Man suffers because of his sins. However, the goodness of God counts
the pain as spiritual work, and He gives wages and a reward. How can we not
love such a God? How can we not devote our whole life to worshiping Him!
But unfortunately, despite all this, we forget Him—and I do more than
all—which is why we transgress His commandments. For if we remembered
God, we would remember what God commands, and fear of Him would make
us law-abiding and careful; we would remember the Judgment, the fire of hell,
and we would shed tears of repentance. The farther we are from tears and
mourning, the more attached we are to earthly and corruptible things.
Concern for things above engenders the desire to inherit those everlasting
good things, and this good concern breaks our sinful attachment to
corruptible, transient things that seem good. May God the Lord give us the
good sense to take care of our soul before we depart for the other world.
p. 398 to 400,
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
Elder Efraim of Arizona. We forget Him!
