Monday, June 22 : Dorotheus of Gaza

Let us investigate, brothers, how it is that sometimes we hear an unpleasant word and let it pass as if we had heard nothing, without being disturbed, and that other times we are immediately disturbed by it. What is the reason for such a difference? Are there one or more reasons for this? For me, I see many, but only one generates, so to speak, all the others. (…) The cause of the trouble, if we seek it carefully, is always the fact of not accusing oneself. Hence we have all this despondency and we never find rest. No wonder all the saints say that there is no other way than this. We see clearly that no one has found rest by following another path, and we think we will find it and follow a perfectly straight path, without ever agreeing to accuse ourselves! In truth, had we accomplished a thousand good works, if we do not keep this path, we will never stop causing suffering and suffering ourselves, thus losing all our pain (…) It also happens that a brother, believing himself to be in peace and tranquility, is nevertheless disturbed by an unkind word said to him by another, and he judges that it is right, saying to himself: “If this brother had not come to speak to me and disturb me, I would not have sinned. ” It’s an illusion, it’s false reasoning. Did the one who said the word to him put the passion within him? He simply revealed to him the passion that was in him, so that he could repent, if he wanted.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team