaks to you gently and watches over you as His own children.”

A good Master.

One who speaks gently.

One who watches over us as His own children.