from KASSIANA (Vol. XII of the Collected Works of Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich

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Mankind, even the dead, desire to be loved. And even after death they struggle with death. Therefore much effort is made with testaments and memorials to assure themselves of love even after death. And living and dead, men desire to be loved. But Christ said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." Lifted up on the cross, He has drawn through His life, out of love, all towards Himself, even the souls of the deceased from Hell. Before Christ...there did not exist a science of love, nor a religion of love.

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Christ, out of love, sought us--but not ours. But men, because of their meager love, seek His good things rather than Him. They expect from Him bread, rain, fertility, health, and earthly goods in general. And He gives all with sadness that it is not Him Himself they seek. They have forgotten that when they received Him, they have recieved all along with Him. The Apostle said: "I do count them all as dung, that I may win Christ." Elsewhere he writes to the faithful: "I seek not yours but you." ...Love and a dowry are not compatible...

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