A profound and hidden mystery is the fall of man. It is quite impossible for a person to understand it by his own powers. This is because
Suffering cleanses the soul infected with the filth of sensual pleasure and detaches it completely from material things by showing it the
Lots of people approach the Lord, but few decide to follow Him. There are many people who read the Gospel, who rejoice over its sublime concepts and enthuse over its holy teaching, but only a few decide to live according to the Gospel law. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
People who seek Christian perfection renounce all their possessions. And those who wish to be saved give alms, in accordance with their means. They avoid misuse of their wealth. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
Fill yourself greedily with the word of God. Fill yourself greedily with observing Christ’s commandments. Fill yourself greedily with the food on the table which has been prepared before you by the Lord and get drunk on His exquisite wine. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
We labor in vain, in vain, pointlessly and to our detriment when we attempt to acquire the sublime gifts of the spirit prematurely. Our merciful God gives them at the appropriate time to those who steadfastly, patiently and humbly observe the Gospel commandments. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
Pride upsets the nerves, heats the blood, stimulates the imagination and preserves life in the fallen state. Humility calms the nerves, regulates the flow of blood, reins in idle fancies, puts a stop to the life of the fall and gives the life which Jesus Christ brought. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
You have a long struggle ahead of you. You have to cultivate within yourself a courageous frame of mind. Take a look at the objects of your love. Do you like them a lot? Are you very tied to them? Get rid of them! That rejection is what the Lord asks of you. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
How wounded our natural love is! How deep the wound of strong passion is that it bears. When the heart is engulfed with powerful passion, it’s capable of every kind of injustice, every kind of transgression, as long as it satisfies its sick love. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”
Confession spells the end of any fraternization with sins. Revulsion at our sins is the mark of true repentance of the soul and a firm decision to live virtuously. “Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff”