The Lord is with us. What more could we desire?
The Lord created man that we might live and bask in Him for ever – that we might be with Him and in Him.
And the Lord desires to be with us Himself, and in us.
The Lord is our joy and gladness, and when pride causes us to withdraw from Him, it means that of our own accord we deliver ourselves up to suffering.
Anguish of heart, dejection and evil thoughts lacerate us.
St. Silouan of Mount Athos