Discourses of Dorotheos of Gaza

by Dorotheus of Gaza

Again there is the example of one who is minding his own business, sitting peacefully and quiet and when a brother approaches and says a troubling word to him, he is disturbed by it. And from the situation he supposed that he is rightly angered, and he speaks against the one who bothered him, saying, "If he had not come and talked to me and irritated me I would not have been to blame." This is an illusion, and incorrect thinking. Because it was not he who spoke and put him in a bad mood. He only demonstrated that it was already in him, so that he could, if he wanted, make amends for his fault. But the one referred to above is as clean-looking winter wheat, externally good and ready for use, but when somebody crushes it, its corruption is uncovered. He was sitting peacefully, as we were saying. He had this anger within him and he did not realize it. One word against him from another and the corruption hidden inside him jumped out. If then he were prepared to ask forgiveness and to humble himself before that brother, he would be purified and would progress in wisdom and see that he should rather thank the brother who had been an occasion of spiritual help to him. Temptations would no longer burden him in the same manner, but in proportion to his advance in this manner he would find that they became easier to carry.