“It is a great good fortune for us to have the books of the Holy Fathers, for they speak in detail about the spiritual life. Of course it would be good to lead a spiritual life under the guidance of a spiritual director, but holy men have become fewer, and without a director it is very dangerous to be guided only by books, just in the way that a person who has not studied medicine can go to the pharmacy and choose something poisonous instead of useful medicines. However, we must not despair. Let us make the publican’s humility our foundation and the Lord in his goodness will help us sinners and deliver us from disasters on the spiritual path. And let us repent of our weaknesses, for all the wrestlers for piety have held to humility and penitence.”
Father John of Valamo
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