Quote for the Day

[odhiambo]

"Those who love to be feared fear to be loved"
Saint Francis de Sales

[Shin]

'Blessed the one who farms fair and good thoughts each day and by hope conquers the wicked passion of despondency, by which the Lord's ascetics are warred upon.

St. Ephrem of Syria

[odhiambo]

"When you feel the assaults of passion and anger, then is the time to be silent as Jesus was silent in the midst of His ignominies and sufferings"

St. Paul of the Cross

[Shin]

'I am now thirty years praying daily that my Lord Jesus may preserve me from saying an idle word, and yet I am always relapsing.'

St. Sisoes

[Shin]

'The person who is unaffected by the things of this world loves stillness; and he who loves no human thing loves all men.'

St. Thalassios the Libyan

[odhiambo]

"Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven."
Saint Ephraem of Syria

[Shin]

'There is an energy of grace not understood by beginners, and there is also an energy of evil which resembles the truth. It is advisable not to scrutinize these energies too closely, because one may be led astray, and not to condemn them out of hand, because they may contain some truth, but we should lay everything before God in hope, for He knows what is of value in both of them.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

A thought provoking one!

[odhiambo]

'There is an energy of grace not understood by beginners, and there is also an energy of evil which resembles the truth. It is advisable not to scrutinize these energies too closely, because one may be led astray, and not to condemn them out of hand, because they may contain some truth, but we should lay everything before God in hope, for He knows what is of value in both of them.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

A thought provoking one!

Very true. God is the beginning and the end of everything!

[Patricia]

[quote'There is an energy of grace not understood by beginners, and there is also an energy of evil which resembles the truth. It is advisable not to scrutinize these energies too closely, because one may be led astray, and not to condemn them out of hand, because they may contain some truth, but we should lay everything before God in hope, for He knows what is of value in both of them.'

St. Mark the Ascetic

A thought provoking one!][/quote]

Nice to have an experienced spiritual director to help us decide right from wrong in this case. 

[Shin]

Ho ho, a rare priceless treasure!

[odhiambo]

“I myself have read the writings and teachings of the heretics, polluting my soul for a while with their abominable notions, though deriving this benefit: I was able to refute them for myself and loathe them even more.”
 Eusebius, The Church History

[odhiambo]

“I myself have read the writings and teachings of the heretics, polluting my soul for a while with their abominable notions, though deriving this benefit: I was able to refute them for myself and loathe them even more.”
 Eusebius, The Church History

Why do you think Saint Eusebius went ahead and read the heretics writing knowing that there was a risk as he himself confirms that he  polluted his soul for a while. We are urged to avoid all possible occasion of sin. 
I have a vague idea I just uwant to know if others think the same 

[Patricia]

I think it would be dangerous for people of weak faith to read heretical works. Would cause them to learn errors or make them lost their true faith completely, is my thought.

[odhiambo]

Very true and that is why we are advised to avoid situations or people that may lead us to sin and yet, the saint went ahead to read the heresy. My thinking is that since he was a leader and a teacher of the faith, he needed to know exactly what the heresy claimed so that he could counter it effectively; a sort of "know your enemy" strategy

[Patricia]

You're right, Odhiambo!

[odhiambo]

"The Devil is like a mad dog tied by a chain. Beyond the length of the chain he cannot catch hold of anyone. And you, therefore, keep your distance. If you get too close you will be caught. Remember, the Devil has only one door with which to enter into our soul: our will. There are no secret or hidden doors. No sin is a true sin if we have not wilfully consented"

Padre Pio