Saturday, September 2 : Symeon the New Theologian

What would a product ever know without its maker? For the product would certainly have demanded of it, justly and fittingly, the know-how which it had received, that is its action and its function. For even a mattock, a scythe, a dagger, and a saw, an axe, a staff, a spear, and both sword and bow, an arrow, and all the remaining tools in life, each possesses its own function, but it does not take its function from itself, but certainly from us. For the artisan of each tool, for whatever desired purpose, equips the tool to operate according to its art. Therefore understand me that so also God has made us each faithfully to operate in the works of this life. For behold, just as it is never possible that any of the tools mentioned moves itself to its work, or anything operates without a human hand taking something and making something else with it, so also a human being without the divine hand cannot know or do anything good. For behold, the Artisan, the Logos, made me, and He has placed in the world whatever kind He wanted. Therefore how, tell me, how shall I be able to think, or to make, or to operate anything without divine strength? He Who granted to me a mind, whatever kind He wanted, and He gives to think what things He knows to be useful, and He provides for me power to operate what He wants. And so if I would do them, He certainly will give more, (Mt 25:21) and benevolently provide for me to think more perfect things. But if I were to despise even the small things entrusted to me, I would truly and justly suffer deprivation by God Who has given [to me], and I shall become an unprofitable and useless tool because I did not wish to accomplish the commands of my creator,
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team