It's New Years Eve and we prepare to ring in not only a new year, but a new decade. When I was a boy, New Years Resolutions were the big deal, but I never met anyone who claimed to have been changed for the better for those resolutions. In other words, no one kept them.
But here is a very beautiful quote from St. Isaac of Syria (c 613-c 700) that we might print and keep near until we have memorized at least the sense of it, if not the exact words. I would suggest these lines from St. Isaac's homily (81) summarize the essence of true religion.
Notice the saint composed these thoughts in the 7th century, indicating that even then creation—the animals, the plants, the water, soil and air were being assaulted. We have not changed, indeed, some would say we are devolving with endless wars and the mind boggling expense of maintaining planet-destroying arsenals, the sex trafficking of even the littlest children, our love of guns and violence, with the rolling back of environmental protections, the huge numbers of plant and animal extinctions, the poisoning of the air and the water.
What is a heart of mercy?
It is a heart on fire
for the whole of creation,
for humanity,
for the birds,
for the animals,
for demons,
and for all that exists.
By the recollection of them
the eyes of a merciful person
pour forth tears in abundance
by the strong and vehement mercythat grips such a person's heart,
and by such great compassion,
the heart is humbled
and one cannot bear to hear or to see
any injury or slight sorrow
of any in creation.
For this reason, such a person
offers up tearful prayer continually
even for irrational beasts,
and for those who harm him,
that they be protected and receive mercy...
because of the great compassion
that burns without measure
in a heart that is
in the likeness of God.
