30 October 2005

Patristic Quote for the Day

More St. Ephrem...

Behold, let no one say: I have committed many sins - there can be no forgiveness for me. He who says this does not know that God is the God of the penitent, that He came to earth not to save the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance, and that when someone repents the heavens rejoice over him.

True repentance consists in withdrawing from sin and nurturing hatred for it. For, lo, when someone says from his heart: I have hated deceit and been repelled by it - then God accept him with joy.

But behold, also let no one dare to say: I have not sinned. He who says this is blind; he has shut his eyes. He deceives himself and knows not that Satan is robbing him blind - both in word and deed, through all of the senses, sight, hearing, and touch, and through thoughts. For who can boast that he has an innocent heart and that all his senses are pure?

No one is sinless, no one is clean of defilement, no man is free from guilt except Him alone Who for our sake was impoverished, though He was rich. He alone is sinless Who took the sins of the world, wants all men to be saved, desires not the death of the sinner, and is a lover of mankind, abundantly benevolent, kindhearted, and sincerely loving.

Let us also run to Him, for all sinners who have run to Him have found salvation! (Spiritual Psalter, #126)

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