Words from the Saints -- September 5, 2024

"Hence sadness is to be judged beneficial for us in one instance alone--when we conceive it out of repentance for our sins and are inflamed by a desire for perfection, and by the contemplation of future blessedness. Of this the blessed Apostle [Paul] himself says: 'The sadness that is in accordance with God works repentance unto a lasting salvation, but the world's sadness works death' (2 Corinthians 7:10)." --St. John Cassian

"Prayer frees the mind of all thought of the sensory and raises it to God Himself, Who is above all, to converse with Him and daringly ask Him for anything. Thus a man spends his life in purity, as one who, having already experienced communion with God, is thereupon again preparing for this communion." --St. Nilus of Sinai

"On one occasion, the saint said, ‘It may be that a man seems to be silent; but if in his heart he judges others, then he is always speaking. But there are also those who all the day long speak with their tongues, but within themselves they keep true silence, for they judge no one.’" --St. Poemen

"True hope seeks the one Kingdom of God and is sure that everything necessary for this mortal life will surely be given. The heart cannot have peace until it acquires this hope. This hope pacifies it fully and brings joy to it. The most holy lips of the Savior spoke about this very hope: 'Come to Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28)." --St. Seraphim of Sarov

“Have confidence in the compassion of our Creator. Reflect well on what you are now doing, and keep before you the things you have done. Lift up your eyes to the overflowing compassion of heaven, and while He waits for you, draw near in tears to our merciful Judge. Having before your mind that He is a Just Judge, do not take your sins lightly; and having also in mind that He is compassionate, do not despair. The God-Man gives man confidence before God.” --St. Gregory the Great, Pope of Rome