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

In everything we do, God looks as the aim, whether it is for Him or for some other purpose we act. So, when we wish to do something good, let us have as our aim not to please men but to please God, so as to have our eyes always fixed on Him, doing everything for Him, lest we bear the labor but lose the reward.

When tested by some trial you should try to find out not why or through whom it came, but only how to endure it gratefully, without distress or rancor.

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

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).

Love of God proceeds from conversing with him; this conversation of prayer comes about through stillness, and stillness comes with the stripping away of the self.

If we want to do something but cannot, then before God, Who knows our hearts, it is as if we have done it. This is true whether the intended action is good or bad.

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

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

In all our actions God looks at the intention, whether we do them for Him or from some other motive.

Stillness mortifies the outward senses and resurrects the inward movements, whereas agitation does the opposite, that is, it resurrects the outward senses and deadens the inward movements.

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

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