07/13/2024
https://www.facebook.com/100063670383698/posts/1045856854213318/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
⬇️Which one are you? St Paisios writes:
“Some people tell me that they are scandalized because they see many things wrong in the Church. I tell them that if you ask a fly, “Are there any flowers in this area?” it will say, “I don’t know about flowers, but over there in that heap of rubbish you can find all the filth you want.” And it will go on to list all the unclean things it has been to.
Now, if you ask a honeybee, “Have you seen any unclean things in this area?” it will reply, “Unclean things? No, I have not seen any; the place here is full of the most fragrant flowers.” And it will go on to name all the flowers of the garden or the meadow.
You see, the fly only knows where the unclean things are, while the honeybee knows where the beautiful iris or hyacinth is.
As I have come to understand, some people resemble the honeybee and some resemble the fly. Those who resemble the fly seek to find evil in every circumstance and are preoccupied with it; they see no good anywhere. But those who resemble the honeybee only see the good in everything they see. The stupid person thinks stupidly and takes everything in the wrong way, whereas the person who has good thoughts, no matter what he sees, no matter what you tell him, maintains a positive and good thought.”
+St. Paisios of Mt. Athos, “Good and Evil Thoughts,” Spiritual Counsels III: Spiritual Struggle
St Paisios is a modern day Saint, who was canonized in the Orthodox Church in 2015! He is one of the most beloved modern saints because he was able to speak to us in contemporary language, using simple analogies that communicated deep spiritual wisdom. He prayed continually for the world and used his God-given gifts of discernment and foresight to guide those who would visit him. He never berated people, but always encouraged them, giving hope in place of desperation. “My heart rejoices when I see souls who take heed and struggle in a world that has become full of little devils.”
His feast day is July 12th 🐝 Check out my latest blog post to learn more about St Paisios (linked in stories) and I’ve included a bunch of fun ideas to celebrate his feast day!!!
