It is completely impossible for the careless to become worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven, just as it is equally impossible for those devoted to luxury and intemperance. Rather, it is by exhausting our body and enduring innumerable labors that we are able to receive the good things of heaven. Do ye not see what a distance there is between heaven and earth, what warfare lies ahead of us, how inclined man is toward evil, how sin surrounds us and what nets it sets out for us? Do ye not know what judgment seat we shall stand before? Do ye not remember that we shall have to give an account of our words and thoughts? Do ye not know that if we shall be careless, then no one neither a righteous man, nor a prophet, nor an apostle will defend us; but if we shall be zealous, then, having a sufficient defense in our own works, with boldness we shall be deemed worthy of the good things prepared for them that love God.
Saint John Chrysostom
If we should be told that the present day is the last day of our life, we, without a doubt, would use it all for the best possible preparation for death; we would forget about everything around us the whole world would seem alien to us. What hinders us from thinking of each day of our life as the last? And why should it really not be the last? Who has made a covenant with death? What angel will come ahead of time to announce to us the day of our demise, when the Lord Himself has said to us: Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:13). See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:1516).
Dimitri, Archbishop of Cherson
Unceasingly work on thy salvation; particularly when the end of life draws near. Old age sets in this is the herald which notifies us of our departure. Let everyone prepare, because the judgment is near.
Saint Gregory the Theologian
There is no obedience beyond obedience to the Church. And if we only wipe the floor in the Lord's house with a rag, this is set by God higher than any other work. There is no obedience higher than the Church. And everything done it it, no matter what both as you go in and go out everything must be done with fear and trembling and with neverceasing prayer, and nothing should ever be spoken in church, save that pertaining to the church which is absolutely necessary.
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov