Lenten Meditation

Source: saintpaulsicons.com

"Gaze upon the Lord, hanging on the Cross. You see that, having ascended the Cross, He never left it until He surrendered His spirit to God the Father. So you also, having entered into the ascetic labor of struggling with the passions in view of pleasing the Lord, have begun to feel as if you are nailed to the cross. Such is how it is. But watch that you abide on this cross in peace, do not fret and do not thrash about, and especially cut off every thought of descending until the moment comes to say, 'Fathers, into Your hands I commit My spirit' Ilk. 23:46)." The meaning of these words is this: do not weaken your resolve; do not indulge yourself; do not change the ascetic struggle that you have begun; walk firmly on the sorrowful path of self-sacrifice. It will lead you to a blessed repose in the bosom of the Heavenly Father."

St.Theophan the Recluse