Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

luke14_49

'I am come to send fire on earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?' (Luke 12:49). Unless we go through this fire that consumes the decaying passions of our nature, we shall not see the fire transformed into light, for it is not Light that comes first, then Fire: in our fallen state burning precedes enlightenment. Let us, therefore, bless God for this consuming fire. We do not know altogether but we do at least know 'in part' (I Cor. 13:9) that there is no other way for us mortals to become 'children of the resurrection' (Luke 20:36), to reign together with Christ. However painful this re-creating may be; however it may distress and lacerate - the process, agonizing as it is, will be a blessed one. Archimandrite Sophrony (His Life is Mine, Chapter 8; SVS Press pg. 65)