A collection of scriptural meditations from Saints and Fathers of the Church.

Be concentrated without self-display, withdrawn into your heart. For the demons fear concentration as thieves fear dogs.

Where a fall has overtaken us, there pride has already pitched its tent; because a fall is an indication of pride.

The man who pets a lion may tame it, but the man who coddles the body makes it ravenous.

It is not safe to swim in one's clothes, nor should a slave of passion touch theology.

The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.

O, you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God is suffering, and how much it helps in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything; but you would rather look upon it as a great happiness to bear the Cross of the Lord.

A little fire softens a large piece of wax. So, too, a small indignity often softens, sweetens and wipes away suddenly all the fierceness, insensibility & hardness of our heart.

A sign of deliverance from our falls is the continual reckoning of ourselves as debtors.

If you feel sweetness or compunction at some word of your prayer, dwell on it; for then our guardian angel is praying with us.

Do not hesitate to go late at night to those places where you usually feel afraid. But if you yield only a little to such weakness, then this childish and ridiculous infirmity will grow old with you. As you go on your way, arm yourself with prayer. When you reach the place, stretch out your hands. Flog your enemies with the name of Jesus, for there is no stronger weapon in heaven or earth. When you get rid of the disease of fear, praise Him who has delivered you. If you continue to be thankful, He will protect you for ever.

A servant of the Lord is he who in body stands before men, but in mind knocks at Heaven with prayer.

Increasing self-criticism is the sign of increasing humility. Indeed, there is no clearer sign.

True joy is the joy of consolation, the joy that wells up in the knowledge of one's own weakness and the Lord's mercy, and that does not need the bared teeth of laughter to express itself.

Offer to the Lord the weakness of your nature, fully acknowledging your own powerlessness, and imperceptibly you will receive the gift of chastity.

Satiety of the stomach dries the tear sprints, but the stomach when dried produces these waters.

Just as over-drinking is a matter of habit, so too from habit comes over-sleeping. Therefore we must struggle with the question of sleep, especially in the early days of obedience, because a long-standing habit is difficult to cure.

A person standing at an open window hears the sounds from outside; it is impossible not to do so. But he can give the voices his attention or not, as he himself wishes. The praying person is continually beset by a stream of inappropriate thoughts, feelings and mental impressions. To stop this tiresome stream is as impracticable as to stop the air from circulating in an open room. But one can notice them or not. This, say the saints, one learns only through practice.

Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.

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Archangel Michael Orthodox Church
5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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440-526-5192 (Phone)