Primacy of Love For All Living Things

The commandment to love was the primary guide for the Desert Fathers lives, and informed most of the stories and accounts in Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Their practice included not only the command to love all, but to be transformed by God's love. For those who lived the monastic community life it was especially prominent. Their efforts to live by that commandment were not seen as being easy—many of the stories from that time recount their struggles to overcome negative emotions such as anger and judgment of others. Helping a brother monk who was ill or struggling was seen as taking priority over any other consideration. Hermits were frequently seen to break a long fast when hosting visitors, as hospitality and kindness were more important than keeping the ascetic practices that were so dominant in the Desert Fathers' lives....source: Wikipedia

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