If we have condemned ourselves, we will not be condemned then, at the great and eternal judgement.
-
One time, I found an elderly monk standing long to pray by the relics of the saints. He spoke much, but among his words he said, “Lord, do not take me in a moment of inattention.” This is a beautiful saying. When you seesaw between sides, you might be taken in a moment of inattention.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Monastic Treasures for All of Us
-
One might say that another’s action will destroy the monastery. Yet, if the action is truly wrong, it will surely be revealed; you should not necessarily be the one who reveals it. It will be revealed on its own. If you place yourself as a watchdog over the actions of others, then, as the saying goes, you will have turned from a worshipper into a judge. Did you come to work as judges, or worshippers? Each one of us should say, “I will keep to myself. What business is it of mine? What brought me into all of these affairs?”
The wronged will be avenged by God, the peace of the monastery will be protected by God, those commissioned have their own responsibilities, and each of you should keep to yourself. If you keep to yourself, you will be respected by all, loved by all, and trusted by all, and if you do intervene on any given occasion, your word will have a positive impact.
—Pope Shenouda III, Monastic Treasures for All of Us
-
“Sainthood is reached when the Lord, by the breath of His grace, perfects our own imperfections.”
…
“Fr. Mina proved to me that sainthood is attainable, and that the Lord is able to work with our many imperfections—if we let Him.”
A Spring in Sinai: Hieromartyr Mina Abood: His Life, Miracles, and Martyrdom in Post-Revolution Egypt
Anthony Marcos -
The demons of anger, strife, stubbornness and pride, all stand totally bewildered before the person who possesses the virtue of self-reproach, not knowing how to conquer him, but gnashing their teeth in vexation, defeated before this person who never justifies himself, never gets angry with anyone, who neither contends nor shouts, but with a soft answer and a kind word together with reproaching himself, solves every strife and disperses every anger. Such a person lives meekly, gently and peaceably, and is loved by all. He does not contend with anyone, neither does he permit himself to be angry with anyone, however much he is in the right.
For he reproaches himself, saying, “If I become angry with this person and enraged at him, I will lose the virtue of meekness and the virtue of endurance, the virtue of love and the virtue of being at peace with people. And then I will be at fault”.
Thus he reproaches himself – not for sins which he has committed – but for sins which he warns himself from falling into. Consequently, he becomes watchful and on his guard, and his soul advances towards perfection.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Before the Just Judge
-
He who reproaches himself is able to live in continual peace with others. Even if a misunderstanding were to arise, through his self-reproaching, reconciliation is easily attained. Strife worsens when each party persists in his own stand, each justifying himself that he is in the right, and the other in the wrong.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Before the Just Judge
-
Undoubtedly, the humble person who reproaches himself feels compassion for others. He knows too well the weakness of the human soul before Satan’s attacks and wiles, cunningness and enticements. Thence he gives excuses to whoever falls, and is never cruel in his judgement whatsoever, remembering the words of Saint Paul the Apostle, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them… since you yourselves are in the body also” (Heb. 13:3). One of the lovely matters in the spiritual life is that you become severe with yourself, reproaching yourself for every fault, but in contrast increase in compassion for sinners, trying to give them excuses as much as you are able.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Before the Just Judge
-
Regarding this, I would like to make a painful observation, which is that many say that they are sinners when deep inside they do not believe it. Such a person might use the word ‘sinner’ about himself, merely with his lips, in order to appear humble, but inside he is not convinced that he is a sinner. If you say to him, “You have sinned”, he will become enraged with you and vehemently defend himself.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Before the Just Judge
SO GOOD QUOTES 