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To: Salvation; nickcarraway; sandyeggo; Lady In Blue; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; Catholicguy; ...

“A human being who does not endure courageously the unpleasant burdens of temptations, will never produce fruit worthy of the divine wine-press and eternal harvest, not even if one possesses all other virtues. For one is only perfected through zealously enduring both all the voluntary and involuntary afflictions.” +Gregory Palamas

Up on the Holy Mount Athos, the spiritual fathers tell this story, which likely came from the sayings of the Desert Fathers:

“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 to him on the road, which said, “These nine years during which you have been tempted have been crowns for you; go back to your place, and I will allay these thoughts.” Understand that it is not good for someone to despair of himself because of his temptations; rather temptations procure crowns for us if we use them well.”


5 posted on 11/24/2007 10:45:53 AM PST by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!)
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To: Kolokotronis

A great story. Thank you.


6 posted on 11/24/2007 3:28:05 PM PST by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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