Theon

In little bits of spare time, I’ve recently been reading historical records of certain individuals living in the 4^th and 5^th centuries.  These vibrant souls chose to separate themselves from the expected lifestyle of their age in order to seek the Lord.  However, they were not isolated, but integrated in exemplary ways with each other and all who crossed their paths.  They were known to be merciful, kind, and compassionate; quiet, humble, and gentle.   Their service to others was willingly sacrificial, a kind of “holy toil” that cultivated patience, perfect wisdom, and wholeness. 

Take Theon the hermit, for example.  Theon was a scholarly man, learned in Egyptian, Greek, and Latin. He reportedly was noble in appearance with a reverent countenance, joyous eyes, and a gracious, almost angelic, presence.  For thirty years he chose a reclusive lifestyle, keeping a discipline of silence.  His worshipful stillness of soul reflected the heart of God in the form of holy service.  Ill people flocked to his window daily where he reached out his hand to touch them.  They left changed, many healed of their afflictions. One source states, “He did so many miracles that he was esteemed among them as a prophet.”

Biographies such as Theon’s cause me to think about the higher good, the more hidden treasure.  We are on a journey, and are easily tempted to be satisfied with less, to set our own diminished limits.  And yet there is a higher calling: divine wisdom that yields honest deeds of mercy and compassion borne of Perfect Love.