Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 2014

They justly, therefore, enter into the kingdom of heaven who have denied themselves according to the Lord’s Word and have loved the Lord alone with their whole heart. Because of their great love they will be recompensed with the greatest of heavenly gifts. For in the afflictions, crucifixions, patience, and faith are hidden the promises, the glory, the possession of heavenly good things just as in the seed that is thrown into the earth the fruit lies already hidden or in the tree that is covered with thorns and grows amid vile and dirty dung.
Then they will reveal that in them were the dignity and glory and manifold fruit as the Apostle says: “Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Acts 14: 22). And the Lord says: “In your patience you will possess your souls” (Lk 21: 19), and again: “In the world you will have tribulation”(Jn 16: 33).
For there is need of effort and patience, restraint and every kind of watchfulness, of alacrity and perseverance in prayer to the Lord so that one can rise above earthly desires and the snares and traps of sense pleasures, above the enticements of the world, and avoid the attacks of evil spirits. One needs to know well by what vigilance and attentive faith and love the saints possess the heavenly treasure, that is, the power of the Spirit in their souls and in heaven, which is the balm of the kingdom.
Pseudo-Macarius

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