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O strange and inconceivable thing! We did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again, but our imitation was but a figure, while our salvation is in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things have been vouchsafed to us, that we, by imitation communicating in His sufferings, might gain salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ received the nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and endured anguish; while to me without suffering or toil, by the fellowship of His pain He vouchsafed salvation. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, On the Christian Sacraments. + + + Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins. Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the voluntary endurance of all afflictions. A penitent is the inflicter of his own punishments. Repentance is a mighty persecution of the stomach, and a striking of the soul into vigorous awareness. St. John Climacus + + + Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three following things: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the most despicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one, and that they are even more pitiable than the demons, since they are slaves to the demons. You will also profit if you say this to yourself: how do I know what or how many other people's sins are, or whether they are greater than or equal to my own? In our ignorance you and I , my soul, are worse than all men, we are dust and ashes under their feet. How can I not regard myself as more despicable than all other creatures, for they act in accordance with the nature they have been given, while I, owing to my innumerable sins, am in a state contrary to nature. St. Gregory of Sinai, Philokalia, Vol. IV. + + + He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to be defended against himself. There is, of course, no man who so lives as not sometimes to sin, but he wishes truth to be loved more than himself, who wills to be spared by no one against the truth. Wherefore, Peter willingly accepted the rebuke of Paul; David willingly hearkened to the reproof of a subject. For good rulers who pay no regard to self-love, , take as a homage to their humility the free and sincere words of subjects. But in this regard the office of ruling must be tempered with such great art of moderation, that the minds of subjects, when demonstrating themselves capable of taking right views in some matters, are given freedom of expression, but freedom that does not issue into pride, otherwise, when liberty of speech is granted too generously, the humility of their own lives will be lost. St. Gregory The Great, Pastoral Care + + + The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the gospel, and by them we also have learned the truth, that is, the teaching of the Son of God - as the Lord said to them, `He who hears you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me, and Him Who sent Me' [Lk.10:16]. For we learned the plan of our salvation from no other than from those through whom the gospel came to us. The first preached it abroad, and then later by the will of God handed it down to us in Scriptures, to be the foundation and pillar of our faith. For it is not right to say that they preached before they had come to perfect knowledge, as some dare to say, boasting that they are the correctors of the apostles. For after our Lord had risen from the dead, and they were clothed with the power from on high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with all things and had perfect knowledge. They went out to the ends of the earth, preaching the good things that come to us from God, and proclaiming peace from heaven to all men, all and each of them equally being in possession of the gospel of God. St. Irenaeus, Against the Heresies, III + + + The Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three followingthings: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the mostdespicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one,and that they are even more pitiable than the demons, since theyare slaves to the demons. You will also profit if you say this toyourself: how do I know what or how many other people's sins are,or whether they are greater than or equal to my own? In ourignorance you and I , my soul, are worse than all men, we are dustand ashes under their feet. How can I not regard myself as moredespicable than all other creatures, for they act in accordancewith the nature they have been given, while I, owing to myinnumerable sins, am in a state contrary to nature.:St. [[Gregory of Sinai]], ''[[Philokalia]]'', Vol. IV.----The wicked one, on the watch, carried me off as booty as I lazily slept.He led my mind into error; he plundered my spirit and snatched awayThe wealth of Thy grace, this arch robber.So raise me up, as I am fallen, and summon me, Saviour,Thou who dost will that all men be saved.:Kontakia of St. Romanos, A Prayer.----Be strong in Me; and you, too, Andrew; just as you were the firstto find Me, you were found by me; so find the one who haswandered;Do not forget your first skill; from it I shall educate you forthis new art.Formerly, naked into the deep sea, now naked into life;Formerly, hunting with a fishing-rod, now taught to fish with thecross;Formerly, you used a worm as bait; now I order you to hunt with Myflesh.I alone know what is in the heart.:Kontakia of St. Romanos, On the Mission of the Apostles.----Beguiling and deceptive is the life of the world, fruitless itslabor, perilous its delight, poor its riches, delusive its honors,inconstant, insignificant; and woe to those who hope in itsseeming
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