Thoughts on meekness and strength
By Michael Haldas, August 1, 2016
“Our Lord described Himself as meek (Matt. 11:29), yet He smashed up the markets outside the temple in Jerusalem (John 2:13–22); He denounced the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees as “hypocrites” and a “brood of vipers” and told them they were going to hell (Matt. 23:13–33). He frequently rebuked His apostles and admonished the Israelites for their faithlessness (Luke 9:41). He was no pushover, until He voluntarily gave Himself up to humiliation, violence, and death, even though as God He had the power— and, indeed, the right— to destroy His oppressors on the spot.” (Archimandrite Vassilios Papavassiliou)
“True strength is found in understanding our weakness and Christ’s sufficiency.” (Foundation Study Bible, 1 Corinthians 4:10)
“…meekness often subdues even the most beastly enemies, softens them and pacifies them…Contrary to popular opinion, it takes strength to be gentle. (St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, Lloyd John Ogilvie)
“Some people think that belief in God is a crutch for weak people who cannot make it on their own. God is indeed a shield to protect us when we are too weak to face certain trials by ourselves, but He does not want us to remain weak. He strengthens, protects, and guides us…” (Life Application Study Bible, Psalms 18:30)
“Whatever we may encounter in our life, if we can humbly meet it with a certainty that God loves us, that God wills our salvation, and that somehow He is in control of everything (even the bad), then like the Canaanite woman we will be able to receive that precious gift of humility that enables us to have our prayers answered before God. This makes us strong with His strength, and that will lead us to the Kingdom of heaven.” (Archimandrite Sergius)
Thoughts on the spirituality of laughter
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh (ὅτιγελάσετε).” (Lk 6: 21) Here is an oft-forgotten, oft-neglected promise made by my Lord to those who take up their cross: laughter! I have seen this promise come true in the lives of people who lead lives of conscious, spiritual growth and struggle: Despite their unmistakable, focused earnestness, they often laugh wholeheartedly. They have the capacity to laugh good-naturedly at themselves, and at the absurdity of some of our human predicaments. So laughter is a gift of the Holy Spirit, promised to those of us who open up to weeping –to weeping in His light, according to His truth.” (Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin)
“Laughter is a precious gift, for it allows us to share circumstances in a special way. When we allow ourselves to enjoy funny events, we are able to put ourselves in proper perspective. Our ability to laugh at ourselves helps reduce our sense of self-importance.” (Abbott Tryphon)
“Laughter is a precious gift to life, and it is wonderful when we can see and enjoy the oftentimes humorous events and circumstances of our lives. It is especially wonderful when we are able to eliminate our sense of self-importance and also laugh heartily at ourselves.” (Rev Andrew J. Demotses)
“Joy is a choice. It’s a matter of attitude that stems from one’s confidence in God—that He is at work, that He is in full control, that He is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening and will happen. Either we fix our minds on that and determine to laugh again, or we wail and whine our way through life. We determine which way we will go.” (Chuck Swindoll)
“Laughter removes all barriers. When people are laughing together, there are no age differences, no racial barriers, and no economic distinctions. It is just people enjoying their existence.” (Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz)
~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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