Retranslation Day Two - Learning Some Intricacies!

Today I planned to tackle just a few lines from Collection I.V.2.7, but ended up doing the whole paragraph and made more sense of it. I looked up a lot of things that I had just made assumptions about before (ostensibly in the interest of saving time, but laziness can be a factor too). I worked beyond my goal of 30-60 minutes, hitting the two hours mark today, which is big progress for me.

So here is the Macarian thought of the day:

"Not one of us shall really discover God through one word/saying, but in order that he has him in the heart in all perception and full knowledge. (this is what God did...- my words, not in text, but I think implied) On account of your great worth, O humanity, He passed up all the diversity of creation. How wide is the heaven which offers also the shining of the stars, and (yet) the Lord did not take delight in them. And of what sort are the luminaries, of what sort and how great is the earth, and God disregarding everything, he took rest in the heart (of humanity). You alone are called the temple of God and you became the divine dwelling place, in order to lodge and encamp the Lord. "For I will regard with favor the one who is meek and quiet and who trembles at my words." (Is. 66:2b) and again "I will reveal myself to him" (Jn 14:21b) and "I and my father will come and we will make our lodging in his presence." (Jn 14:23b). Then you are the possession of God, you are the inheritance of the king. Do not despise him, O human, but enter upon the race and struggle, in order that you may be counted worthy of the crown by means of work and truth. For many from among us are listening to the Word from the Scriptures, and nevertheless, as the writings say, those have acquired, but only the strangers to work and perception know how to speak. "But if one competes, he does not receive the crown if he does not compete lawfully." (II Tim 2:5) There is a necessity of the race and toil and struggle, there is a necessity of affliction and labor, in order that one has Rest forever and ever."

Retranslation Making More Sense!

Although I'm in a drought with my dissertation at the moment due to some emotional valleys, I decided this week to retranslate some of the rockier parts of my Collection I translations of Macarius. I started with the first one today, Logos V.2.3, and just the last few sentences. But now they make more sense to me and they are actually very encouraging in this season of grief and sorrow. Hope they encourage you too.

"It is joy for the one who mourns and those who are burdened, and consolation refreshing the afflicted, and the tears and the groaning out of the depths of their hearts produce delights for those who belong to the house/family of God. For those who bypass this measure/rule by avoiding all affliction from the face of the soul are also the ones who forsake the tears, grace and love carried by/through the Lord. For such is the measure of completeness."

I know that when the tears come, there is healing in them and God is present with all those who mourn. In fact, he is a fellow mourner sitting with us in the dust. I appreciate your prayers that I would mourn as the grief comes, but be faithful to move forward with life when God gives me a good day like today. Today I used one of the humongous Greek-English concordances that my father and step-mom gave me for Christmas a few years back. It brought tears to my eyes, but thankfulness for that continuing symbol of their support in this project.