Category: JUDGMENT

  • When we see a person who has committed vicious sins and crimes escaping with impunity, we react with indignation. We want to see that person called to account and punished, and feel angry that this has not happened.  But at such moments we should reflect on our own actions; indeed we should turn that sense of indignation inward against ourselves.  Each of us should ask: “How many sins have I committed against others, when I have escaped with impunity?” There are, no doubt, many examples in all our cases. Recognizing this fact will cause our anger against others to melt away. More importantly, it will make us turn to God and ask forgiveness of these sins. Yet there is perhaps a difference between our own sins and the sins which we notice in others. Our own sins are probably quite subtle and inconspicuous, whereas the sins of others are obvious and gross. Should we, therefore, regard our own sins as less important or die? On the contrary, we should realize that subtle sins are frequently the most harmful. Obvious sins, such as robber and violence, are easily recognized, and so can often be guarded against by physical means. The more subtle sins, such as lying and slander and power-mongering are frequently hard to spot, and so difficult to prevent.

    On Living Simply
    St. John Chrysostom

  • Time is heavy sometimes; imagine how heavy eternity must be.

    —Emil Cioran

  • The almsgiver is a harbor for those in necessity: a harbor receives all who have encountered shipwreck, and frees them from danger; whether they are bad or good or whatever they are who are in danger, it escorts them into its own shelter. So you likewise, when you see on earth the man who has encountered the shipwreck of poverty, do not judge him, do not seek an account of his life, but free him from his misfortune. God has excused you from all officiousness and meddlesomeness… A judge is one thing, an almsgiver is another.

    On Wealth and Poverty
    St. John Chrysostom

  • Let us not then make ourselves unworthy of entrance into the bride-chamber, for as long as we are in this world, even if we commit countless sins it is possible to wash them all away by manifesting repentance for our offenses; but when once we have departed to the other world, even if we display the most earnest repentance it will be of no benefit, not even if we gnash our teeth, beat our breasts, and utter innumerable calls for relief, no one with the tip of his finger will apply a drop to our burning bodies, but we shall only hear those words which the rich man heard in the parable: “Between us and you a great gulf has been fixed.” Let us then, I beseech you, recover our senses here and let us recognize our Master as He ought to be recognized.

    ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
    ON REPENTANCE & DEFEATING DESPAIR
    Letters to Theodore

  • And it will be no small affliction to the souls of those who are being punished at that time, to reflect that when they had it in their power in the few days of this life to make all good, they neglected their opportunity and surrendered themselves to everlasting evil. And lest we should suffer this, let us rouse ourselves while it is the accepted time, while it is the day of salvation,’ while the power of repentance is great.

    ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
    ON REPENTANCE & DEFEATING DESPAIR
    Letters to Theodore

  • How long do you expect life to be? No one can guarantee its extent or quality. But temporary pleasures are not worth the eternal consequence. Consider all your deeds within an eternal perspective.

    ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
    ON REPENTANCE & DEFEATING DESPAIR
    Letters to Theodore

  • Fair criticism is innocent and objective. It seeks only the truth, judges things soundly and mentions the good points before other points which he rejects, thus giving everyone his right. He does not search people’s intentions and inner purposes, which God alone knows.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • The gentle person is always cheerful, and never frowns at anyone.

    His smile is sweet and loved by everyone, and his features are nice giving comfort to whoever looks at him. In his calmness he cannot rebuke or blame, nor can he act with excitedness or harshness, nor can he change the tone of his voice when rebuking someone.

    Even if mistreated, the gentle will not grumble, get bored, or complain.

    He often finds excuses for others, justifies their conduct, and thinks no evil. He never speaks about the offences against him, as if nothing has happened. He does not even feel sad within, and if he is provoked his anger will soon clear away and not turn into malice.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • The gentle is usually bashful; he cannot look at anyone fully in the face.

    He does not examine one’s features to know his inner feelings or the truth of his words. If he is fought with this, he will say to himself: It is not my business. Let me mind my own business! He is by nature gentle, and is not inclined to examine others’ actions.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit

  • The gentle does not set himself as an observer over others.

    He does not set himself as judge, nor interferes with the others. He does not give himself the power to observe them and to judge their actions. He never condemns anyone. If he is compelled to judge, his judgment will not be cruel.

    —H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit