Jacob Medina’s Reviews > My Life in Christ: The Spiritual Journals of St John of Kronstadt > Status Update

“By celebrating the sacraments carelessly we mock the Lord’s holy things.”

“How can one do anything without forcing oneself? How is it possible not to compel or inspire Christians, too, to fulfill the precepts of religion and piety? Is it not written in Scripture, “the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violence take it by force” (Matt 11:12)?”

“Why are long prayers necessary? By prolonged, fervent prayer, we warm our cold hearts, hardened in worldly vanity.”

“(Theater) is a mirror reflecting all the passions and deformities of this world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”

“Everything heavenly, holy, bearing the stamp of Christianity is foreign to the theater.”

“Since most sins come from anger and pride, it is necessary to treat everyone who suffers from the disease of sin with kindness and love.”

“Though they may know much, let them not pride themselves upon this, but strive above all for the cleansing of their soul and body.”

“We must love our enemies; it is the devil that teaches and incites them to enmity.”

“Truth is as simple, easy, and life-giving for man as thought, as breath.”

“Do not confuse man, the image of God, with the wickedness that is in him, because the wickedness is only accidental. It is his misfortune, sickness, an illusion of the devil, but his beingthe image of God-still remains in him.”