Church Fathers, Day 300: St. Ephrem the Syrian tells us to turn temptation into triumph

Last updated on: May 17, 2015 at 3:30 am by Pete Socks

Church Fathers, Day 300: St. Ephrem the Syrian tells us to turn temptation into triumph 2015-05-12T19:40:20-05:00 Pete Socks

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Turn temptation into triumph

Temptations and trials do us good, says St. Ephrem the Syrian. Easy living makes us forget God, but difficulties strengthen us.

To those who are just and upright, temptations become helps.

Job, a man of discernment, was victorious in temptations. Sickness came on him, and he did not complain; disease afflicted him and he did not murmur; his body failed and his strength departed, but his will was not weakened. He proved perfect in all by sufferings, because temptations did not crush him.

Abraham was a stranger, away from his place and his people. But by this he was not harmed; instead, he triumphed greatly. So Joseph from the house of bondage was made to rule as king of Egypt. The company of Ananias and Daniel delivered others from bondage.

See then, you who are wise, the power that freedom possesses; that nothing can injure it unless the will is weakened.

Israel with sumptuous living grew fat, and rebelled, and forgot his covenant. He worshiped vain gods, and forgot the nature of his creation. The bondage that was in Egypt he forgot in the repose of the desert. As often as he was afflicted, he acknowledged the Lord alone; but when he was dwelling in repose, he forgot God his Redeemer.

Do not seek repose here, for this is a world of toil. And if you can discern wisely, do not change time for time, what is permanent for what is not, what does not end for what ends; nor truth for lying; nor body for shadow; nor watching for slumber; nor that which is in season for that which is out of season; nor the Time for the times. Collect your mind; do not let it wander among varieties that do you no good.

–St. Ephrem the Syrian, Homily on Admonition and Repentance, 20

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What trials am I suffering right now?

How can I turn them into triumph?

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, in your grace grant me strength to endure temptation, and deliver me from the evil one and his hosts.

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