Tag: temptation
Stay close to Jesus to conquer temptation
Vatican City, Feb 26, 2012 / 07:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Christ’s 40 days in the desert teach Christians that temptations can be overcome in life if we stay close to Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI said Feb. 26. “Man is never wholly free from the temptation… but with patience and true humility we become stronger than… Read More ›
Remove Rocks from the ‘Stream of Life’
Once received, graces are enhanced every time we are diligent, overcome a bad habit, confess a sin (making a real effort not to repeat it), or turn away from what tempts us. God blesses us to encourage us in good and withdraws blessings to indicate when we are in error. Graces are enhanced every time… Read More ›
It is not as easy at it seems
One of the brothers asked if he might be allowed to live with him in the desert. He replied that it was a very serious matter, and very laborious, to withstand the temptations of the demons, but the young man urged it all the more vigorously, protesting that he would be able to put up… Read More ›
In tempation there is always help
It happened that Abba Moses the Ethiopian was struggling with the temptation of fornication. Unable to stay any long in the cell, he went and told Abba Isidore. The old man exhorted him to return to his cell. But he refused, saying, “Abba, I cannot.” Then Abba Isidore took Moses out onto the terrace and… Read More ›
That one ought not judge any man
It happened that temptation fell upon a brother in the monastery of abbot Elias, and they cast him out: and he came to the mountain, to abbot Antony. After he had been with him for some time, Antony sent him back to the community whence he had come out. But when they saw him, they… Read More ›
Temptations can be a blessing
An old man said, “For nine years a brother was tempted in thought to the point of despairing of his salvation, and being scrupulous he condemned himself, saying, ‘I have lost my soul, and since I am lost I shall go back to the world.’ But while he was on the way, a voice came… Read More ›
In time of temptation
Abba Poemon once said: If a temptation comes to you in the place where you live, do not leave the place at the time of temptation, for wherever you go you will find that which you fled from there before you. But stay until the temptation is past, that your departure may not cause offence… Read More ›
What is evil?
Abba Antony … learned that evil is the scattering of mind and spirit away from God’s presence. When the monk’s focus is deflected away from God he or she becomes subject to the demons. The demonic influences do not drive out God; they mask the awareness of God’s presence and transformative power. Patient endurance in… Read More ›
The big results are not in your hands or mine
You are fed up with words, and I don’t blame you. I am nauseated by them sometimes. I am also, to tell the truth, nauseated by ideals and with causes. This sounds like heresy, but I think you will understand what I mean. It is so easy to get engrossed with ideas and slogans and… Read More ›
Laying Down Ones Soul for Another
Two brethren made their way to the city to sell their handiwork: and when in the city they went different ways, divided one from the other, one of them fell into fornication. After a while his brother came to him, saying, “Brother, let us go back to our cell.” But he answered, “I am not… Read More ›