Do not lose your courage, my child, no matter how much the tempestuous sea of
various passions might rage at times. You should reflect that all these things—and
even many more things—are incapable of preventing us from receiving the grace and
love of God. If our longing for Christ grows, my child, all the obstacles will become
very small and easy to pass. But when we have no love nor any longing for our
Christ, they become difficult to bear, and they water our days with burning tears. Yes,
my child, let us keep calling upon Jesus until His flame ignites within us, and then all
the weeds will become ashes.
Always remember that we have to take up our cross every day, which means
afflictions, labor, temptations, and every diabolical influence. Which saint has ever
walked the dark paths of this world without afflictions and perils? And if we have been
called to walk the same path, why do we find it strange to face afflictions? Since we
have chosen to fight the devil, why are we surprised to encounter difficulties? Let us
have the lamp of our eagerness lit, and let us await with patience and vigilance the
coming of the Lord Jesus.
subm. no. 14
paragraphs: 11-15 from pages 198-200
From the book
Councels from the Holy mountain
Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Efraim of Arizona
Selection of passages from the book by Silviu Podariu
