12 January 2022
A small affliction borne for God’s sake is better before God than a
great work performed without tribulation, because affliction willingly borne
brings to light the proof of love. But a work of leisure proceeds from a
self-satisfied conscience. That is why the saints were proved by tribulations
for Christ’s love, and not by ease. For good works accomplished without toil
are the righteousness of those in the world, who do righteous deeds with their
possessions but not their bodies, thus gaining nothing within themselves. But
you, O struggler, taste within yourself Christ’s suffering, that you may be
deemed worthy of tasting His glory. For if we suffer with Him, then we are
glorified with Him (cf. Rom. 8:17).
Saint Isaac of Syria
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