PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

To share in the life of Christ is to learn to carry the weakness of another toward Him “They opened the roof and lowered him down to the feet of Christ.” — St. Augustine, On Pastors There is a severity in Augustine’s words because there is a severity in love. “You have failed to strengthen the weak.” The accusation is directed toward shepherds, and rightly so. Those entrusted with the care of souls cannot feed upon the flock while remaining indifferent to its wounds. The shep

God does not promise that we will remain unbroken, but that He will not abandon us in the breaking. “God rebukes but also encourages, he brings fear and he brings consolation, he strikes and he heals. Do not reject him.” — St. Augustine, On Pastors There is a kind of consolation that merely tries to make suffering disappear. It tells us that things will soon improve, that what has been lost will somehow be restored, that uncertainty will eventually give way to clarity. We off

The mercy of being prepared for temptation “My son, come to the service of God. Stand fast in fear and in righteousness, and prepare your soul for temptation.” — St. Augustine, On Pastors There is a kindness that comforts us by telling us that the storm will pass. There is another kindness that teaches us how to stand when it does not. Saint Augustine speaks with the severity of one who knows the difference. The negligent shepherd, he tells us, does not necessarily abandon th

The hidden measure of whether Christ has truly conquered us “You are our brothers.” — St. Augustine There is a subtle test of the spiritual life that is rarely spoken of because it is hidden so deeply within the heart. It is not simply whether we defend the truth, nor even whether we are willing to suffer for it. The question is this: What remains in our heart toward those from whom we are separated? The Desert Fathers knew that every controversy eventually becomes a battle o