“To this day the whole world quests after truth…’This is the way the Staretz [St. Silouan] knew the Christ Who appeared to him, and he insisted that it is the only true and sure way to knowledge of God which is eternal life…The true Church always keeps Christ’s teaching intact but not all those who consider themselves members of the Church, and even speak in her name, understand it, for the gates of her love are wide open to all, independently of their spiritual level of provided they confess the faith and want to be saved…This greatly complicates the problem of distinguishing the true Church…This commandment of Christ’s, ‘Love your enemies,’ is the reflection in our world of the Triune God’s all-perfect love…However wise, learned, noble a man may be, if he does not love his enemies-that is, love his every fellow-being-he has not attained to God…Away from the One True God, it is impossible to love our enemies.”

This was part of the reading yesterday my husband and i shared. The truth and profundity of the words was so powerful that i had to share it with you for today’s installment of the Commonplace Book. For the complete section check out the book St. Silouan the Athonite by Archimandrite Sophrony.