Thoughts on basic kindness
By Michael Haldas, July 21, 2016
“One of the New Testament commands is that Christians display kindness toward other believers (Romans 12:10) …Such kindness is a response to God’s wonderful kindness to us….as we bless others in this way, we will find ourselves receiving similar blessings of kindness (Luke 6:38).” (Foundation Study Bible, Romans 15:25-26)
“We need to have our lives and relationships reflect the admonition of St. Paul who wrote “you are the people of God . . . so you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, gentleness and patience. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.” (Col. 3:12-14). If you come upon someone today without a smile, resolve to give him one of yours…Jesus exemplified through every moment of his life the way each of us should act—with great kindness, gentleness, and thoughtfulness.” (Rev. Andrew Demotses)
“The most difficult people to deal with are often the very people who need our love and kindness the most. Being treated with respect and love, regardless of their behavior, can turn around the angry neighbor or coworker. They are the people who need our prayers. God can change any heart, turning around the lives of the very worst people because of our prayers.” (Abbott Tryphon)
“Sometimes it is easy to get so overwhelmed with all of the problems we see around us that we can slip into a mindset of what can I possibly do to make things better and end up doing nothing at all. I find it is useful when I feel that way to remember that some small act of kindness, no matter what the circumstance, is better than no kindness at all. You never know what the smallest gesture may mean to someone.” (Sacramental Living Blog)
“By showing love through acts of kindness, we can point people toward God…” (Amy Nappa)
Thoughts on morals and virtues
By Michael Haldas, July 27, 2016
“Morality asks questions of right and wrong. What constitutes right action and why? Virtue asks an even deeper question. What kind of person is able to think and act in a right way? In terms of the gospel, we can see virtue as lying at the heart of Christ’s statement, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” For someone who lacks virtue (is not “pure in heart”) even their reason and perception will be distorted. They will not only fail at doing the good, they will not even be able to see what the good is.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“Morality is indispensable: but the Divine Life, which gives itself to us and which calls us to be gods, intends for us something in which morality will be swallowed up. We are to be re-made.” (C. S. Lewis)
“The virtues of Christ are not acquired and sustained as a result of a forced effort of our human will where strive to consciously do what Jesus would do in all situations. Rather, sacramental living with the right heart, causes an inner transformation that results in the external actions that reflect these virtues and flow as naturally from within us breathing.” (Sacramental Living)
“Note that the apostle does not call “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” gifts, but rather the fruit of the Spirit (vss. 22-23). Fruit needs protection against insects and predators. Fertilizer is required to produce healthy, disease-resistant fruit. Weeds must be kept down so that water and air free of pollutants may feed the trees and aid the fruiting. Likewise, with the virtues: the Spirit does His part; we must do ours.” (OCPM 12/4/2015)
“The Lord allows a man’s vices to humble his soul. Perhaps he will turn from them. But courage is one of the general virtues begotten by Wisdom. Courageous people enrich others in virtue.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Proverbs 10:4)
~Michael Haldas, https://www.ancientfaith.com/contributors/michael_haldas.
Michael Haldas is an author, a religious educator and a speaker. He wrote Sacramental Living: Understanding Christianity as a Way of Life (published by Eastern Christian Publications), a book which he presented special editions of as gifts to Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in private audiences. Michael is also published monthly in Theosis Magazine and he has authored several Orthodox Christian themed articles for various publications. Additionally, he has recorded and contributed to multiple YouTube, DVD and CD educational projects. He teaches adult religious education and high school Sunday school at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Bethesda, Maryland and has worked with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Religious Education Department to create educational lessons and materials.
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