“Our heart is like the darkened earth;
the Gospel is like the sun enlightening and giving life to our hearts.
May the true sun of Thy righteousness shine in our hearts, O Lord!”
St. John of Kronstadt – My Life in Christ, pg. 241
The Christian receives great benefit from the Divine Mysteries, both in his soul and in his body, before he communes, at the time when he communes, and after he has communed. Before he communes, he must make the necessary preparation, that is, he must confess to his spiritual father, correct himself, feel compunction, acquire inner attention, guard himself from passionate thoughts as far as possible, and also from every other vice. Similarly, he must exercise self-restraint, pray, be inwardly awake, become more devout, and do every other kind of good deed, reflecting what awesome King he is about to receive within himself; especially if he considers that the grace which is given to him from Communion is proportionate to his preparation. It is evident that the more one makes such preparation, the more benefit he receives. Through holy Communion the mind is illumined, the intellect is brightened, all the powers of the soul are purified, the passions of the flesh are deadened,and the love for God is kindled. (Modern Orthodox Saints, pg. 81.)
This life is a spiritual struggle. To conquer or to be conquered! If we conquer, we will enjoy the fruits of victory through all eternity. If we are defeated, we will endure the horrors of destruction through all eternity. This life is a duel between man and all that opposes God. God is an almighty Ally to all who sincerely call upon Him for help. “This life is not a joke or a plaything,” says St. John of Kronstadt, “but men turn it into a joke and plaything. The capricious play around with the time given to us for preparing for eternity; they play around with empty words. They gather together as guests, they sit and chatter and after that they sit and play this or that game. They gather in theaters, and there they entertain themselves. All of life is an amusement for them. But woe unto them who do nothing but entertain themselves!”
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“Repent.” (Matt 4:17.) We must heed this injunction of Christ carefully, radically amend our inner life and our concept of the world; our attitude towards people and every phenomenon in the creature world; not slay our enemies but win them over with love. We must remember that there is no absolute evil. Only un-originate Goodness is Absolute. And this Goodness commanded us, “Love your enemies….” Being slain for the sake of one’s brethren is the best possible weapon for delivering them from servitude to the transducer, the devil, and preparing their souls to accept God, Who desires the salvation of all. (On Prayer, pg. 158.)
A person’s salvation depends on prayer, for this is what, unites him to God and brings him near to God. When he is near God, it is natural for him not to deviate from the right and moral road because he pays attention to every step he takes…
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