Wisdom from St. Isaac of Syria
Jun 14th, 2007 by michelle
Our parish office assistant emailed these insightful words from St. Isaac of Syria:
Do not be astonished if, when you begin to practice virtue, severe tribulations break out against you on every side. Virtue is not accounted virtue if it is not accompanied by difficulty and by labors. That is why all those who in the fear of the Lord wish to live in Jesus Christ will suffer affliction.
For He says, ‘Whoever wants to follow Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. If anyone wishes to save his life in comfort, he will lose it; if anyone shall lose his life for my sake, he shall find it.’ (Matt. 16:24, 10:39)
For this reason, then, our Lord placed before you the cross, that you might sentence yourself to death, and then send forth your spirit to go after Him.
