Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...

+ There was in the monastery an old man called Apollo. If someone came to
find him doing a work of charity, he would set out joyfully, saying, “I am going
to work with Christ today, for the salvation of my soul, for that is the reward He
gives.”
- The Desert Fathers
+ The thief was on the Cross and he was justified by a single word. Judas
who was among the apostles lost all that he labored for in one single night and
descended from heaven to hell. Therefore, let no one boast of his good works,
for all those who trust only in themselves will fall.
- Abba Xanthias
+ Do not presume to teach anyone in words what you have not already
performed in deed. For Our Lord “began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1).
- St. John Cassian
+lt is true that those who do good cannot escape notice altogether. Indeed the
Lord said, “Let your light shine before men.” (St. Matthew 5:16), though here it
is understood that we do good for the glory of God and not for our own glory or
because we desire men's praise. If this is not the case, then we are lacking in
faith, as the Lord makes clear when He says, “How can you have faith when
you receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes
from Almighty God” (St. John 5:44).
- St. Makarios of Egypt
+ All my happiness and unhappiness are contained in the thoughts and
inclinations of my heart. If the thoughts and inclinations of my heart are in
accord with God’s truth or with the will of God, then I am at rest, filled with
Divine light, joy and blessedness. If not, I am uneasy, filled with spiritual,
soul- corrupting darkness, heaviness and despondency.
- St. John of Kronstadt
+ Perish the thought that there is any true virtue in anyone who is not just.
- St. Augustine
+ We actively manifest love in forbearance and patience towards our
neighbor, in genuinely desiring his good, and in the right use of material things.
- St. Maximos the Confessor
+ We contend here on earth, we are crowned elsewhere.
- St. Jerome
+ In the business of the Christian life the main point is not merely to pray or do
some other good deed. If we understand the Commandments of Christ and of
the apostles aright, our business as Christians consists not in increasing the
number of our good deeds, which are the only means of furthering the purpose
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