“The heart is poisoned and darkened I pleasure and sensuality. Then since it is darkened it does the works of darkness grieving the Holy Spirit whom it had received through the rebirth in the sacramental baptismal font. Conversely pain and affliction expel culpable sensuality from the heart. It is cleansed by pain, it becomes capable of receiving the comforting Spirit. Once the good Comforter comes He can souls, encourages and enlightens the heart and as a nurturer He gives it life with the divine teachings and the aid of joy and hope.”
(Elder Ephraim of Arizona in ‘Counsels from the Holy Mountain’)
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