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

Knowing the exact nature of everything, God permits each person to be tested according to his strength. As St. Paul puts it: 'God is to be trusted not to let you be tried beyond your strength, but with the trial He will provide a way out, so that you are able to bear it' (1 Cor. 10:13).

People of high spirit bear offence nobly and gladly, but only the holy and righteous can pass through praise without harm.

Make the body serve the commandments, keeping it so far as possible free from sickness and sensual pleasure.

If they will praise you, you must remain silent—do not say anything.

One who lives in idleness sins continually.

Whoever reproaches us gives us a gift, but whoever praises us, steals from us.

The roof of any house stands upon the foundations and the rest of the structure. The foundations themselves are laid in order to carry the roof. This is both useful and necessary, for the roof cannot stand without the foundations and the foundations are absolutely useless without the roof-- no help to any living creature. In the same way the grace of God is preserved by the practice of the commandments, and the observance of these commandments is laid down like foundations through the gift of God. The grace of the Spirit cannot remain with us without the practice of the commandments, but the practice of the commandments is of no help or advantage to us without the grace of God.

Ease and idleness are the destruction of the soul and they can injure her more than the demons.

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

It is a sin to spend time idly.

Grace always precedes temptation, as if to notify you saying, 'Prepare yourself and lock your doors.'

Pay no attention to praise and fear it; remember what one of the holy fathers says: 'If someone praises you, expect reproaches from him too.'

A true monk does no reproach and does not praise.

How harmful is the praise of man! Even though a person may have done something worthy of praise, when he enjoys the sound of praise he is already deprived of future glory, according to teachings of the holy fathers.

As work according to God is called virtue, so unexpected affliction is called a test.

Unless a man keeps the commandments of God, he cannot progress, even in a single virtue.

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

Those who yield themselves to idleness and apathy, even though they may be spiritual and holy, hurl themselves into unnatural subjection to passions.

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5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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