Even when one who is dedicated to God appears to have an inclination to pray, to display love towards Christ, to surrender entirely to God from the depth of his soul – even then there are egotistical traits existing within. And while he is making progress, let’s say, in prayer and progressing more generally in the spiritual life, all the reality of egotism springs forth from deep within: “Look, I managed to do it, I’m important… I’m progressing.” The most important thing is for you to humble yourself. From childhood you construct a building that is to be destroyed. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to provide for yourself. It suffices for somebody to help you
which happens in obedience, in discipleship
in the Church – so that at every moment you will have within you the awareness of baseness. When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10).
Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos (†)
From the book: Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos, “SPIRITUAL MESSAGES” Panorama Thessaloniki, 2017
