Many A Man Curses The Rain That

Persecution Has Come Upon Us, Right Honorable Brethren, And Persecution In The Severest Form. Shepherds Are Persecuted That Their Flocks May Be Scattered. And The Worst Of All Is That Those Who Are Being Treated Ill Cannot Accept Their Sufferings In Proof Of Their Testimony, Nor Can The People Reverence The Athletes As In The Army Of Martyrs, Because The Name Of Christians Is Applied To The Persecutors. The One Charge Which Is Now Sure To Secure Severe Punishment Is The Careful Keeping Of The Traditions Of The Fathers.

If One Had Taken What Is Necessary To Cover One's Needs And Had Left The Rest To Those Who Are In Need, No One Would Be Rich, No One Would Be Poor, No One Would Be In Need.

When A Sunbeam Falls On A Transparent Substance, The Substance Itself Becomes Brilliant, And Radiates Light From Itself. So Too Spirit Bearing Souls, Illumined By Him, Finally Become Spiritual Themselves, And Their Grace Is Sent Forth To Others. From This Comes Knowledge Of The Future, Understanding Of Mysteries, Apprehension Of Hidden Things, Distribution Of Wonderful Gifts, Heavenly Citizenship, A Place In The Choir Of Angels, Endless Joy In The Presence Of God, Becoming Like God, And, The Highest Of All Desires, Becoming God.

What Is The Benefit Of Fasting In Our Body While Filling Our Souls With Innumerable Evils? He Who Does Not Play At Dice, But Spends His Leisure Otherwise, What Nonsense Does He Not Utter? What Absurdities Does He Not Listen To? Leisure Without The Fear Of God Is, For Those Who Do Not Know How To Use Time, The Teacher Of Wickedness.

Let Sleep Itself Be An Exercise In Piety, For Such As Our Life And Conduct Have Been, So Also Of Necessity Will Be Our Dreams.