St. Theophan the Recluse: Reason Not Too Clever

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29.03.2023, 01:00

Wednesday, March 29 (16), 2023
No Liturgy ─ no New Testament reading appointed

“The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath” [Pr. 15:24]. That hell exists, and that one can end up just there for what he has done, is known to everyone. But not everyone keeps that in mind at all times, not everyone is actually living a life aimed at staying away from hell. People live by their habits: maybe, just maybe, by chance, somehow we will avoid hell…

Where is our reason? If in everyday business we scarcely rely on chance, then in such an absolutely crucial matter, which is decided once and forever, ─ reliance on chance is manifest folly. And if our reason does not understand this, if it does not teach us how to avoid hell and find salvation in our lives, let it never take pride in its cleverness!

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