new year

Abbot Lot came to Abbot Joseph and said:

Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and according as I am able I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should i do?

The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said:

Why not be totally changed into fire?

from The Wisdom of the Desert

translated by Thomas Merton