Sayings of St. John Climacus
"The Law, in its imperfection says: 'Attend to yourself' (Deut. 4:9). The Lord, in His perfection, tells us to correct our brother, saying, 'If your brother sins against you, etc.' (Matt. 18:15). If your reproof, or rather your reminder, can be pure and humble, then do as the Lord commanded, particularly in the case of those who will accept it. But if your progress has not reached this far, at least do what the Law says."
"Someone asked this question of a discerning man: 'Why is it that God confers gifts and wonder-working powers on some, even though He knows in advance that they will lapse?' His answer was that God does this so that other spiritual men may grow cautious, and to show that the human will is free, and to demonstrate that on the day of judgment there will be no excuse for these who lapsed."
"Our own determination and intention together with the help of God come into play in every spiritual act of ours, visible or not,and the latter is unlikely to operate without the former."
"It is truly astounding how the incorporeal mind can be defiled and darkened by the body. Equally astonishing is the fact that the immaterial spirit can be purified and refined by clay."
"Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven's gate. Holy humility opens it. This I say, and I worship a Trinity in Unity and a Unity in Trinity."
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"Someone asked this question of a discerning man: 'Why is it that God confers gifts and wonder-working powers on some, even though He knows in advance that they will lapse?' His answer was that God does this so that other spiritual men may grow cautious, and to show that the human will is free, and to demonstrate that on the day of judgment there will be no excuse for these who lapsed."
+ + +
"Our own determination and intention together with the help of God come into play in every spiritual act of ours, visible or not,and the latter is unlikely to operate without the former."
+ + +
"It is truly astounding how the incorporeal mind can be defiled and darkened by the body. Equally astonishing is the fact that the immaterial spirit can be purified and refined by clay."
+ + +
"Repentance lifts a man up. Mourning knocks at heaven's gate. Holy humility opens it. This I say, and I worship a Trinity in Unity and a Unity in Trinity."
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