Quote for the Week: ”Has a brother been the occasion of some trial for you and has your resentment led you to hatred? Do not let yourself be overcome by this hatred, but conquer it with love. You will succeed in this by praying to God sincerely for your brother and by accepting his apology; or else by conciliating him with an apology yourself, by regarding yourself as responsible for the trial and by patiently waiting until the cloud has passed.” St. Maximos the Confessor
Scripture for the Week: ”Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24
Question for the week: Is there someone who has “been the occasion of some trial” for me? Has my resentment led to hatred? (Am I even willing
to admit that hatred in one of its various forms – jealousy, annoyance, etc.- might actually be there?!) Am I willing to lay an axe to the root of this
weed and earnestly pray for this person and allowing God’s love to supplant my own reactions?
Thought for the Week: On Cynicism
If you would like to quickly destroy your soul, there is a simple way: through the toxin of cynicism. Cynicism is to a human person what poison is to a rodent, the bait is irresistible but deadly. Here’s how it works: Rather than look to your own soul and thus your own sins, glance sideways and look to your neighbor instead. Poke fun, be crass, tear down… see not Christ, but a sinner. But only do so if you want to erase all good fruit from your life.
We are susceptible to cynicism because we seek perfection and project that onto those around us. As well, our physical eyes look outward, and we easily notice the sins of others if we are not practicing vigilance. But the Lord tells us to see with the eyes of our souls…to look to Him and to look within ourselves, and only when we have removed the log from our own eye are we to aid our neighbor in removing the speck from theirs. Only in this way can we protect ourselves from cynicism, this self-delusion and road to utter destruction. Bend your neck, repent of all gossip, sarcasm and cynicism and find Christ in your neighbor. Thus, we will become friends of the Lord.
Comments (4)
Very edifying thoughts. Thankyou!
Yes, excellent. I know a lot of people that should read that. Just kidding!!! :p
Really excellent. Thank you.
@lindadm - ryc. Yes Linda, I am the first one that needs reminding!
I particuarly like the reminder to use the eye of our soul and not to focus on what we see with our outward eyes. I struggle a LOT with that one myself! Thank you!