Bright Week
April 22, 2009
Seek first the kingdom . . . .
July 6, 2008
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
—Matthew 6:25-33
The wrathful man
February 18, 2008
A man who is wrathful with us is a sick man; we must apply a plaster to his heart — love; we must treat him kindly, speak to him gently, lovingly. And if there is not deeply-rooted malice against us within him, but only a temporary fit of anger, you will see how his heart, or his malice, will melt away through your kindness and love — how good will conquer evil. A Christian must always be kind, gracious, and wise in order to conquer evil by good.
–St. John of Kronstadt
This quote reminds me of the character Mitya in “Brothers K.”, a passionate and impulsive man who is given to sudden fits of rage. At times he is calmed by the kind serenity of his younger brother Alyosha.
The Mind and the Heart
February 1, 2008
I just started listening to a wonderful talk, which was given by Fr. Meletios Webber a few years ago on the subject of the mind and the heart. I want to share just a few small parts of his discussion, which seeks to describe the vast differences between these two fundamental parts of the human person. Unfortunately, quoting Fr. Mel here in written form does not even begin to convey the eloquence and impact of his words; but I do hope that you may find it–at the very least–intriguing.
It seems we live in a world that strives–above all else–to understand everything with our minds, to ask why, how, etc. To understand. We hope to be able to grasp the truth of any given problem, to answer a question, to research a topic, and even to solve a mystery. To explain. But Fr. Meletios has contrasted all of that with something completely different.
The Heart. Read the rest of this entry »
The Kingdom is at hand
January 4, 2008
Out of labor comes health, out of sweat salvation. Beware lest, from your wish to keep certain obligations, you break your obligation to God. Do not sink back. There is salvation, there is amendment. The doors are not yet shut; the Bridegroom hears. Make the effort. Jesus is merciful; the Kingdom is at hand.
–St. Basil the Great
I thought this was a great quote to post for the new year. Thanks to Greg G. for sending these wonderful daily quotes from spiritual fathers and mothers who, through the centuries have shared their abundant wisdom and knowledge. Many of their words come out of a depth of life experience, producing the rare fruit of wisdom which–I believe–can still be applied practically to our day to day life in the 21st century.
I think this is a fitting quote for the new year because so many people like to make “resolutions” starting January 1st. Read the rest of this entry »
