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

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

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Heb. 13:2) Accepting the task of hospitality, the patriarch [Abraham] used to sit at the entrance to his tent (cf. Gen. 18:1), inviting all who passed by, and his table was laden for all comers including the impious and barbarians, without distinction. Hence he was found worthy of that wonderful banquet when he received angels and the Master of all as guests. We too, then, should actively and eagerly cultivate hospitality, so that we may receive not only angels, but also God Himself. 'For inasmuch,' says the Lord, 'as you have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me' (Matt. 25:40). It is good to be generous to all, especially to those who cannot repay you.

In Christianity truth is not a philosophical concept nor is it a theory, a teaching, or a system, but rather, it is the living theanthropic hypostasis - the historical Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Before Christ men could only conjecture about the Truth since they did not possess it. With Christ as the incarnate divine Logos the eternally complete divine Truth enters into the world. For this reason the Gospel says: 'Truth came by Jesus Christ' (John 1:17).

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.

Never prefer gain for yourself over that which is beneficial for your brother.

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

If they are worthy, ordinary people and ascetics are provided through circumstances of their life with the opportunities to be crowned by God.

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

Mind is not soul, but a gift from God which saves the soul. A mind pleasing to God flows ahead of the soul and counsels it to scorn the temporal, material and corruptible, and to love blessings that are eternal, incorruptible and immaterial, so that, while living in the body, man should, with his mind, apprehend and contemplate the heavenly and the divine. In this way a God-loving mind is a benefactor and savior of the human soul.

With the Name of Jesus flog the foes, for there is no surer weapon against them, either on earth or in heaven.

The person who listens to Christ fills himself with light; and if he imitates Christ, he reclaims himself.

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

Do good to one who wrongs you, and God will be your friend.

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

A truly intelligent man has only one care -- wholeheartedly to obey Almighty God and to please Him. The one and only thing he teaches his soul is how best to do things agreeable to God, thanking Him for His merciful Providence in whatever may happen in his life. For just as it would be unseemly not to thank physicians for curing our body, even when they give us bitter and unpleasant remedies, so too would it be to remain ungrateful to God for things that appear to us painful, failing to understand that everything happens through His Providence for our good. In this understanding and this faith in God lie salvation and peace of soul.

If you lay down rules for yourself, do not disobey yourself; for he who cheats himself is self-deluded.

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

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