Friday, October 8 : Saint Theodore the Studite

My fathers, brothers, children: in his anger the enemy endlessly attacks us but, without end, he is thrust away by the divine power (…). It is when someone makes room for him, having rejected the Holy Spirit and exposed himself to the foreigner who teaches him to say and do everything he wishes, that the latter finds his prey. So then, let us examine the properties of the two forces at work and, if you will, pay attention to what is to follow (…). Whoever possesses the Holy Spirit possesses joy, peace, long-suffering, charity. He offers words that are sweeter than honey or wax, for “it is from the overflow of the heart”, as our Lord said, “that all these things arise” (cf. Mt 12:34; Gal 5:22) and become illumination and consolation for those who receive them (…). Would you like to hear what the adversary is like? (…) What does that heart produce if not anger, resentment, insult, reproach, infidelity, animosity, hatred and self-sufficiency, indocility, argumentativeness, and disobedience. From that soul illumination, holiness and piety have truly vanished; lowliness, compunction and patience have fled; groanings, tears and lamentations have dried up (cf. Is 35:10; 51:11 LXX) (…); joy in those things that cannot be spoken or contemplated or conceived, those blessings reserved for us in the kingdom of heaven. (…) May what is detestable flee from you and what is desirable come and lead you to Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and from age to age. Amen.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team