just how is one to be

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Guard the Heart Saint Theophan

 

 on guarding the heart

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“Just how is one to be?…to shun everyone is, of course impossible, but refuse whenever possible to enter into this circle of worldly life.   When it does pull you against your will, act as if you were not there.

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look but do not see, listen but do not hear

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Let what you see pass by your eyes and what you hear pass by your ears.  Outwardly behave like everyone else, be straightforward and sincere, but guard your heart from sympathies and attractions.

The main thing is to guard the heart, then you will be there in body but not in soul, faithfully carrying out the commandment of the Apostle  ‘be as they that use this world, as not abusing it ‘(1 Cor 7:31)”

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 Saint Theophan the Recluse

the force of love

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Romans 8:35-39

“the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12)

“No one on this earth can avoid affliction and although the afflictions that the Lord sends are not great – men imagine them beyond their strength and are crushed by them.  This is because they will not humble their souls and commit themselves to the Will of God. But the Lord Himself guides with Grace those who are given over to God’s will and they bear all things with fortitude for the sake of God whom they so loved. And through Him they are glorified forever.  It is impossible to escape tribulation in this world but the man who is given over to the Will of God bears tribulation easily by putting his trust in the Lord – so his tribulations pass.  Embracing suffering with Faith and Trust – that is the key to beating them without getting crushed by them.

+Elder Sophrony

blessing from all eternity

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The truth is that God loved us before we were born and will love us still after we have died. God molded us in the depths of the earth. God knitted us together in our mothers’ wombs. God has inscribed us on the palm of his hand. Every hair on our heads is numbered and counted by God. We are held by God in an everlasting embrace. We belong to God from eternity to eternity. Indeed, we are God’s daughters and sons. As beloved children, our core identity is secure in the memory of God. Whether we do anything worthwhile, prove anything important, or give anything of value, God still loves us unconditionally. It is a strong, vital, and active fatherly and motherly kind of love that holds us safe and affirms our worth, wherever we go and whatever we do.

Henri Nouwen

let us lift up our hearts

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Reflections on the Lord's Prayer

“In order to hear the Lord’s Prayer and participate in it, it is first necessary to rid ourselves of that inner confusion, that fragmentation our attention, that spiritual sloppiness by which we constantly live… we regularly hide from everything that seems too exalted and spiritually meaningful… Indeed so much of our inner strength is directed at stifling this inner voice, which calls us to an encounter with the ultimate.” Father Alexander Schmemmann

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 When we say “Our Father”  … we find the meaning of love; and the answer to love; here lies the experience of intimacy and the joy of this experience; here faith opens into trust; and dependence yields to freedom; intimacy and ultimately unfolds as joy.  This is no longer and idea about God, but already knowledge of God. This is already communion with Him in love, in unity and trust.  This is already the beginning of knowing eternity.  For Christ himself said to the Father: “For this is eternal life, that they would know you.” (Jn 17:3)

Our Father : Father Alexander Schmemmann

simplicity

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simplicity of heart

 

We do not need riches or learning in order to know the Lord, we must simply be obedient and sober, have a humble spirit and love our fellow-men.  The Lord will love a soul that does this, and of His own accord make Himself manifest to her and instruct her in love and humility, and give her all things necessary to find rest in God.

Saint Silouan the Athonite

Christ is joy

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ChristisLife

 

Christ is our Friend, our Brother;  He is whatever is beautiful and good.  He is everything.  In Christ there is no gloom, melancholy or introversion, whereas man suffers from various temptations and situations that make him suffer.  Christ is joy, life, light, the true light, which makes man glad, makes him fly, makes him see all things, see all people suffer for all people and want all people to be with him, close to him.

Saint Silouan

kindling Divine Love

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Kindling Divine Love

 

The more wood you pile on a fire, the more heat you get, and thus it is with God – the more you think on Him, the more you are fired with love and fervour towards Him.  He who loves the Lord is always mindful of Him and remembrance of God begets prayer.

Saint Silouan