From the Christian Tradition

John Cassian

John Cassian lived and wrote at the time when the Western Roman Empire was collapsing at the beginning of the 5^th century AD.  He lived in a part of the Latin speaking Empire in what is now Romania.  His works on the spiritual life were based on his contact with Egypt where monastic life and spirituality first emerge in the 4^th century.  By writing in Latin he transmitted this tradition to Western Europe and was greatly influential to the pioneers of the monastic movement in the West such as St Benedict in the 6^th century. 

This extract is taken from the work known as the Conferences.  He is writing about prayer.

……. next are thanksgivings.

Unspeakably moved by the memory of God’s past kindnesses, by the vision of what he now grants or by all that he holds out as a future reward to those who love Him, the mind gives thanks.  In this perspective richer prayers are often uttered.  Looking with purest gaze at the rewards promised to the saints, our spirit is moved by the measureless joy to pour our wordless thanksgiving to God.

Stephen Parsons