“Let your soul abide with the Lord at all times, and let your body abide on earth like a statue. Always stand upright before the face of the Lord. Let the fear of God remain constantly before your eyes, as well as the remembrance of death and the repulsion of everything worldly. Die every day that you may live, for whoever fears God will live forever. Be constantly vigilant, so as not to fall into laziness and idleness. Abhor all that is worldly and distance yourself from it, or else it will distance you from God. Abhor all that will bring ruin to your soul. Do not stray from God for the sake of transitory things. Do not take the example of one weaker than yourself, but emulate the one who is more perfect. Attend to the example of those who have loved the Lord with all their hearts and have done good works. Before all else, continually pour out prayer, giving thanks to God for all that befalls you. If you fulfill all that is commanded, you will receive the inheritance that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man (I Corinthians 2: 9).”

(St. Anthony the Great whose feastday is today)