Patristic Quote for the Day

AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, O LORD. Does then the Lord teach us to pray thus, viz. that we may not be tempted at all? And how is it said elsewhere, 'the man who is not tempted, is unproved'; and again *My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations*; or rather does not the entering into temptationmean the being whelmed under the temptation? For the temptation is like a winter-torrent difficult to cross. Some then, being most skilful swimmers, pass over, not being whelmed beneath temptations, nor swept down by them all; while others who are not such, entering into them sink in them. As for example, Judas entering into temptation of covetousness, swam not through it, but sinking beneath it was choked in both body and spirit. Peter entered into temptation of the denial; but having entered it, he was not overwhelmed by it, but manfully swimming through it, he was delivered from the temptation. Listen again, in another place, to the company of unscathed saints giving thanks for deliverance from temptation: *For Thou, O God, hast proved us; Thou hast tried us like as silver is tried. Thou broughtest usinto the net; Thou laidest affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but Thou broughtest out into a wealthy place.* Thou seest them speak boldly, because they passed through and were not pierced. But Thou broughtest them out into a wealthy place; now their coming into a wealthy place is their being delivered from temptation. - St. Cyril of Jersualem, Mystagogical Catechesis V:17.