"Even at the very moment of
someone’s death, if you see him sinning, do not judge him—not even then. For
God’s judgment is unknown to men. Some have fallen openly into grave sins, yet
in secret, they have performed far greater acts of goodness. Thus, those who
are quick to condemn have been deceived; what they held in their hands was
merely smoke, not the sun."
~ Saint John of the Ladder
Bless, don’t curse
"The All-Good One, my dear child,
does nothing that is not for the benefit of our soul. Whether it be an illness
or a temptation—whatever He allows to come upon us—He does so for our own good.
Yet, often, not understanding this, we grumble, become indignant, and commit
many wrongs. He, however, out of His abundant love, looks solely to the
well-being of our soul. For He knows that our time here is fleeting, and that
all things soon pass away." "And when this exile of ours comes to an
end, and the true eyes of the soul are opened, then we shall give thanks for
everything with a grateful heart."
~ Saint Joseph the Hesychast and
Cave-dweller, *Expression of Monastic Experience*, Letter 50
On prayer
"Pray without anxiety—calmly, and
with trust in the love and Providence of God. Do not grow weary in
prayer."
~ Saint Porphyrios the Kausokalyvites,
the clairvoyant and wonderworker.
Human life without God
"Without God, every form of
happiness is cursed and impoverished; life is death, and joy and sweetness turn
to bitterness. With God, even misfortune becomes a blessing, poverty becomes
wealth, obscurity becomes glory, dishonor becomes honor, and trials are filled
with consolation. Without God, it is impossible to find true rest, peace, or
comfort."
~ Saint Tikhon, Bishop of Zadonsk
Spiritual warfare
"You must become more courageous.
Stand chest-to-chest against these bodiless spirits. Do not fear them." Do
you not see, with every prayer you offer, how many fall, how many turn their
backs and flee? You only see how much *you* are wounded.
But they, too, are struck; they, too,
flee. With every act of patience we exercise, they retreat in haste, and with
every prayer, they suffer severe wounds.
Therefore, do not expect that, in the
midst of war—while you are firing bullets and shells—they should respond by
throwing Turkish delight and chocolates at you.
~ Elder Joseph the Hesychast
Patience
If a physical illness befalls you, a
wise Elder advises, do not lose your patience and do not grumble. If it is
God’s will that your body should suffer, why do you chafe against it? Does He
not care for you? Can you even exist for a single moment apart from His will?
Be patient, and pray that God may grant you whatever is most beneficial for
your soul. This is what He asks of you. When the Brethren show their love for
you during your illness by bringing gifts, accept them with gratitude and pray
for them.
~ Gerontikon (Sayings of the Desert
Fathers)
High-mindedness distances us from God
“Walk through your life with
simplicity, and do not act as if you are wise before God. Faith dwells where
there is simplicity, whereas high-mindedness accompanies the person who engages
in subtle and clever reasoning—presenting things as different from what they
truly are. This, however, distances him from God.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
On children
“If you wish to leave great wealth to
your children, entrust them to the providence of God. When He sees that you
place such trust in Him—recognizing Him as a co-heir—how could He fail to
provide them with every good thing?”
Saint John Chrysostom
Open the door of your heart to Christ
Often, Christ comes and knocks; you
invite Him to sit in the living room of your soul, yet, absorbed in your own
affairs, you forget about this great Guest.
He waits for you to appear; He waits,
but when you take too long, He rises and departs. At other times, you are so
preoccupied that you answer Him from the window. You don’t even
have time to open it.”
Saint Amphilochios
of Patmos
