Macarius fist answered a call to the ascetic life by becoming a village hermit devoting himself to prayer and supporting himself by weaving rush baskets. He spent 50 years as a hermit out in a desert. One might say what a waste of a life. But he was evidently a great spiritual master, to judge by the considerable body of writing attributed to him.

He gave practical directions on how a community should be organized, on a basis of mutual help with manual work as part of daily life. For Macarius the washing of the feet of Jesus was important to him and in particular in giving service to each other. He lived to the fine age of 90 years from 300-390.

Today is his feastday and we ask his many blessings on us. Amen.