Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

Luke17,10

3 Entries

In Categories: Miscellaneous Topics

Q: When I do something good, how should I humble my thoughts? And how does one reproach oneself after doing something good?

A: For humility of thoughts, even though you might have performed all good deeds and kept all the commandments, remember Him Who said: "When you have done all this, say that we are unprofitable slaves, for we were obliged to do what we have done" (Luke 17:10) – and all the more when we have not even attained as yet to the fulfilling of a single commandment.

Thus one should always think and reproach oneself at every good deed and say to oneself: I do not know whether it is pleasing to God. It is a great work to do according to God’s Will, and yet greater to fulfill the Will of God: this is the joining of all the commandments; for to do something according to God’s Will is a private matter and is less than fulfilling the Will of God.

Therefore the Apostle said: "Forgetting what is behind, and stretching forth to what is ahead" (Philemon 3:13). And no matter how much he stretched out to what was ahead, he did not stop and always saw himself as insufficient, and he advanced; for he said: "whatever is perfect, think on this"(Philemon 3:15), that is, so as to advance. "Saints Barsanuphius and John: Guidance Toward Spiritual Life," trans. by Fr. Seraphim Rose, (Platina, California: St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood, 1990)



Wishing to show that, although every commandment is obligatory, none the less it is by His blood that sonship is granted to men, the Lord says: "When you have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10). Thus the kingdom of heaven is not a reward for deeds, but a gift of the Lord prepared for faithful servants. St. Mark the Ascetic, "Early Fathers From the Philokalia," trans. by E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer, (London: Faber and Faber, Ltd., 1981), pp. 86 - 90

2. Wishing to show that to fulfill every commandment is a duty, whereas sonship is a gift given to men through His own Blood, the Lord said: 'When you have done all that is commanded you, say: 'We are useless servants: we have only done what was our duty' (Lk 17.10). Thus the kingdom of heaven is not a reward for works, but a gift of grace prepared by the Master for his faithful servants. REF:Saint Kosmas Aitolos +1779




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