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

In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire; at first they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek -- as it is said, 'Our God is a consuming fire' -- so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.

Strive to love every man equally, and you will simultaneously expel all the passions.

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

The soul's health consists in dispassion and spiritual knowledge; no slave to sensual pleasure can attain it.

All sin is due to sensual pleasure, all forgiveness to hardship and distress.

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

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

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

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

If you are not willing to repent through freely choosing to suffer, unsought sufferings will providentially be imposed on you.

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

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

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

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

The intellect becomes a stranger to the things of this world when its attachment to the senses has been completely sundered.

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

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

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

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

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