Tuesday, February 20 : Evagrius Ponticus

Prayer is an offshoot of gentleness and freedom from anger. Prayer is an offshoot of gentleness and freedom from anger. Prayer is an antidote to sadness and despondency. If you desire to pray as you ought, do not sadden any soul, otherwise you are running in vain (cf. Gal 2:2, Phil 2:16) Leave your gift,” it says, before the altar, and first go away and be reconciled to your brother; (Mt 5:24) and after that you will be able to pray undisturbed. For memory of injury blinds the mind (hegemonikon) of one who prays, and darkens his prayers. Those who heap up sorrow and memory of injury within themselves, and then expect to pray, are like people who draw water and pour it into a perforated wine-jar. (cf. Pr 23.27) If you wish to pray in spirit (cf 1Cor 15:15), hate no one, then you will not have an obstructing cloud [hanging] over you at the time of prayer. When standing to pray becomes a greater joy than any other, then you have truly found prayer

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team