Spiritual Guidance The spiritual struggle of a Christian has never been easy, He has to contend not only against the obvious temptations of the world and against the corruption in himself, not only "against flesh and blood, but against... the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12) In addition to the decisive support which participation in the life of the Church offers hime, he is comforted by the knowledge that there exists a "great cloud of witnesses," those who have already been through the same struggles and know how to advise and encourage people who follow in their footsteps. The spiritual experience of numerous ascetics is contained in crystallized form in the writings of the Fathers. We can draw on their spiritual wisdom when it is hard to find living examples and guides for the spiritual life, as is the case in our time. Humble enjoyment of the teachings of the Fathers, whether in the monastic cell of an elder or through books, is a basic part of Orthodox devotional life. "He who has learned obedience," the Fathers advise, "will himself be heard and will enter boldly into the presence of the Crucified One," for the Crucicifed Lord Himself was "obedient unto death." (Phil. 2:8) Archbishop Paul of Finland "The Faith We Hold" SVS Press, 1980
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 06:13:27 +0000
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