Become last if you want to become first

monk-50Become last if you want to become first. When one disobeys and distresses his spiritual father, then God is also grieved. Our Christ showed us through His deeds the greatness of holy obedience, for He sacrificed Himself for the sake of obedience to His Father, “Therefore He has given Him the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9 ).

Obedience has genuine humility in its bosom. Wherever there is humility, there is the scent of Christ, the fragrance of God.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona