A balanced view of sorrow

There never was and there never will be a place on earth free from sorrows.  The only sorrowless place possible is the heart, when the Lord is present there. 

 

 

PODCAST:  The Sorrows and wisdom of Mary 

http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/voicefromisles/the_sorrows_and_wisdom_of_mary



If you wish to acquire love

He who desires to acquire love must first reject every angry and malicious thought—not to mention actions and words—and must forgive all offenses—just and unjust. 

Fleeing oneself

A place does not save you.  There is no place where you can flee from yourself. 

 

On cordiality

 

With all the people you meet on the path of life, behave as you would like them to behave with you. 

Where can I flee?

A place does not save you.  There is no place where you can flee from yourself. 

On discord

Discord destroys people. 

The passing things of this world

We must entrust everything to the will of God, even our being separated from each other.  The Lord enlighten us in order that we not become attached to the things of this world, no matter how precious they might seem, in order that we might strive for the heavenly, saving our souls.  Strive only to save your soul, for everything else is vanity.  Everything of this world is ephemeral.  Our thoughts must be with God, in the future life.  Everything of this world will pass. 

 

The mask of good

With the mask of good remaining in fallen nature, the enemy strives to draw everyone away from Christ, cunningly showing that fallen good is the only good, which is the way it seems to someone who does not know the teachings of Christ. 

Regardless of all the seductions of the enemy, whoever would adhere to the Gospel teachings must unavoidably experience a struggle within himself.  Fallen nature loves itself and loves this world, while the Gospel requires self-sacrifice and love of God. 

Therefore, the two can never be reconciled.

Our hope is in the Lord our God

One must always pray that the Lord will show him the way…Let us pray to the Lord that He will save us and will come to our aid in times of sorrow and need.  I see no other refuge or hope.  Human solutions are vain and mistaken.  When you have to endure something which is very difficult, but you know that it is not of your own will, you receive moral relief and peace of soul.  May God’s will be done!  May the Lord not discredit our faith and devotion to His will.  Our only hope is in God.  He is our firm foundation for everything else is unsure.  You absolutely do not know where it might be better, where it might be worse, or what to expect.  May God’s will be done!  Our work is to preserve ourselves in the faith, and to keep ourselves from every sin, and entrust everything else to God. 

 

Where can I flee?

A place does not save you.  There is no place where you can flee from yourself.  St. Nikon of Optina