Progressions and the Single Request

He was stationed like Elisha of Syria. A divine encampment has happened around him, not according to history, but according to the spiritual sense. The soul is led by the mind and is yoked to it. If someone chooses to include the will, it is possible. The name of the spirit of the heart in Psalm 101 sometimes signifies the will, but the mind is to be taken here.

If war rises up against me, in this I hope (Psalm 27:3). There is even more of an encampment if war rises up against me; in my heart I hope, which does not fear, being strengthened by divine fear; 'fear of the Lord surpassed all' (Psalm 34:9), and 'there is no loss to those fearing him' (Psalm 34:18). 'In this I hope.' I am confident that this heart becomes everything to me. The virtues are the weapons of piety. 'Let us put on the weapons of light, let us cast off the works of the flesh' (Romans 13:12). The weapons of light are the virtues, the pious thoughts, the mysteries and doctrines of the truth. In these secure fortunes, no one is shaken, but has unashamed hope. 'In this,' therefore, 'I hope,' not simply in my thought, but in that which is thus secured.

One thing I asked of the Lord, this I will seek (Psalm 81:10). God the Giver is of many good things; for He 'will give good things to those asking Him' (Psalm 81:11), and He fills the desire with His own good things; for He is 'the one filling your desire with good things' (Psalm 81:15). Therefore, it is reasonable to say that these good things are, in essence, virtues and in essence, the mysteries of the truth. When someone—so that I may say it this way—possesses the genus of the virtues, he possesses all. Therefore, he asks for one request, all virtue. When someone does not already possess well-established virtues, he does not send up one request; for if he is in the process of advancing and becoming greater in other things, he pours out requests again and does not ask for one request. But he who sends up a prayer for the whole of virtue and for the piety of the doctrines sends up one. It is also possible to say this: the...

There are many progresses. These are signified by the name of the tabernacle, as it has been shown many times. If anyone becomes in some progress and asks to have God as a helper, to have Him as a succor, he does not remain in this request; for he passes from progress to progress, becoming better than himself. Many tabernacles are spoken of, but there is one house.

Therefore, the one having come to perfection asks one request. 'One' then, 'I asked from the Lord' (Psalm 27:4). And this is also possible: their help—so that, having been prepared for the wars and the encampments that arise, they are able—does not ask one request. They seek much help: a military encirclement, the strength of walls, constructions. But he who has God himself as a helper and asks for this one thing, asks one request. 'All in all' happens, as each of those having been perfected has Him as all things: as bread, as light, as teacher, as shepherd. 'One' then, 'I asked, this I seek out'. He who says 'I seek out' and 'I asked' shows that the one seeking does not yet have it, and longs to find. For no one has perfection unless even if he reaches the very goal and the end of virtue and of union with God.

4 of dwelling with me in the house of the Lord all the days of my life (Psalm 27:4). I did not begin to ask now, but because of the beginning of the end I began; for the one beginning an art begins because of the end of the art. Those having reached this dwell. 'Blessed are all those dwelling in your house' (Psalm 68:1). He who has the blessed life is in the days; it does not happen in nights. Even if ever it becomes in night, but he takes up the beginning of longing for life, he comes out of the night.

4 of beholding my part in the delight of the Lord and sheltering in his temple. Just as I dwell all the days in the house of God, so in all the days I behold the delight of the Lord and I shelter in his temple. But the delight of the Lord is the...