Friday, June 20 : St Philotheos of Sinai

Sobriety and vigilance illuminate and first purify consciousness. Then, when consciousness was purified, like an concealed light that suddenly bursts, it goes on the hunt of the great darkness. And when darkness was driven out by continual and true vigilance, consciousness again reveals what was hidden. Through sobriety and vigilance, she teaches the invisible struggle of intelligence and the fight of reason. It shows as intelligence must throw spears in this singular fight for Christ the desired light, in front of the evil darkness, how not to shoot thoughts with arrows and not be struck. Whoever tasted this light understands what I say. Taste the light makes the soul rather hungry, which is nourished but is never full: the more it eats, the more it is still hungry. This light that attracts intelligence like the sun attracts the eyes, this inexplicable light that speech explains not, but the experience of the one who was injured, she orders me to silence. (…) The eyes find it difficult to endure the smoke of burning wood. But this smoke then shows them the light and rejoices those she had initially inconvenienced. Likewise, attention, which forces us to watch tirelessly, ends up weighing on us. But if you immediately call him in your prayer, Jesus illuminates your heart. Because his memory brings you, with illumination, the best of goods.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team