40. When you have taken up your dwelling with a spiritual father and find that he helps you, let no. one separate you from his love and from living with him. Do not judge him in any respect, do not revile him even though he censures or strikes you, do not listen to someone who slanders him to you, do not side with anyone who criticizes him, lest the Lord should be angered with you and blot you out of the book of the living (cf. Exod. 32:33).
41. The struggle to achieve obedience is won by means of renunciation, as we have learned. He who seeks to be obedient must arm himself with three weapons: faith, hope, and divine and holy love (cf. I Cor. 13:13). Thus defended, he will 'fight the good fight' and receive 'a crown of righteousness' (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
42. Do not judge the actions of your spiritual father, but obey his commands. For the demons are in the habit of showing you his defects, so that your ears may be deaf to what he tells you. They aim either to drive you from the arena as a feeble and cowardly fighter, or simply to terrify you with thoughts that undermine your faith, and so to make you sluggish about every form of virtue.
20TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 39
SUNDAY OF THE FATHERS OF THE 7TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
The Field 38
18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 37
17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 36
SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Nativity of the Theotokos
14TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 35
13TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
12TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 34
11TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 33
10TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
The Field 32
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