One day the monks dismissed a brother, and when St. Serapion asked about the reason, they told him because of the sin in which he fell. Upon hearing this, St. Serapion left their company, saying “I also am a sinner”.
Judge Not Others
H.H. Pope Shenouda III
Category: BEST OF
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The hardness may be in the use of hurting words.
It may be in the form of ascribing very bad attributes to the condemned person or uttering such accusations that prejudice his honor, his character, or his mentality. For example the words “you fool” are hurting words which should be punished by hell fire as the Lord said (Mt. 5: 22). How many, actually, are the words and expressions used by people bearing the same meaning of “you fool”.
Judge Not Others
H.H. Pope Shenouda III -
What is the guilt of the hearer that he loses his simplicity and have bad thoughts because of you?
Because of you, the image of the others may change in his mind and may remain so, affecting his relationship and his dealings with them without the other person knowing the cause of all this! Why all this destruction?
Therefore, the fathers said that a person who talks wickedly against others, destroys the souls of the hearers and his own as well.
Judge Not Others
H.H. Pope Shenouda III -
Poor are those who limit their thoughts to the past with all its troubles, mistakes and its sweet dreams. There would not be any time or strength left for them to do something for the future.
They talk about the beauty of the past, the greatness of the past, either a boosting talk or a sorrowful talk. As for the present, there is nothing about it, it does not exist, the same with the future … etc.
The beautiful past is not going to satisfy you if the present is troublesome. Therefore, do not live on sweet memories but reach forward. Let your present always be better than your past.
Do not remember from the past except what could make your present better and gives you a push forward in repentance or in growth.
WORDS OF SPIRITUAL BENEFIT VOL III
H.H. Pope Shenouda III -
For one thing, it must mean the hallowing of memory. The eclipse of love makes the love fairer when the eclipse passes. The loss of the outward purifies the affection and softens the heart. It brings out into fact what was often only latent in feeling. Memory adds a tender glory to the past. We think of only the virtues of the dead; we forget their faults. This is as it should be. We rightly love the immortal part of them; the fire has burned up the dross and left pure gold. If it is idealization, it represents that which will be, and that which really is.
We do not ask to forget; we do not want the so-called consolations that time brings. Such an insult to the past, as forgetfulness would be, means that we have not risen to the possibilities of communion of spirit afforded us in the present. We would rather that the wound should be ever fresh than that the image of the dear past should fade. It would be a loss to our best life if it would fade. There is no sting in such a faith. Such remembrance as this, which keeps the heart green, will not cumber the life. True sentiment does not weaken, but becomes an inspiration to make our life worthy of our love. It can save even a squalid lot from sordidness; for however poor we may be in the world’s goods, we are rich in happy associations in the past, and in sweet communion in the present, and in blessed hope for the future.
The Art of Being a Good Friend
Hugh Black -
Some seek to be initiated into the mysteries of iniquity, in idle or morbid curiosity, perhaps to write a realistic book, or to see “life,” as it is called. There is often a prurient desire to explore the tracts of sin, as if information on such subjects meant wisdom. If men are honest with themselves, they will admit that they join the company of sinners for the relish they have for the sin. We must first obey the moral command to come out from among them and be separate, before it is possible for us to meet them like Christ. Separateness of soul is the law of holiness. Of Christ, of whom it was said, “This man receiveth sinners,” it was also said that He was “separate from sinners.” The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither is the counsel of sinners prudence. Most young people know the temptation here referred to, the curiosity to learn the hidden things and to have the air of those who know the world.
If we have gone wrong here, and have admitted into the sanctuary of our lives influences that make for evil, we must break away from them at all costs. The sweeter and truer relationships of our life should arm us for the struggle, the prayers of a mother, the sorrow of true friends. This is the fear, countless times, in the hearts of the folks at home when their boy leaves them to win his way in the city, the deadly fear that he should fall into evil habits and into the clutches of evil people. They know that there are people whose touch, whose words, whose very look, is contamination. To give them entrance into our lives is to submit ourselves to the contagion of sin.
The Art of Being a Good Friend
Hugh Black -
The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven are not those who belong to the “more perfect state,” but those who love and suffer most. This is why they can move ahead of so many others whose lives, apparently, were more successful.
VIRGINITY
A Positive Approach to Celibacy for the Sake of the Kingdom of Heaven
Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap -
At the time of your defeat, when you are bound both with languor and slothfulness, and subdued by the enemy in the most painful misery and wearisome labor of sin, ponder in your heart on the former time of your diligence, and how you used to concern yourself even over the most minute matters, and the valiant struggle which you displayed, and how you were stirred up with zeal against those who would hinder you in your progress. Furthermore, reflect upon the groans which you used to utter because of the small faults that you committed due to your negligence, and how in all these things you took the crown of victory. For thus, with such and so many recollections, your soul is wakened as if from the deep and is clad with the flame of zeal.
The Ascetical Homilies of Isaac the Syrian
SO GOOD QUOTES 