PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

Amma Syncletica and the Disciple Who Could No Longer Do What She Once Did A sister came to Amma Syncletica and said: “Mother, my body has become my prison. I cannot walk as I once did. I tire quickly. Pain accompanies me day and night. My memory fails me. I cannot pray with the fervor I had in my youth. I have become useless, and a great sadness has come upon me.” The Amma looked at her for a long while and said: “Who told you that your value was in your strength?” The sister

There comes a point in life when a man realizes he is tired. Not depressed. Not hopeless. Not wishing for death. Simply tired. Tired in his mind, tired in his body, tired in his soul. He looks back and sees years of striving. Years of carrying responsibilities, meeting expectations, building projects, teaching, caring for others, solving problems, remaining accessible, pushing himself forward through discipline and determination. Much of it was good. Much of it served others.