tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8836001125267727609.post868731725393494483..comments2023-09-27T05:12:31.333-04:00Comments on Ancient Christian Witness: From Wittenberg to AntiochJnormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06749159886390240183noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8836001125267727609.post-68673796657231405682009-07-05T02:59:13.991-04:002009-07-05T02:59:13.991-04:00Pray for me a sinner,
Father Bless,
Gleanings from...Pray for me a sinner,<br />Father Bless,<br />Gleanings from Orthodox authors and Holy Fathers,<br />Most people desire and seek after prosperity in this life,<br /> and they strive to avoid sorrows. While that seems very good and pleasant,<br /> constant prosperity and good fortune do a person harm.<br /> He falls into a variety of passions and sins,<br /> and angers the Lord,<br /> while those who live a life of sorrow come closer to the Lord and more readily attain unto salvation,<br /> for the Lord called the life of happiness the broad path.<br /> The wide gates and the broad way lead to destruction,<br /> and many there be who take that way (Matthew 7:13). It is the narrow way and the strait gate which lead to life eternal,<br /> and few there be who find it (Matthew 7:14).<br /> Thus, according to His love for us,<br /> seeing the possible benefit [of sorrows] to those who are worthy, the Lord moves many off the broad road and puts them on the narrow, sorrowful path,<br /> so that in [their] patient endurance of sickness and sorrow, He might effect their salvation and grant them life eternal. Counsels of Venerable ''St. Makary (Ivanov)'' of Optina<br />Pray for me a sinner,<br />ICXC NIKA<br />eleniAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com