'And so after Easter we must be watchful and awake,
pray and be stirred to compunction, weep and be illumined, always
bearing in our bodies the death of the Lord Jesus, [2 Cor. 4:10.] dying
each day by choice, always journeying from the body and dwelling with
the Lord through leaving the thoughts of the flesh. Do not say, "It is
not Lent now". It is always Lent for the watchful. Do not say, "I have
spent hours in ascetic activity and it is necessary to rest". There is
no rest here. Do not say, "I have grown old in virtue and I am not
afraid". There is always fear of reversal; and Satan in one instant has
cast into the deep of sin many who had grown old in virtue. So let the
one who thinks they stand beware lest they fall, [1 Cor. 10:12.] and the
one who thinks they have been guarded see to it that they are not off
their guard. So let there be guard and attention and moderation with
regard to sleep, to food, to drink and to whatever else, so that the
body may be kept under control and brought into servitude, [Cf. 1 Cor.
9:27.] lest, like a colt in fine condition which takes the bit between
its teeth, it push us down the precipice of sin.'
