Our Daily Bread

An orthodox blog quoting saints from the 1st century until today and other nice christian quotes. Just a pilgrim helping fellow pilgrims on our journey to Heaven.

[read-pray-serve-love]

And if we fear on account of our frailty to fall under the assaults of our enemies, against whom we must continually wage war, behold what we have to do, as the Apostle admonishes us: "Let us run to the fight proposed unto us: looking on Jesus the author and finisher of faith, who having joy proposed unto Him, underwent the cross, despising the shame." (Heb. 12:1-2) Let us go out to the battle with great courage, looking at Jesus crucified, who from his cross offers us his assistance, the victory, and crown. In past times we fell into sin because we left off looking at the wounds and the pains endured by our Redeemer, and so we did not have recourse to him for help. But if for the future we set before our eyes all he has suffered for love of us, and how he ever stands ready to assist us when we have recourse to him, it is certain that we shall not be conquered by our enemies.

Alphonsus

[read-pray-serve-love]

Take the example of merchants. While on a voyage, even if they find a suitable wind and a calm sea, still as long as they have not reached the harbor, they always are in fear lest suddenly a contrary wind should blow and the sea would be stirred up by waves and the ship would be in danger. So too Christians, even if they possess within themselves a favorable wind of the Holy Spirit blowing, they still fear lest the wind of the opposing force should rise up and blow and stir up a storm and waves for their souls. Therefore, there is need of great diligence so that we may arrive at the harbor of rest, at the perfect world, at the eternal life and pleasure, at the city of the saints, at the heavenly Jerusalem, at "the Church of the firstborn" (Heb 12:23). If a person does not pass through those degrees, he is under great fear, lest by chance at some time the evil power should bring about some fall.

Saint Macarius the Great

[read-pray-serve-love]

Whenever an organ forces itself on our attention it is unhealthy. The loud pumping of our heart when we climb, cycle, row, or ride tells us it is not in order. When we feel a stab of pain in our lungs, or worse still cough up blood; when our lungs make us keenly aware of their existence so that we have to concern ourselves with them then it is clear that they are sick. It is exactly the same with individual people in the community of mankind. When an individual makes himself noticeable, when he calls attention to himself, emphasizing and giving prominence to his own ego, it is obvious that he is sick. The vital context of healthy life is in deadly peril-endangered by himself.

Individual and World Need - Eberhard Arnold

[read-pray-serve-love]

[read-pray-serve-love]

The origin and cause of uncontrollable thoughts lies in the splitting up, by man's transgression, of his single and simple memory. Memory can be cured by constant repentance.

Gregory of Sinai

[read-pray-serve-love]

You may talk of armies, money, horses, walls, arms, or any thing else whatsoever; you will name nothing like long-suffering. For he that is encompassed with those, oftentimes, being overcome by anger, is upset like a worthless child, and fills all with confusion and tempest: but this man, settled as it were in a harbor, enjoys a profound calm. Though you surround him with loss, you have not moved the rock; though you bring insult upon him, you have not shaken the tower: and though you bruise him with stripes, you have not wounded the adamant.

Saint John Chrysostom, Homily XXXIII on the 1st Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians

[read-pray-serve-love]

Medical immunology is a metaphor of the spiritual warfare.

[read-pray-serve-love]

To an afflicted soul, divinely prescribed and faithfully practiced repentance brings a melting into love, and a renewal of life, that nothing else can give.

God's Path to Sanity, Dee Pennock

[read-pray-serve-love]

A mountain is lighter than the weight of sin on the conscience of a true Christian.

Fr Matthew the Poor

[read-pray-serve-love]

When the hosts of the enemy distress you, when your frame is fevered and your passions roused, when you say in your heart, What shall I do? Elisha's words shall give you your answer, "Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." He shall pray, "Lord, open the eyes of your handmaid that she may see." And then when your eyes have been opened you shall see a fiery chariot like Elijah's waiting to carry you to heaven, and shall joyfully sing: "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken and we are escaped."

Saint Jerome, Letter to Eustochium

[stkatherine]

Ever let mercy outweigh all else in you. Let our compassion be a mirror where we may see in ourselves that likeness and that true image which belong to the Divine nature and Divine essence. A heart hard and unmerciful will never be pure.

St. Isaac of Syria (via stkatherine)

[read-pray-serve-love]

No pretext of ignorance now remains to plead on your behalf; in that, after acknowledging the Lord, and accepting His precepts—in short, after engaging in repentance of (past) sins—you again betake yourself to sins.

Tertullian

[read-pray-serve-love]

Every Christian should find for himself the imperative and incentive to become holy. If you live without struggle and without hope of becoming holy, then you are Christians only in name and not in essence. But without holiness, no one shall see the Lord, that is to say they will not attain eternal blessedness. It is a trustworthy saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (I Tim. 1:15). But we deceive ourselves if we think that we are saved while remaining sinners. Christ saves those sinners by giving them the means to become saints.

St. Philaret of Moscow, Sermon of September 23, 1847

[read-pray-serve-love]

Those who are progressing from strength to strength, according to the prophetic blessing (Ps 84.7), are disposed in their hearts for noble ascents. Whenever they lay hold of some good thought, they are led by it to a still loftier thought, which brings about for the soul an ascent on high. Thus he who ever stretches forward (Phil 3.13), shall never cease on the good road upward (cf. Ps 84.5), being guided through lofty thoughts to the apprehension of transcendent realities.

Saint Gregory of Nyssa

[read-pray-serve-love]

For, as much as God is in want of nothing, so much does man stand in need of fellowship with God.    

Saint Irenæus

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Christ is still roaming among sinners healing every weakness and every infirmity of the soul. The Holy Spirit is ever-ready to endow the tremulous with power from the highest. Grace is present every day to support the trembling hands and the feeble knees. And the love of Christ, when enkindled in the repentant heart, changes it from a timid one to that of a martyr.

Father Matthew the Poor

[read-pray-serve-love]

Some make perfection consist in an austere life; others in prayer; others in frequenting the Sacraments; others in alms-deeds. But they deceive themselves: perfection consists in loving God with our whole heart.

St. Francis de Sales