In order to experience Divine power a person has to know the weakness of human nature and and never belittle anyone.
St Maximos the Confessor says, “the person who has come to know the weakness of human nature has gained experience of divine power. Such a man, having achieved some things and eager to achieve others through this divine power, never belittles anyone.” This means you have to watch and guard your thoughts, your words and actions. This even refers to jokes you tell or laugh at.
Humor and Belittling People
In our days humor is filled either with fear or with belittling people and laughing at them. Making fun of people or scoffing at them, in the name of humor, is not love and doesn’t please God. If one continues this way, willingly or unwillingly that person will belittle people, will not know the weakness of human nature and therefore cannot experience the divine power: namely grace.
Recovering From Sin Takes Time
Recovering from an illness takes time. In the same way, it takes time for people to heal from their iniquities. “Like a good and loving physician, He heals with individual treatment each of those who are trying to make progress,” continues St. Maximus, referring to God.
Love, Patience and Lowliness
Be patient to one another. Patience is the first characteristic of love, the Apostle Paul lists in his Exhortation of Love in 1st Corinthians 13. God is working on you and he is working on other people too. Our Lord Jesus said “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). If you realize that each illness takes its own time to recover, you will realize the weakness of human nature and in humility you will become more loving and patient toward your neighbor. This is when the grace of God fills your heart more and more and helps you to grow in your life’s journey and be fruitful.
