Words for the Heart

You cannot be too gentle, too kind.

Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other.

Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives.

All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other…

Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace.

Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult, and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

About Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen is a retired Archpriest of the Orthodox Church in America. He is also author of Everywhere Present: Christianity in a One-Storey Universe, and Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame, as well as the Glory to God podcast series on Ancient Faith Radio.

Posted

October 20, 2006

Orthodox Blogs

Comments

2 responses to “Words for the Heart”

Vito

October 20, 2006

When I read the words of the saint I thought of these words from another saint:
“…Put aside hatred and hostility. See to it that you refrain from harsh words. But if you do
speak them, do not be ashamed to apply the remedy from the same lips that inflicted the
wounds. In this way you show each other mercy and not keep alive the memories of past
wrongs. Remembering grievances works great damage. It is accompanied by anger, fosters
sin, and brings a hatred for justice. It is a rusty arrow spreading poison in the soul. It destroys
virtue and is a cancer in the mind. It thwarts prayer and mangles the petitions we make to
God. It drives out love and is a nail driven into the soul, an evil that never sleeps, a sin that
never fades away, a kind of daily death.

Be lovers of peace, the most precious treasure that anyone can desire. You are already aware
that our sins drive God to anger, so you must repent of them, that God in his mercy may
spare you. What men conceal is open to God. Turn to him with a sincere heart. Live in such a
way that you bring upon yourselves the blessing of God, and that the peace of God our
Father may be with you always.”

A reading from the letters of St. Francis of Paola, Hermit (Letter AD 1486)
Father, wishing all the best to you in your new adventure! Vito
fatherstephen

October 20, 2006

Such thoughts must be the stuff saints are made of. 🙂

Subscribe to blog via email

Support the work

Your generous support for Glory to God for All Things will help maintain and expand the work of Fr. Stephen. This ministry continues to grow and your help is important. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!

Donate via PayPal now »

Latest Comments

Fr. Stephen on Looking Like ChristmasDecember 26, 2024
Dee, It is koine Greek, pronounced with contemporary Greek rules. The so-called “classical” pronunciation, sometimes called the “Erasmian” pronunciation has…
Fr. Stephen on Looking Like ChristmasDecember 26, 2024
Matthew, God alone knows such things.
Matthew on Looking Like ChristmasDecember 26, 2024
Thanks so much Fr. Stephen. But will they see the beauty of God?
Dee of St Herman on Looking Like ChristmasDecember 26, 2024
Dear Michael, You’ve given me much food for my thoughts and I sincerely appreciate it!! Indeed the Holy Spirit provides.…
Michael Bauman on Looking Like ChristmasDecember 26, 2024
What gifts I have received or that, I believe most do are gifts of the Holy Spirit in and through…