on the love of God

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Shenandoah Mountains

The sufferings of this present age undertaken for the truth can not be compared with the delights that is prepared for those who labor in good works. And just as the sheaves of gladness follow for those who sow with tears, so joy follows for those who suffer hardship for the sake of God. Bread procured with much sweat seems sweet to the husbandman, and sweet are works for righteousness sake to the heart which has received the knowledge of Christ.

Suffer contempt and humiliation with good will, that you may have boldness before God. The man who with knowledge endures all manner of harsh words without having previously wronged his chide, at that moment places a crown of thrown on his head, and he is blessed, for he is crowned with an imperishable crown in a time he knows not.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria

Homily Four : On the Love of God and Renunciation and the Rest Which is in God

love humility and prudence

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Be free, though your are bound in a body, and for Christ’s sake, show forth obedience in your freedom. But also be prudent in your simplicity, lest you be plundered. Love humility in all your activities that you be delivered from the imperceptible snares that are always found outside the pathways of humble men. Do not reject afflictions, for through them you will enter in the knowledge of the truth, and do not fear temptations, because therein you find precious things.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily Three

awaken to wonder

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Not every man is wakened to wonder by what is said spiritually and has great power concealed in it. A word concerning virtue has need of a heart unbusied with the earth and its converse.

Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria

Homily One, Number 21

the things of God

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The things of God, they say, come of themselves, without one being aware of it. Yes, but only if the place is clean and undefiled. If the pupil of your soul’s eye is not pure, do not venture to gaze at the orb of the sun, lest you be deprived of your sight – which is simple faith, humility, confession from the heart, and your small labors according to your capacity.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily Two

On Thankfulness to God, In Which there are Also Elementary Lessons

pursue mercy

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Do you wish to commune with God in your intellect by receiving a perception of that delight which is not enslaved to the senses? Pursue mercy, for when something that is like unto God is found in you, then that holy beauty is depicted by Him. For the whole sum of the deeds of mercy immediately brings the soul into communion with the unity of the glory of the Godheads splendor.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria

Homily One, Number 7

there is no other path

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A man who talks of virtue from the experience of his own labour transmits virtue to his hearer just as though he distributes money earned from his own commerce, and as it were from out of his own possessions he sows his teaching in the ears of those who give him ear. Such a man opens his mouth with boldness before his spiritual children.

The Ascentical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily One Number 38

kindred word

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Everything is won’t to run to it’s kindred; and the soul that has a share of the Spirit , on hearing a phrase that has spiritual power hidden within, ardently draws out its content on herself.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily One – Number 26

thankfulness to God

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The Thanksgiving of the receiver incites the Giver to give gifts greater than the first. He that returns no thanks in small matters is a dissembler and dishonest in greater ones also. If a man is ill and he recognizes his ailment, his healing will be easy. If he confesses his pain, he draws nigh its cure. There are many pangs for the unyielding heart, and the patient who resists his physician amplifies his torment. There is no unpardonable sin, save the unrepented one. Nor does any gift remain without addition, save that whites received without thanksgiving.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily Two : On Thankfulness to God, In Which There Are Also Essential Elementary Lessons

our strength is in God

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“Do not be negligent, for prolonged indifference will diminish the light, rather study and grow strong, always asking for divine grace, having learned that your strength is in God. Have as your example every virtue so that you may hear from your Lord the sweet voice saying, “Come to me good and faithful servant, good worker in my mystical vineyard, you have been faithful in a little way, I will reward you in a great way, come forth unto the joy of your Lord.:

For you to be worthy to hear the meek voice of the Lord you must become humble. Learn from the humility of the Lord and ask for the grace of humility so that the Lord may raise you up and reward your works.”

“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos” 

Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras

the mercy of God towards man

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“…great is the mercy of God towards man. If all the people of the earth knew how deeply the Lord loves man, their hears would be filled with love of Christ and Christ’s humility, and they would seek to be like Him in all things. But man cannot do this by himself, for it is only of the Holy Spirit that he can become like unto Christ. Man that is fallen purified himself through repentance, and is made new by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and in all t things become like unto the Lord.

So great is God’s mercy towards us.”

The Writings of Staretz Silouan Wisdom from Mount Athos

page 67