Sayings of the Holy Fathers… St. Leonid of Optina
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- Sayings of the Holy Fathers…
St. Leonid of Optina
“Beware of passionate attachments to the world. Although they deceive you with peace and comfort, they are so fleeting that you do not notice how you are deprived of them, and in their place come sorrow, longing, despondency, and no comfort whatsoever.”
“If you would be simple-hearted like the Apostles, (and you) would not conceal your human shortcomings, would not pretend to be especially pious, if you would walk free from hypocrisy, then that is the path. While it is easy, not everyone can find it or understand it. This path is the shortest way to salvation and attracts the grace of God. Unpretentiousness, guilelessness, frankness of soul - this is what is pleasing to the Lord, Who is lowly of heart. ‘Except ye become like children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of God.’ (Matthew 18:3)”
Q (Disciple): “Is mental prayer granted to everyone?”
A (St. Leonid): “Whomever the Lord visits with grievous trial, with sorrow or with the deprivation of a beloved neighbour: such a person will involuntarily pray with his whole heart, with all his thoughts and with all his mind. Consequently the wellspring of prayer is in everyone; but it is tapped either by gradually delving deeper into oneself in accordance with the teachings of the Fathers, or instantaneously, by God’s will.”
~On Why God Hides Encouraging Signs From Us
*A disciple once asked St. Leonid of Optina why after years of struggle he found himself worse instead of better, ie., more inconsiderate, colder of heart, etc. St. Leonid's response is very enlightening:
“Very few have flown up in a short time on the wings of faith and virtue into the spiritual heaven or have sensed in themselves the undying pledge of hope and the betrothal of future glory.... There are others who will never sense this during their whole life on earth; they will not sense it according to the dispensation of our heavenly Protector, God, who always provides what is best for us. For we, infants in our understanding of the judgments of Him that directs the world, often ask of Him such tools which in their own right and power are for our salvation, but we would put them to entirely detrimental use because of our inexperience. Therefore, the loving Father of lights hides from certain pious people the gifts which are for the salvation of some, but to others bring perdition. What would happen in God, Who knows all things, completely fulfilled our every wish? I think, but I'm not saying for certain, that everyone in the world would perish. Even though He does not reject the prayers of His chosen ones, God still does not at all times fulfill their desires. And this only in order to arrange everything in a better way, in keeping with His divine intent.... Just because you see yourself making no progress does not mean that you are not making any progress at all. Such feelings can plant sincere humility in your heart. And when you have the genuine awareness that you are deprived of spiritual fruit, then make an unfailing effort to force your striving for God.... When we have had no success in the virtues, there is no closer means for salvation than humbleness of mind. Haughtiness even when joined to the virtues is offensive to God; but a meek thought will not be forgotten before God."
“Try to be more attentive to yourself instead of judging the actions, behaviour and attitude of others towards you; if you do not see love in them, it is because you yourself have no love within you.”
“Wherever there is humility, there you will find simplicity, and this God-given manifestation does not test His providence.”
“God does not disdain prayers, but sometimes does not grant the desires expressed therein, specifically in order to have things come out better, in accordance with His Divine intent. What would happen if the All-knowing God completely fulfilled our wishes? I believe all human beings would eventually perish.”
“Those who live without being attentive to themselves will never be the recipients of grace.”
“If you do not have tranquility within yourself-know that you are lacking humility. This the Lord showed to us in the following words, which at the same time demonstrate where one should look for tranquility. He said: ‘Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls.’” (Matthew 11:29)
“Above all keep from blaming and judging your close ones. We do have something to worry about: our sinful sores stink-we have to busy ourselves about them. You will not have to answer for others, only for yourself.”
“Whoever feels that what he does is according to God, it will not be bad for him here, and it will be good for him there.”
“Keeping the Lord’s commandments revives the soul; it brings peace to your body, and abundant comfort.”
Reached capacity:
☦Thank you. "Holy Orthodoxy", indeed. I am understanding much more about such words than i would have only a few months ago.
Through the prayers of St. Leonid, oh, Lord, have mercy on us.
Заступи, спаси, помилуй и сохрани нас БОЖЕ 🙏🏻ТВОЕЮ благодатию 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Аминь!
Amen ❤
Thank you for this video and God bless you.
@joepavone3586; Thank you for your kind words. May the good Lord bless you and your family. Glory be to God for all things! 🙏☦️
🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤