The
Lord chose the apostles, that they should be with Him, and that he might send
them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.
Every Christian is
chosen—chosen for similar deeds, namely: to be with the Lord, through unceasing
remembrance of Him and awareness of His omnipresence, through the preaching and
fulfillment of His commandments, and through a readiness to confess one’s faith in Him. In those
circles where such a confession is made, it is a loud sermon for all to hear.
Every Christian has the
power to heal infirmities—not of others, but his own, and not of the body, but
of the soul—that is, sins and sinful habits—and to cast out devils, rejecting
evil thoughts sown by them, and extinguishing the excitement of passions
enflamed by them.
But your job is to work
upon yourself: for this you are chosen; the rest is in the hands of God. He who
humbles himself shall be exalted.
+ St. Theophan the Recluse, Thoughts for Each Day of
the Year: According to the Daily Church Readings from the Word of God
Source:
http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/tag/virtue/page/2/
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