Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom (source)
"There is nothing else that can help
appease anger and all the passions as much as love for God and for
every fellow man. It is with love rather than with other struggles
that you can win easily. In addition, when love reigns in your nous
you feel no pain while struggling. For this reason, "love never
faileth" (1 Cor. 13:8), as long as you constantly steer the
soul's rudder towards it. And no matter what happens, you shout your
maxim: "For the sake of Thy love, Jesus, my sweet love, I will
endure curses, disgraces, injustices, toils, and all afflictions that
I might encounter!" And at once, while you are pondering these
words, the burden of pain is lightened, and the demons' bitterness
ceases.
"Let me tell you a true story. Once,
because of my continual and frightful temptations, I was overcome
with sadness and faintheartedness, and I presented my case to God as
if I had been treated unjustly. I was complaining because He kept
allowing so many temptations to befall me without curbing them even a
little, that I couldn't even catch my breath. In this time of
bitterness, I heard a very sweet and clear voice within me say with
extreme compassion, "Will you not endure everything for My
love?" As soon as I heard that voice, I broke out with many
tears and repented for being overcome with faintheartedness. I shall
never forget that voice, which was so sweet that the temptation and
all my faintheartedness immediately disappeared.
"Will you not endure
everything for my love?"
"O truly sweet Love! For Thy
love, we are crucified and endure everything!"
Elder Joseph the Hesychast, "Monastic Wisdom: Eighth Letter"
(source)
An icon of the Blessed Elder Joseph the Cave-dweller and Hesychast (+ August 15th / 28th 1959). This year completes 55 years since his blessed repose. We pray that we might follow his great spiritual example, according to our strength, and that he might pray for us all to the Most-merciful Lord. (source)
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
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