Who can sanctify my corrupted will?
Q733 · The Sacrament of Repentance & Confession
Indeed, the believer struggles between two wills and is in constant need of Christ’s grace so that his will may not lean towards evil. Sometimes he yearns for something good but falls into sin because of his weakness, so that his evil will overcome the good. Let the believer
1440 St. Basil of Caesarea, The Rule of St. Basil in Latin and English: A Revised Critical Edition , trans., Anna M. Silvas (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013) Q. 117: p. 203.
say, “Through You, my Master, I shall conquer for I am too weak to conquer by myself. Your work is wondrous and astonishing!”
St. Jacob of Sarug admits: “I tend to do the good, but I am inclined to evil; and though I hate sin, I commit it every day. Two wills are struggling within me, one opposing the other. Every day, the evil will triumphs successfully. Through You, my Master, I shall conquer for I am too weak to prevail, but Your wondrous work is sufficient to conquer in us.”
The Fathers cited
- St. Jacob of Sarug