This is a quote from a contemporary saint or “elder” in the Romanian Orthodox Church, Cleopa of the Sihastria Monastery. He was told to end his letters with this wish. It reminds me of other expressions of the same theme:
”Like a drop of water in the ocean” or “like a river merging into the ocean” in Upanishads
“[Christ] must increase, but I must decrease” in the Bible (John 3:30)
Normally we fear the idea of being overwhelmed and consumed by something else. That threatening other is an enemy to us. Imagine, though, if what is consuming us is something we cherish more than ourselves. Happy are those who have found someone or something higher than themselves to love, to serve.
May heaven consume you.
May love
truth
beauty
[insert your highest value] consume you.
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