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

Self-control and strenuous effort curb desire; stillness and intense longing for God wither it.

Abba Or used to say this, 'Do not speak in your heart against your brother like this: 'I am a man of more sober and austere life than he is,' but put yourself in subjection to the grace of Christ, in the spirit of poverty and genuine charity, or you will be overcome by the spirit of vainglory and lose all you have gained. For it is written in the Scriptures: 'Let him who stands take heed lest he fall.' (I Corinthians 10:12) Let your salvation be founded in the Lord.'

Spiritual freedom is release from the passions; without Christ’s mercy you cannot attain it.

Love and self-control purify the soul.

The person who is unaffected by the things of this world loves stillness; and he who loves no human thing loves all men.

Listlessness is an apathy of soul; and a soul becomes apathetic when sick with self-indulgence.

The study of divine principles teaches knowledge of God to the person who lives in truth, longing and reverence.

Concern for one's soul means hardship and humility, for through these God forgives us all our sins.

He who fears God will pay careful attention to his soul and will free himself from communion with evil.

Just as desire and rage multiply our sins, so self-control and humility erase them.

Patient endurance is the soul's struggle for virtue; where there is struggle for virtue, self-indulgence is banished.

The greatest weapons of someone striving to lead a life of inward stillness are self-control, love, prayer, and spiritual reading.

Spiritual reading and prayer purify the intellect, while love and self-control purify the soul's passionate aspect.

Break the bonds of your friendship for the body and give it only what is absolutely necessary.

If you abandon God and are a slave to the passions, you cannot reap God's mercy.

Blessed stillness gives birth to blessed children: self-control, love and pure prayer.

Worldly virtues promote human glory, spiritual virtues the glory of God.

Fear of the Lord conquers desire, and distress that accords with God's will repulses sensual pleasure.

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5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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