Spiritual Combat

LET THE ATHLETE OF CHRIST, who desires to compete in this true and spiritual contest against vainglory, hasten to overcome this multiform and varied beast by all lawful means, so as to be able to escape from this manifold evil that confronts him on every side, lest he be found guilty of a great sacrilegious crime– convicted as one who labored for the favor of men under the pretense of serving God, preferring the praise [...]

THIS IS the opinion of the Fathers from days long past unto today: A man devoted to God should avoid women and bishops in every way. Once so familiar, neither will allow him to devote further attention to the quiet of his cell nor to adhere with pure eyes to contemplation of the divine through the pondering of sacred things. // Towit: Flee from the flesh and the world which binds you to the praise [...]

SOMETIMES VANITY INDUCES the desire for spiritual influence, which one pictures fulfilled with such holiness and rigor that one would be an example of sanctity to others, winning over many to Christ not only by manner of life but by doctrine and preaching. Even amidst one’s solicitude, vanity makes one go round in mind and spirit, conversing with others under the incitement of vanity’s illusions. Filled with these vain images, one is unable to make [...]

HOW PERNICIOUS, how grave the plague of vainglory! Such great justice, such manifold virtues, such depth of faith and devotion—which can change nature itself and the laws of the whole world—by one act of vanity perish. All one's virtuous acts are consigned to oblivion, being as if they never were, and one immediately incurs the wrath of the Lord—unless, by the very same steps of humility, one ascends again to the summit lost. St. John [...]