Words from the Saints -- February 23, 2023
Gerald Largent
"All men are made in God's image; but to be in His likeness is granted only to those who through great love have brought their own freedom into subjection to God. For only when we do not belong to ourselves do we become like Him who through love has reconciled us to Himself. No one achieves this unless he persuades his soul not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life." --St. Diadochos of Photiki
"Humility consists, not in condemning our conscience, but in recognizing God's grace and compassion." --St. Mark the Ascetic
"Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is no conflict without an enemy, no victory without strife." --St. Leo the Great
"Obedience to the commandments is the resurrection of the dead, for by nature life follows upon virtue." --St. Thalassios the Libyan
"If you have faith in the Lord you will fear punishment, and this fear will lead you to control the passions. Once you control the passions you will accept affliction patiently, and through such acceptance you will acquire hope in God. Hope in God separates the intellect from every worldly attachment, and when the intellect is detached in this way it will acquire love for God." --St. Maximos the Confessor