Thursday, April 7, 2011

I had to read this several times...and could probably stand to read it hundreds more

(Taken from "My Life in Christ" by Saint John of Kronstadt)

Value highly, and always preserve Christian meekness and kindness,
mutual peace and love, crushing by every possible means the impulses of
self-love, malice, irritability, and disturbance. Do not be disturbed
and angered, when anybody tells you a falsehood to your face, or claims
any unjust pretension, or speaks offensively, or boldly detects any of
your weaknesses or passions, the wrongfulness of which, through your
self-love, you did not suspect. Always first coolly reflect over what
your opponent says to you, as well as over your own words and conduct,
and, if, upon an entirely impartial consideration of your words and
actions, you find them just, then let your conscience be at rest, and
do not heed the words of your adversary, either remaining silent before
him, or showing him his error quietly, gently, in all kindness of
heart; but should you find yourself guilty of that, which your
adversary detects in you, then, putting aside self-love and pride, ask
pardon for your fault, and endeavour to correct yourself in future. We
are often angry with straightforward, frank people for openly
disclosing our iniquities. We ought to value such people, and forgive
them, if by their bold speaking they break down our self-love. They
are, in a moral sense, the surgeons who cut off, with a sharp word, the
rottenness of the heart, and through arousing our self-love, they
awaken, in the soul deadened by sin, a consciousness of sin and a vital
reaction.

4 comments:

  1. Stolen. I really need to remember this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I had to read that slowly....a couple of times. It was very timely for me. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with your titles and the others. Bookmarking this!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...