ACC ~ James 1 v2

COUNT IT JOY. ORIGEN: If you count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, you give birth to joy, and you offer that joy in sacrifice to God. SERMONS ON GENESIS 8.10.

THE TORRENT OF THE TRIAL. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: “Falling into temptation” may mean being overwhelmed by temptation, for temptation is like a raging torrent which engulfs the traveler. In times of temptation some people manage to cross this torrent without being overwhelmed by the rising tide, because they are good swimmers who can avoid being swept away. But if others who lack their strength try to do it, they are overcome. MYSTAGOGICAL LECTURES 5.17.

PREPARE FOR TEMPTATION. CHRYSOSTOM: Suffering is a real bond, an encouragement to greater love, and the basis of spiritual perfection and godliness. Listen to the one who says: “If you want to serve the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation.”And again Christ said: “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage.” And again: “straight and narrow is the way.” Everywhere you see suffering being praised, everywhere it is accepted as necessary for us. For in the world there is no one who wins a trophy without suffering, who has not strengthened himself with labors and dieting and exercise and vigils and many other things like that. How much more is that true in this battle! CATENA.

A DANGEROUS LIFE. AUGUSTINE: Because we are human, we live a most dangerous life amid the snares of temptation. LETTERS 250.

THROUGH MANY TEMPTATIONS. HILARY OF ARLES: Just as the world has to pass through winter before the spring comes and the flowers bloom, so a man must go through many temptations before he can inherit the prize of eternal life. For as Paul said: “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Temptations come in three ways, by persuasion, by attraction and by consent. Satan persuades, the flesh is attracted, and the mind consents. INTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES.

ADVERSITIES WILLINGLY BORNE. BEDE: Nobody will take the disciples’ joy from them because, although they suffered persecution and torture on behalf of Christ’s name, yet they willingly bore all adversities because they were enkindled by hope in his resurrection and by their vision of him. Moreover, they thought it perfect joy when they encountered different kinds of temptations. HOMILY ON THE GOSPELS 2.13.

HOW FAITH IS PROVED. OECUMENIUS: For those who have been tried and tested, trials and afflictions are the source of the greatest joy, for that is how their faith is proved. COMMENTARY ON JAMES.

DESPISE PAIN. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN: The Word of God … causes us to despise all life’s painful experiences and to count as joy every trial that assails us. DISCOURSES 3.8.

Jas