Poor peoples need is persistent in its requirements, and is, sometimes, even shameless. So also our passions are obstinate and persistent, insolent and shameless—fornication, malice for instance, avarice, covetousness, envy, pride, theft, heresy, dissent, superstition, idolatry. But let us yield to the reasonably persistent requests of the needy poor and suffering; it will serve to our salvation, to our eternal bliss. For as the poor and suffering compel us to compassion, so let us mutually compel ourselves to almsgiving. Let us compel ourselves to good, works, whilst there is yet time, as sin compels us to that by which we continually transgress and anger God. Let us increase for ourselves the food of the fire of Gehenna, which, by degrees, already begins to be kindled here in our hearts, and foreshows to us the eternal flame, where there shall be everlasting lamentation and gnashing of teeth. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. The enemy likewise endeavours to force into Gehenna all the imprudent, unbelieving, unrepentant, and those who are passionately attached to the blessings of this life. St John of Kronstadt
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:04:14 +0000
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