On reading the Bible simply as a set of instructions

The Scripture is nothing other than instruction on how to receive Heavenly Grace. But if we simply read a set of instructions and do not try to, let us say, put a bookcase together or use a computer program, the set of instructions will remain unmastered and will be soon forgotten… And vice versa, those who attend the Sunday Divine Liturgy and then read the Scripture at home will comprehend meaning in it that they would never have comprehended otherwise.

- Priest-Martyr Daniel Sysoyev

On reading the Gospel

Do not undertake to explain the Gospels or the other books of Holy Scripture yourself. The Scriptures were not expressed arbitrarily by the prophets and apostles, but by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. How mindless then is it to explain them arbitrarily? The Holy Spirit, having expressed the Word of God through the prophets and apostles, explained it through the Holy Fathers. Both the Word of God and its explanation are a gift of the Holy Spirit. The holy Orthodox Church and its true children accept only this patristic interpretation!

- St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, On Reading the Gospel

On the Gospel

The Gospel not only teaches the faith, it is the school of morals, the mirror of conversation.

- St. Ambrose of Milan

Studying the holy and sacred Gospel…

Studying the holy and sacred Gospel, I found in it many and different teachings which are all pearls, diamonds, treasures, riches, joy, gladness-eternal life. Among the other things I also found this teaching in which Christ says to us: no Christian, man or woman, should be concerned only with himself, how he can be saved, but must be concerned also with his brethren so that they may not fall into sin.

- St. Cosmas Aitolos

Has some good thought come to you?

Has some good thought come to you? Stop! Whatever you do, do not rush to implement it or carry it out over hastily, without thinking. Have you felt some good impulse or inclination in your heart? Stop! Do not dare to be drawn by it. Check it with the Gospel. See whether your good thought and your heart’s good impulse tally with the Lord’s holy teaching.

- St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

On hearing the Gospel

Take heed how your hear the Gospel. It seems that the Lord wants to say that we hear with our hearts rather than our ears, and that the inner life affects the word of God, either killing it, or making it live and thrive. So whoever wants to hear the word well, understand it, and hold it fast in an honest and good heart should prepare his heart inwardly so that the word may safely take root there, finding in his heart faithfulness to God and truthfulness in word and promise. It is absolutely impossible that anyone should understand what he hears of the word of God, if he is not completely honest before God and has not determined to surrender his life, his responsibilities, his interests, his money, his future, and his own honor and lay them at God’s feet.

- Father Matthew the Poor

He who has no love

He who has no love cannot be called a Christian… The whole Gospel is summarized in compassion. And this secures immortality and eternal life to man.

- Fr Justin Popovitch

If the Gospels were lost…

We should try to live in such a way that if the Gospels were lost, they could be re-written by looking at us.

- Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh

Τhe Gospel is like the sun

Our heart is like the darkened earth; the Gospel is like the sun, enlightening and giving life to our hearts. May the true sun of Thy righteousness shine in our hearts, O Lord!

- St. John of Kronstadt

On the Orthodox Gospel

The Gospel of Christ must be preached throughout the world in an Orthodox context. Only then will the end come.

- Saint John the Wonder-worker of San Francisco

Try to live like this…

We should try to live in such a way that if the Gospels were lost, they could be re-written by looking at us.

- Met. Anthony of Sourozh

Τhe Gospel is like the sun

Our heart is like the darkened earth; the Gospel is like the sun, enlightening and giving life to our hearts. May the true sun of Thy righteousness shine in our hearts, O Lord!

-St. John of Kronstadt

Check it with the Gospel

Has some good thought come to you? Have you felt some good impulse or inclination in your heart? Stop! Check it with the Gospel.

– Blessed Vladyka Ignatij (Brianchaninov)

Gospel Reading: Luke 8:41-56 (7th Sunday of Luke)

At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus’ feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!” But Jesus said, “Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

Read More

The Parable of the rich man and Lazarus

Metropolitan Anthony Sourozh

As every of Christ’s parables of the judgement today’s parable has got a very simple aspect and at the same time should be reflected on a deeper level.

The simple aspect is this: you have had on earth all that was good, Lazarus has had nothing; he therefore receives in eternity all the goods which he has lacked on earth and you are deprived of it. But this is not the real and deeper meaning of it.

Who is this rich man? It is a man who not only possessed all that the earth could give him: wealth, a good name, a status among his follow-citizens; it is a man who craved for nothing else. All he wanted, all he needed was material wealth, a good standing among men, reverence, admiration, a slavish obedience of those who were under him.

Read more HERE