“Do not wish for many things, whether they are within or out of reach. Instead, take care to Sanctify the little you have.”
“We become a reflection of Heaven by saying: ‘Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven’.”
“If we abandon ourselves in God’s hands, He will fashion us as He wants us to be. He will give us so many opportunities! He will make us meet people that are His own! We shall progress in life! And finally we shall flourish in Christ, in God. But when we want things to be according to our own petty will and tell Him, “No, I do not want that!” Then God says, “Let yourself free…” [But you insist,] “No, I will have it my way!” [He again encourages,] “Let yourself free…” [However, you do not hear Him, and stubbornly say,] “No, this is what I want!” And because He made us free, He tells us, “Well, since this is your wish, go ahead and break your little head!” Then you will come and… turn to… Him… [and say,] “Forgive me, Lord, have mercy upon me!” And even then, even with a broken head, if He opens our eyes, all will be well.”
“We find happiness and peace only by living according to God’s Commandments.”
“Let God intervene between you and your purpose, instead of letting your purpose intervene between you and God.”
“When you feel a fluttering in your heart, a deep yearning for something, this will come true after a lapse of time determined by God.”
“We should ask God everyday to break our will and make it His, so that we may become as He wants us to be.”
“We must not ‘surrender’ to His Will. This is what soldiers do. We, who are His Children, must offer Him our own will along with all our being – in whatever pitiful state we may be – and tell him: “Lord, take all my faults and imperfections and set them right.””
“If you want to do something, don’t advertise it. It will “materialize” in words and will no longer need to materialize in reality too. Keep it secret until the last moment – from everybody!”
“After obedience there comes, at the time appointed by God, direction from above.”
“This is our purpose on Earth. To try and live in the Kingdom of God, here. For how can we come and leave without sensing Paradise here? We have fallen from Paradise, but if we do not return to it here, how will we win it there?”
“We come to Monasticism like those sharp rocks from a quarry which are all corners and protrusions. Gradually by the Grace of God we become like the pebbles in a river or on the shore which are round and smooth.”
“Because the Christians could not put in practice the Gospel while living in the world, they fled. That’s how they became the first Monastics.”
“When you follow the truth you are in the light, you are with Christ. He Himself said, “The truth will make you free”. But from who? From your own self! From passion. And then, no power will be able to enslave you because God Himself will help with His power.”
“I always remember what one of my Abbots once said to me: Your mind to God, your hand to the plough.”
“Together with Him we conquer all.”
“Our purpose is to begin Eternity here and now… for the Lady of All to receive us there above with the ranks of Angels… and for us to live eternally in the Light of Christ.”
“Today I am ninety years old – may you live so long! I read again and again and again in the Gospels, and I see something strange. Jesus Christ comes and says to the Apostles, “Leave now what you have and follow Me.””
“I put on the Rasson (Monastic habit) and I do not speak unless I am asked. The Rasson speaks.”
“To be meek is to wish never to have a guilty conscience.”
“Every morning, on the new page we open, we sign the blank. Whatever God wills, let Him write.”
“When you don’t seek anything, and when whatever God gives you, you give it all away… that is love.”
“At the “sound” of Him we should, like the Samaritan woman, leave the “pitcher”. That is the only way God can help.”
“Lord, I beg you, do not allow me ever to have my own will. Do Your own Will in me. However difficult it may seem to me, it will be easy because it will be Yours!”
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