My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
JEALOUSY AND ON SELF-LOVE
[An Athonite Gerontikon]
Our contemporary venerates venerable elder and Saint Paisios once said the following during one of his talks to nuns:
"When one distances himself from vain things, his thoughts automatically turn to God. It is easier for women to give themselves over to God because they think with their hearts, while men are hindered by their rational way of thinking. The Apostles bolted the door and hid themselves away, while the women, following their hearts, proceeded to Golgotha and to the Holy Sepulchre. But women are in danger of wasting their emotions on small, vain things. It is easy to give your heart to small vanities, so that in the end there is nothing left over for Christ.
You are not satisfied with simple necessities, and instead, desire those things which are beautiful, ornate, and pleasant. You would thus prefer a glass which had a little flower painted on it, a tablecloth that was embroidered, tables and chairs that had been carved, and so forth. In this way the heart is dispersed. Do not waste your heart foolishly...Women in their practical daily lives love such fine detail, just as they do in their spiritual lives; but being occupied with fine details in the practical realm allows Satan to do his own meticulous destructive work. Do not attach yourselves to ephemeral things, but only to God. Do not become lost in the sea of detail; rather, simplify your spiritual struggle by beginning with the obvious passions. If your greater passions are cut off, the small ones are cut off and disappear easily as well. Do not dwell on your past life or your childhood transgressions for new doors have now opened.
Always live in a state of continuous doxology and gratitude, because the greatest sin is ingratitude and the worst sinner is the one who is ungrateful."
Saint Paisios also said:
"Women are full of love. But Satan poisons their love and turns it to envy. Women love themselves excessively. We are tormented from this kind of love. If we step out of this self-love, then it remains all for Christ and our fellow man."
And he said:
"A jealous man reaches the point of avoiding the person he envies. A jealous woman cannot rest until her adversary is totally wiped out."
An elder said:
"Within human contrariety, God's harmony is hidden. For example, in a marriage two different personalities can experience harmony. Thus women with their emotional wealth should bring men closer to God."
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"--Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George