By St. Theophan the Recluse
At that time the Jews attempted to
overshadow the light of Christ’s Resurrection with
the mist of a lie: "His disciples stole Him" (Matt.
28:13). It was easy to overcome such pettiness, and the
truth triumphed. But until now the enemy has not ceased to
spread mist before the Sun of the Resurrection, hoping to
overshadow it. Let nobody be troubled! What can be
expected from the father of lies other than lies? He
taught many of his minions to write entire books against
the Resurrection. This written mist is also dissipated by
books. Do not pick up a bad book, and you will not be
mist-enshrouded by it; but if you should accidentally come
upon such a book, take up a good book as an antidote, and
you will refresh your head and breast. There is another
mist that comes from the enemy—in our thoughts. But
this can also be immediately dissipated, like smoke in
the wind, through sensible Christian discernment. Review
all the preceding with discernment and you will see clear
as day that it would have been impossible for all of it to
happen except through the power of Christ’s
Resurrection. This conviction will then be a firm
standpoint from which you will easily repel and strike
down the enemies of the truth.
