The Legacy of Fr Macarius Wahba
“Three Fathers used to go and visit blessed Anthony every year and two of them used to discuss their thoughts and the salvation of their souls with him, but the third always remained silent and did not ask him anything. After a long time, Abba Anthony said to him, ‘You often come here to see me, but you never ask me anything,’ and the other replied, ‘It is enough for me to see you, Father.’”
One year has passed since the departure of our beloved Fr Macarius, a year during which he has been on our minds and in our hearts. Yet, especially while at church, there is anticipation he will be around a corner, maybe in his office, the vestry, or coming out of the sanctuary with his comforting smile. For many of his spiritual children, the words of the monk in the story of St Anthony ring true, “It is enough for me to see you, Father.” Although it has been a year, it is still very surreal. While we are confident Fr Macarius is living in eternal joy, there is still a natural longing to see his face.
“The priest’s own person is in no way the source or the goal of the relationship that he encourages as a priest with those entrusted to him in his ministry. It is not about making them his own children but making them children of the heavenly Father” Fr Jacques Philippe, Priestly Fatherhood: Treasure in Earthen Vessels
What is Fr Macarius’ legacy? His many decades of service, both as a layperson and priest, have seen Abouna involved in all aspects of the ministry - translating books, publishing liturgical texts, pioneering English liturgical services, serving as the Vicar of a Diocese, contributing to many institutions and projects in Melbourne including the Theological College, and the everyday ministry of a parish priest. While serving in these ministries with the utmost faithfulness and dedication, his true legacy is his fatherhood. Abouna will be remembered by countless people as a father, their father, disciplining his children through who he was more than by what he spoke, leading them not to himself, but to the Lord. Having no intention of leaving a legacy or being remembered by anyone, he wished to come and go without moving the air in his space. Yet he has left the greatest legacy that will be remembered by his spiritual children for all their lives.
“Make peace with yourself, and both heaven and earth will make peace with you.” Mar Isaac the Syrian
Fr Macarius was a man of peace and this radiated into his countenance. How many of us can recall moments when his comforting smile and gentle reassurance eased our confusions, questions and difficult life decisions? His smile and peace had a true spiritual quality and the evidence of this is that any interaction with Abouna led to a greater attachment to the Lord Himself. Abouna truly created a space where one could encounter the Lord Christ, as that is the life that he lived.
"The spiritual guide is able to heal by his very presence. He guides and forms others, not primarily by words of advice but by his companionship, by the living and specific example which he sets. He teaches as much by his stillness as by his speech, by his very presence as much as by any word of counsel that he utters." Kallistos Ware, The Inner Kingdom
Most of Abouna’s ministry was hidden, preferring the individual ministry over public activity. As a spiritual father, Abouna had no intention of fixing those who came to him or using them as resources for the ministry. Rather, he paid close attention to what God was doing in their lives, uttering few words and preferring silent prayer to invite the healing presence of Christ. This was born out of Abouna’s humility in which he did not set himself above others as a manager of their lives. As a true servant of Christ and a faithful steward, his main activity was prayer. Many times he mentioned that a servant’s primary role is to pray and he embodied this wholeheartedly. Abouna lived a life of private, prayerful, intimacy with God, which manifested itself in the fruit of his ministry.
“Spread your cloak over those who fall into sin, each and every one, and shield them.” Mar Isaac the Syrian
In the spirit of St Macarius the Great, Fr Macarius covered the sins of others. Gently bowing his head during confession, he assured the confessor that he was not a judge but a sojourner, heralding the faith, hope and love that is found in the Lord. He was never harsh or inflexible in his guidance, preferring the path of meekness in the image of Christ. Abouna always emphasised the Lord’s incomprehensible mercy and compassion. He dealt with others in a spirit of gentleness, attention and respect, treating each encounter as one with the Lord himself. Living a balanced Christian life, he was present, loving and concerned for his children, yet kept a non-intrusive and respectful distance. He did this through the virtues of humility and disinterested love - a love which has no interest in taking but only giving.
“The souls of the righteous become heavenly light.” St Macarius the Great
In his last sermon on the raising of Lazarus from the dead, only a couple of weeks before his departure, Abouna said, “Lord, I long for those loving words to say to me ‘Come forth, come out of the deadness to a new life, a life eternal’”. Truly Abouna set his gaze on the heavenly life, and this made him float above the concerns of this world, finding joy and comfort in the simple things. Abouna lived in the present moment. The most important moment was the one he was living; his reverent presence at the altar, humility when taking confession, joy in the courtyard, comforting presence at a hospital visit and the cheerful way he would answer a phone call. Along his love for the ministry, he loved sharing a coffee, going for a walk (especially by the water), enjoying nature, feeding birds and fishing. Every aspect of his life was lived as a spiritual moment. In so doing, he taught us that the Christian life is lived in the everyday, especially in the ordinary activities, that when done in Christ are an opportunity for an encounter with the Lord. Abouna went fishing with a few of his spiritual children only a few short weeks before his departure. Nothing was caught, yet Abouna enjoyed sitting by the water, cheerfully smiling and conversing. At the end of the day he lightheartedly said “Don’t worry, it’s called fishing not catching, we’ll catch some from the market on the way home.” That was how Abouna saw life, accepting the will of God and paying attention to what the Lord was calling him to do in that present moment- be it at the face of a major crisis, the bed of a person in their final moments, or at a pier enjoying a calm day with his children.
“Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in my heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.” 1 Samuel 2:35
A year on are we left orphaned? No. As a true spiritual father, Abouna saw all who came to him not as his children, but children of the Heavenly Father. Attaching all who came to him to the Lord Himself, he now stands amongst the heavenly praying for us all. His legacy is now carried by those who walk in his footsteps towards the Lord. Those who choose the path of meekness and humility; who prefer what is hidden to what is public; who have no other plan but the will of the Lord; who see people as beloved children of the Lord- not problems to be solved or resources to be used; who pursue silence; who choose the path of peace; who see the Lord in all things big and small; and who desire nothing more than an encounter with the Lord.
“The important thing is that we walk hand in hand with the Lord Jesus Christ” Fr Macarius, First Sermon at St Mary’s.
Memory eternal.
Christ is Risen!