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

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

Long-suffering and readiness to forgive curb anger; love and compassion wither it.

Control your stomach, sleep, anger, and tongue, and you will not 'dash your foot against a stone.'

If the saints, who had attained passionlessless, had to be vigilant over themselves so as not to fall from their state of grace - then all the more is daily attentiveness and concern over our eternal salvation necessary for us sinners. The fact that we are still alive means that the Lord patiently endures our sins and awaits our amendment, and if someone lawfully labors for his salvation, the Lord takes him at a time when he becomes worthy of God’s mercy.

Love and self-control purify the soul.

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

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

Keep the commandments, and you will find peace; love God, and you will attain spiritual knowledge.

We are sons of God or of Satan according to whether we conform to goodness or to evil.

It is an insult to the intelligence to be subject to what lacks intelligence and to concern itself with shameful desires.

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

Everything has already begun, and everything always begins anew for the Church, with the Resurrection of our Lord.

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

You write that after Communion you felt well. Glory be to God, Who comforts our unworthiness. And as regards the fact that this soon passed, here also is seen His fatherly providence for us. For continual consolation enfeebles the soul and makes it slothful, or leads to even greater harm. That is why the Lord takes it away quickly and again makes us feel our weakness, our helplessness, and our sinfulness. We must humble ourselves more, reproach ourselves, offer repentance for our sins, and not desire consolations, but patiently endure what God allows. Dryness and cooling of fervor are also permitted on account of vainglory.

Tedium is the granddaughter of despondency, and the daughter of slothfulness. In order to drive it away, labor at your work, and do not be slothful in prayer. The tedium will pass, and zeal will come. And if to this you add patience and humility, then you will be rid of all misfortunes and evils.

Self-love -- that is, friendship for the body -- is the source of evil in the soul.

If, wishing to correct another, you are moved to anger, you gratify your own passion. Do not lose yourself in order to save another.

If a man accuses himself, he is protected on all sides.

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)