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

The foundation of every virtue is the realization of human weakness.

The martyrs will show their torments, the ascetics their good works; but what will I have to show but my apathy and my incessant indulgence?

Do not be surprised that when you draw near to virtue, grievous and intense tribulations come to you on all sides: for virtue is not considered virtue, if it does not involve hard work.

If you have received from God the gift of knowledge, however limited, beware of neglecting charity and temperance. They are virtues which radically purify the soul from passions and so open the way of knowledge continually.

Rejoice when you perform the virtues, but do not become exalted, lest, arriving at the pier, you suffer a shipwreck.

Do not regard the feelings of a person who speaks to you about his neighbor disparagingly, but rather say to him: 'Stop, brother! I fall into graver sins every day, so how can I criticize him?' In this way you will achieve two things: you will heal yourself and your neighbor with one plaster. This is one of the shortest ways to the forgiveness of sins; I mean, not to judge. 'Judge not, and ye shall not be judged,' (Luke 6:37).

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

Should you accuse and condemn yourself before God for the sins on your conscience, you will be justified for doing so.

Virtue is not accounted virtue if it is not accompanied by difficulty and labors.

He who believes in Christ is not judged, for he judges himself, and sets his feet aright to follow the light that goes before him. As a man in deep darkness adapts his step to the candle in his hand, so also he who believes in Christ; that is, he who is set to follow after Christ as the light in the darkness of life.

Virtues do not stop demons attacking us, but keep us unscathed by them.

We must with unflagging zeal and care give ourselves to the pursuit of virtue, and constantly occupy ourselves in its practice, lest at any time progress may cease, and regress immediately take its place.... To cease to acquire means to lose, for the will which goes no longer forward will not be far from peril of falling back.

Blessed is he who preaches virtue by means of his deeds. But if you say something that pertains to virtue, but do the opposite, this will not save you.

True virtue consists in victory over one’s own self, not to do what our corrupt nature wills, but what the holy will of God desires.

How much joy, how much peace of soul would a man not have wherever he went... if he was one who habitually accused himself.

Self-condemnation always brings peace and rest to the heart.

The body of Christ is active virtues; he who tastes them will be free from passions.

Who has conquered the body? He who has made the heart contrite. Who then has made the heart contrite? He who has denied himself.

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5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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