Words from the Saints -- October 29, 2020
Gerald Largent
"Understand the words of Holy Scripture by putting them into practice, and do not fill yourself with conceit by elaborating on theoretical ideas." --St. Mark the Ascetic
"Self-love--that is, friendship for the body--is the source of evil in the soul." --St. Thalassios the Libyan
"The person who has come to know the weakness of human nature has gained experience of divine power. Such a man, having achieved some things and eager to achieve others through this divine power, never belittles anyone. For he knows that just as God has helped him and freed him from many passions and difficulties, so, when God wishes, He is able to help all men, especially those pursuing the spiritual way for His sake. And if in His providence He does not deliver all men together from their passions, yet like a good and loving physician He heals with individual treatment each of those who are trying to make progress." --St. Maximos the Confessor
"He who does not envy the spiritually mature and is merciful to the wicked has attained an equal love for all." --St. Thalassios the Libyan
"Love every person, regardless of his sinful state. Sin is sin, but the basis of a human being is one and only--the image of God." --St. John of Kronstadt
"It avails nothing to subdue the body, if the mind allows itself to be controlled by anger." --St. Gregory the Great
"Just as a basic concern is to be careful of anything that might be harmful to our physical health, so our spiritual concern should watch out for anything that might harm our spiritual life and the work of faith and salvation. Therefore, carefully and attentively assess your inner impulses: are they from God or from the spirit of evil?" --St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco
"Every other evil is easier to conquer than pleasure, for all other evils are repulsive – while the evil of pleasure is attractive. He who frees himself from desires, frees himself from fear, for fear arises from desire." --St. Cyprian