To consider oneself to be
the most sinful of all sinners
and that one has done nothing good before God.
the most sinful of all sinners
and that one has done nothing good before God.
The blame to oneself at every opportunity
and in any place and in every act
Not blaming anyone else
or thinking that there is someone on earth
more wretched or sinful than you
but to praise everyone
and to glorify them at times.
Never criticize or humiliate
or backbite someone ever.
Always keeping silence and not saying something
without being told to or without some urgent need.
…. To speak or to answer calmly, quietly and rarely
as though being forced and ashamed to speak.
without being told to or without some urgent need.
…. To speak or to answer calmly, quietly and rarely
as though being forced and ashamed to speak.
Not measuring oneself against anything.
Not quarreling with anyone,
… But if the other speaks correctly, simply say yes
But if they are mistaken, say “you know!”
But if they are mistaken, say “you know!”
to be obedient
and to hate one’s own will.
One’s eyes were always turned down.
To have death before one’s eyes
Not saying unhelpful and unnecessary words
or talk nonsense or to lie.
Not talking back to elders
Happy to endure insults,
humiliations, punishments.
The rest to hate comfort and to love hard work
Not vexing someone
or hurting their conscience.
because from here one becomes a home and temple of God!
And God resides in you
and you became heir to the Kingdom of Heaven!
-- St. Ephraim the Syrian
Hattip: Monastery of Ipseni, Britain.
Not measuring oneself against anything (or anyone).
ReplyDeleteThis is the one I probably have the most problems with. Because of my pride, I look what others are doing and I say to myself, 'Ha!I'm better than them, look how pathetic they are. I can't be as bad as that.'
But what I have more problems with now perhaps is, 'Why can't I have the talents or gifts that this or that person has? Why aren't I as good or as liked or as intelligent as that person?'
I am ungrateful for my gifts. I do this instead of saying, 'Glory to God! Glory to you for all things!"
It's always good to read a reminder of this. Thanks.
Are you Grekk Australian? Kali mera
ReplyDeleteHi ninni, yes I am Greek Australian.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe source: Monastery of Ypseni is in Rhodes, Greece. Thanks for mentioning us.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have the hattip to Ypseni but I just noticed that the link isnt linking to Ypseni blog. I have a lot of trouble with the editing of blogspot sometimes, fonts go all over the place, spaces and sizes ... it can get frustrating.
ReplyDeleteΚαλησπέρα απο Ελλάδα αγαπητή φίλη!
ReplyDeleteΚαλή πορεία εύχωμαι έως το Πάσχα και καλή διττή Ανάσταση.
Ελένη!
Euxaristo poly Eleni, o Theos na einai mazi sou!
ReplyDelete