Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

parable_of_the_good_samaritan

4 Entries

I fell among thieves by my reasonings,
I was robbed by my wretched mind.
Greatly stricken and wounded in soul,
Naked of grace, I lie upon the road of life.
The priest saw my hopeless wounds and passed me by,
the Levite knew my disease and turned away.
But in Thy love for man Thou wast pleased
To stoop down to me, O Christ God,
Not by the Road of Samaria,
But from the flesh of Mary.
Grant me healing by pouring out on me Thy great mercy. Vespers of the fifth week of Great Lent



I now lie wounded and lifeless,
As if I had left Jerusalem, the way of Thy Divine Commandments,
And had reached the Passions of Jericho,
Reveling in the impious glory of earthly pursuits.
As if my reasonings had become thieves
And robbed me of my garments of sonship by grace.
The priest came by, and seeing my corpse, passed me by;
The Levite too saw and departed.
But do Thou, O Lord, unspeakably Incarnate of the Virgin,
Bind up my wounds as if with healing ointment, O Christ God,
By the flood of blood and water which streamed Salvation
From Thy side. Join me to the heavenly choir,
Since Thou art compassionate. Vespers of the fifth week of Great Lent

I went down from Jerusalem, and I fell away from Thy commandments which were written there for the nations. And as I went on my way to Jericho, on account of my impetuous emulation of them who, of old, because of their wickedness were by Thee surrendered over to be slain by Thy people, and also because of my disobedience I fell into the hands of soul-corrupting passions as though they were thieves. Wounded by them and well nigh put to death, I cry to Thee, O Thou Who in Thy body wast, of Thine own will, wounded by nails and by a spear for the sake of mankind's sins, and by the Cross didst accomplish in Jerusalem the common salvation, heal me, O Lord, and save me. Vespers of Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Let us likewise deal kindly, let us persuade our adversaries of that which is to their profit, "let us worship and lament before the Lord our Maker." For we would not overthrow, but rather heal; we lay no ambush for them, but warn them as in duty bound. Kindliness often bends those whom neither force nor argument will avail to overcome. Again, our Lord cured with oil and wine the man who, going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, fell among thieves; having forborne to treat him with the harsh remedies of the Law or the sternness of Prophecy. St. Ambrose of Milan. Of the Christian Faith, Book II




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