Elder Ephraim of Arizona on Sin,Repentance,Mourning,and Tears.
(The elder writes to one of his spiritual daughters in the world)
All that you suffered,my daughter,was because of your self-reliance.
Didn't I advise you to have humility and self-reproach?.
What did you trust in?Don't you know that if one boldly leans on a bamboo rod,it will break and pierce his hands?So what did you trust in?Don't you know the saying;"Without Me you can do nothing:"?
Don't you know that many Fathers fell by trusting in themselves?
Humble yourself,blame yourself,weep,my daughter,wash your
wedding garment.Your Bridegroom,Who is more beautiful than
the sons of men,is calling you,is seeking you,and has prepared an abode for you in the heavens.The spiritual bridal chamber is extremely luxurious!
Angels are serving;do not be sluggish.Arise;get some water and
wash your wedding gown well,for you do not know when He will come.The time of death is unknown;it comes to us all.We do not know at what time it will come.
Repent.See how the harlot washed the immaculate feet of the
Master.She shed tears more precious than myrrh,and they attracted God's mercy and forgiveness.The she heard,"Your sins are forgiven;go in peace."
Repent,my daughter.Fall before the fearsome feet of the Master
with mourning.Weep;cry out,I have sinned,my Jesus.Accept me in repentance and save me.Overlook not my tears,O joy of the angels.
Abhor me not,cast me not away.Thou Who hast bent the heavens by Thine ineffable abasement."With these and many other such words importune Christ,resting assured that you will find His love three times as strong.
Your repentance will give limitless joy to the angels,and exuberantly they will exclaim,"She stopped! She stopped! She stopped!"That is she stopped short of falling.You were caught out of the flow,and now you are ascending again.
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