ephrem

Cell Notes
2011-07-26 03:51:50 (UTC)

Repentance

"Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honour your patience."
St. John Climacus – The Ladder of Divine Ascent
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You are, I am sure, aware that for your penitence is now no longer limited to disclosing your sins to your confessor, but that you must now bear your sins in mind always, until your heart nearly breaks with their ugly load; and would break, were it not for your firm faith in the mercy of our Lord. - St. Makarios of Optina
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We should not put off repentance, for we know not the hour of our death.
Do not rely on the evil one, who instills in you deceptive ideas, saying “You are still young, and will still live a long time. Therefore enjoy yourself now, and do not worry about your soul; you will repent when you are old.”If you do not repent when you are young, at an age when you are in full of strength, able to bear any burden and endure your podvig, then will you not, in old age, use your weakness as your justification? - St. Ephraim of Syria
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No one is as good and kind as the Lord is; but He does not forgive one who does not repent. - St. Mark the Ascetic
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While a wound is still new and warm, it is easy to heal.Old wounds, carelessly left to fester are not easily healed, but require much effort, cutting, dusting [with medications] and cauterizations. With time, many wounds become intractable but for God everything is possible (Matthew 19: 26).The later the repentance, the more arduous it becomes. - St John of the Ladder
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Always remain in a state of repentance, the foundation of our salvation, for we know not the day or the hour at which the Lord will come. - St. Nilus of Sinai
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A brother said to Abba Mateos, “Give me a word.” He said to him, “Restrain the spirit of controversy in yourself regarding everything, and weep, have compunction, for the time is drawing near.”
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If a man has sinned and denies it saying, 'I have not sinned,' do not reprimand him for that will discourage him. But say to him, 'Do not lose heart, brother, but be on guard in the future,' and you will stir his soul to repentance. Abba Poemen the Shepherd
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Repentance which is true and truly from the heart persuades the penitent not to sin any more, not to mix with corrupt people, and not to gape in curiosity at evil pleasures, but to despise things present, cling to things to come, struggle against passions, seek after virtues, be self-controlled in every respect, keep vigil with prayers to God, and shun dishonest gain. It convinces him to be merciful to those who wrong him, gracious to those who ask something of him, ready with all his heart to bend down and help in any way He can, whether by words, actions or money, all who seek His assistance, that through kindness to his fellow-man he might gain God's love in return for loving his neighbor, draw the Divine favour to himself, and attain to eternal mercy and God's everlasting blessing and grace.
St. Gregory Palamas




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