9- The depth in worship

Many care about the linear measure in fasting for example, in prayers and the number of psalms and prostrations "metanyas "without caring about the depth in worship. Man could fast for forty or fifty five days and perhaps exerts pressure on himself with regard to food, but without depth in the spiritual work, to triumph over one's self in controlling the will, the senses and mind during fasting. As if fasting is an external appearance, and nothing at all inside in the depths. Then he comes out of fasting with the same characters and faults, as we have discussed this issue before here on st-takla.org in other sections. As for one who fasts with spiritual depth where his soul fasts with his body, combined with contrition, repentance, submission and spiritual practices, he yields many fruits.

Also the prostrations "metanyas", in their depth and not in the number. A person whose soul clings to the dust and not just bows his head, with out bending his pride from the inside.

The same applies to reading, its depth and its effect.

It is not important to read many chapters , but the depth and effect that such reading leaves in you.

One verse which the young man Anthony heard and took in depth, managed to change his whole life and setup a great spiritual program followed by thousands of earthly angels and heavenly humans. Its effect spread out for many generations...Do you read with the same depth by which St Anthony listened to this verse?

The scribes and Pharisees used to read much and they were scholars of their time in the Holy Bible, but they had no depth either in the understand­ing or the application. They did not benefit a thing but they stumbled others.

Consider David the Prophet in the depth of his reading.

He says to God; "I have seen the consummation of all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad" (Ps 119:96). And: "Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from your law" (Ps 119: 18). His depth in reading brought him joy and delight: "...as one who finds great treasure", "How sweet are your works to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth" (Ps 119:103)..