n His Loving-kindness God has given up purifying commandments so that, if we wish, we can by their observance be cleansed not only of sin but also of passions themselves. Passions are: anger, vanity, love of pleasures, hatred, evil lust and the like. Sins are the actual operations of passions, when a man puts them into practice, that is, performs with the body the actions to which his passions urge him. For it is possible to have passions and yet not to act from them.

The God of the Old Testament was the Holy God. The word holy means separate, different, unlike anything else that exists.

Remember, O my soul, the terrible and frightful wonder: that your Creator for your sake became Man, and deigned to suffer for the sake of your salvation. His Angels tremble, the Cherubim are terrified, the Seraphim are in fear, and all the heavenly powers ceaselessly give praise; and you, unfortunate soul, remain in laziness. At least from this time forth arise and do not put off, my beloved soul, holy repentance, contrition of heart and penance for your sins. Putting them off year after year, month after month, day after day, you will not at all desire with your whole heart to repent, and you will not find one to have compassion on you, O! with what torture you will then begin to repent, but without success. Having the opportunity today to do some good deed, do not put off until tomorrow, my beloved soul, holy repentance, because you do not know what today will bring forth or what misfortune might happen to you this night.

In his Epistle to the Hebrews Saint Paul says, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which n one will see the Lord." The Christian believes that Christ is our peace and therefore the way of peace is the way of Christ. Pelagius writes: "Everything which resembles the teaching of God is at peace with Him, but everything which is contrary to it is at odds with Him." Saint Basil the Great speaking on the significance of peace writes: "For the true peace is above. Yet, as long as we were bound to the flesh, we were yoked to many things which trouble us. Seek, then, after peace, a release from the troubles of this world. Possess a calm mind, a tranquil and unconfused state of soul, which is neither agitated by the passions nor drawn aside by false doctrines that challenge by their persuasiveness to an assent, in order that you may obtain 'the peace of God which surpasses all understanding and guards your heart.' He who seeks after peace, seeks Christ, because 'He Himself is our peace,' Who has made two men into one new man, making peace, and 'making peace through the blood of His Cross, whether on earth or in heaven." (Homilies 16.10)

The mind is first of all in wonder when it reflects on God's universal infinity and that inaccessible and greatly desired ocean. Next it is amazed at how from nothing He has brought into existence everything that is. But just as, "of His greatness there is no end," so is His wisdom and unsearchable.

The reasonable use of thoughts and things is productive of moderation, love, and knowledge, the unreasonable use, of excess, hate and ignorance.