Elder Ephraim of Arizona-the spiritual fragrance of prayer

 

My children, work diligently at the spiritual fragrance —I am speaking of prayer— this holy conversation with Jesus, which abundantly provides His blessings. Yes, children of the Spirit, love prayer with your whole heart so that all of you become a fragrance of grace, and that you smell sweet to those near you and make them say, “Truly, monasticism makes monks give off an angelic fragrance through spiritual grace.” So, let the filthy passions be far from you, for they cause a foul smell and make a bad impression.

 

Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona