Pondering Tidbits of Truth is my simple and inadequate way of providing nuggets of spiritual wisdom for you to chew on from time to time.
St. John Chrysostom
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"Even if you do not confess, God is not ignorant of the deed, since he knew it before it was committed. Why then do you not speak of it? Does the transgression become heavier by the confession? No, it becomes lighter and less troublesome. And this is why he wants you to confess: not that you should be punished, but that you should be forgiven; not that he may learn your sin—how could that be, since he has seen it?—but that you may learn what favor he bestows. He wishes you to learn the greatness of his grace, so that you may praise him perfectly, that you may be slower to sin, that you may be quicker to virtue. And if you do not confess the greatness of the need, you will not understand the enormous magnitude of his grace." (From A Year with The Church Fathers) |
St. John
Chrysostom , p. 255 |
Mandy Mazzawi
“… Prayer is essential to
our Christian life. It equips us, reminds us who we are and whose we are; it is
a weapon of faith and a consolation during difficulties. It is an act of
humility and surrender to God's will over our own.
In short, we need prayer
to persevere in our Christian faith, to nourish our souls, to enlighten our intellect,
and equip our hearts.”
(From Missio Dei for September 9, 2025)
St. John Chrysostom
"There is nothing colder
than a Christian who does not seek to save others
You cannot plead poverty
here; the widow putting in her two coins will be your accuser…
Each one can help his
neighbor if only he is willing to do what is in his power,
Notice that [the selfish
or foolish virgins] are not accused of personal sins, They are not accused of
committing fornication or perjury or any such sin at all: only of not helping
anybody. The man who buried the talent was like this. His life was blameless,
but he was of no service to others.
How can such a person be
a Christian?
…Do not say: it is
impossible for me to influence others. If you are a Christian, it is impossible
for this not to happen. If you say that a Christian cannot help others, you
have insulted God and called Him a liar…
Do not insult God…The
light of a Christian cannot escape notice. So bright a lamp cannot be hidden.”
(From a Homily on the Acts of the Apostles)
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