#MastersofSocialIsolation #16. St Guthlac, an Anglo-Saxon monk of the 7th cen., was captivated by tales of the solitary life of the monks of olden times. “His heart burned with a hungry longing to seek solitude in the wilderness.” He retreated to a hermitage in a marshy fen.
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There he was besieged by armies of “monsters,” spiritual or otherwise, who tried to destroy his spirit. But with the armor of faith he emerged victorious and was troubled no more. “From Guthlac no sick man went away without relief; no one distressed, without assistance...
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... no one sad, without joy; no one weary, without encouragement; no one sorrowing, without comfort; no one worried, without counsel.” Even birds and fish responded to his kindness. One time a visitor was surprised when 2 birds landed on his shoulders and began to sing. G said:
“Have you not read that with him who is united with God in a pure spirit all things are joined together in God, and that he who forsakes the companionship of men, seeks the companionship of animals and the friendship of angels?”
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