Labourers together with God
You
see very clearly that it is extremely difficult, and without God’s
grace and your own fervent prayer and abstinence, impossible, for you to
change for the better. You feel within yourself the action of a
multitude of passions: of pride, malice, envy, greediness, the love of
money, despondency, slothfulness, fornication, impatience, and
disobedience; and yet you remain in them, are often bound by them,
whilst the long-suffering Lord bears with you, awaiting your return and
amendment; and still bestows upon you all the gifts of His mercy.
Be
then indulgent, patient, and loving to those who live with you, and who
also suffer from many passions; conquer every evil by good, and, above
all, pray to God for them, that He may correct them—that He may turn
their hearts to Himself, the source of holiness. Do not help the Devil
to spread his kingdom. Hallow the name of your Heavenly Father by your
actions; help Him to spread His Kingdom on earth. ‘For we are laborers
together with God.’
Be
zealous of the fulfillment of His will on earth, as it is in heaven.
Forgive them that trespass against you with joy, as a good son rejoices
when he has a chance of fulfilling the will of his beloved father.
+ St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
