Blessed is he that believes Him and. . .
Blessed is he that believes Him and assents to His word; for if he be dead he shall live, and if he be alive he shall not die in his offenses.
-St. Narsai Harp of the Spirit
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Blessed is he that makes his heart peaceful at the. . .
Blessed is he that makes his heart peaceful at the hour of the Mysteries, for all his debts and hateful deeds shall be forgiven him.
-St. Narsai Harp of the Spirit
However, of this much we must be sure. Never. . .
“However, of this much we must be sure. Never by our sole diligence or zeal nor by our most tireless efforts can we reach perfection. Human zeal is not enough to win the sublime rewards of blessedness. The Lord must be there to help us and to guide our hearts toward what is good. Every moment we must join in the prayer of David: ‘Direct my footsteps along Thy paths so that my feet do not move astray’ (Ps. 16:5) and ‘He has settled my feet on a rock and guided my footsteps’ (Ps. 39:3) – all this so that the invisible guide of the human spirit may direct back towards love of virtue our free will, which in its ignorance of the good and its obsession with passion is carried headlong into sin.”
— St. John Cassian
Blessed the one who meditates on. . .
“Blessed the one who meditates on death each day and destroys the base passions lurking in the vines of the heart, for he will be consoled in the moment of separation.”
— Ephrem the Syrian
St. Ephraim the Syrian: Come, let us wonder at the virgin most pure . . .
“Come, let us wonder at the virgin most pure, wondrous in herself, unique in creation, she gave birth, yet knew no man; her pure soul with wonder was filled, daily her mind gave praise in joy at the twofold wonder: her virginity preserved, her child most dear. Blessed is He who shone forth from her!”
— St. Ephraim the Syrian, Songs of Praise
