A nun asked Saint Zosima of Siberia, “What should I do, elder? I am heavyhearted and sad because I don’t have love in my heart for my sister.” And he responded saying, “You say you don’t have love? Try, at least, to do works of love. If you find out that your sister needs something, give it to her. You disagreed on a certain matter? Back down and submit to her will. Did she scold you? Admit that you were at fault and ask her to forgive you. But most importantly, pray constantly for her, saying, “Save her, O Lord, and with her holy prayers, show mercy on me too!”. And then, certainly our God will bless and change her heart. But even in the case that after all of that, she is unwilling to make peace with you, your conscience shall be at peace.
By Saint Zosima of Siberia
Translated by Anna Pipinos
