Quote for the Day

He [Abba James] also said, 'We do not need words only, for, at the present time, there are many words among men, but we need works, for this is what is required, not words which do not bear fruit.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

PASS IT ON

Jesus told us to be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves. (Mt. 10:16) Too often, whoever, we tend to be as venomous as vipers and as dumb as dodos. A case in point is the way we thoughtlessly pass on e-mails and things we read on the internet or hear on talk radio or TV.

That introduces the issue of gossip and slander. The apostle Paul groups these two actions with other evil characteristics of "God-haters" and those who "invent ways of doing evil." (Rom. 1:29-30) That's a crowd I'm sure we'd rather not be a part of.

James warns against the power of evil unleashed by an uncontrolled tongue. (James 3:5-9) In today's world the power of the tongue surely must include e-mail, Twitter and posts on blogs and Facebook. Uncontrolled use of them is as damaging as uncontrolled use of the tongue.

Paul reminds us that everything we do should be done for the glory of God. (I Cor. 10:31)

In light of these observations, let me suggest guidelines for us to follow before we click "send," "forward" or "post."

1. Be sure what we're about to disseminate is true.

Don't assume it's true because a friend said it or sent it. They may not have checked the facts.

Don't assume it's true because you read it in a favorite magazine or on a favorite website. Don't assume it's true because you heard it on talk radio or TV. The media has it's own agenda that may strictly adhere to the complete truth.

Search for the factual evidence yourself from a variety of sources.

2. Ask yourself if spreading this message will edify those who will receive it and enrich society as a whole. Most importantly, ask if spreading this is good for your own soul.

3. Finally, ask yourself if propagating this information or message brings glory to God.

If you answer "no" to any of these questions, don't send, forward, tweet or post it. Let it lie. This could result in less clutter in our inboxes, fewer hurt feelings and lower blood pressure.

If you find that this set of observations and guidelines is true, beneficial to society and can bring glory to God --

Pass It On

Quote for the Day

The same abba [Abba Isidore of Pelusia] said, 'Prize the virtues and do not be the slave of glory; for the former are immortal, while the latter soon fades.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba Poemen also said about Abba Isidore that wherever he addressed the brothers in church he said only one thing, 'Forgive your brother, so that you also may be forgiven.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba John said, 'We have put the light burden on one side, that is to say, self-accusation, and we have loaded ourselves with a heavy one, that is to say, self-justification.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

The same Abba Theophilus,the archbishop, came to Scetis one day. The brethren who were assembled said to Abba Pambo, 'Say something to the archbishop, so that he may be edified.' The old man said to them, 'If he is not edified by my silence, he will not be edified by my speech.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba Elias, the minister, said, 'What can sin do where there is penitence? And of what use is love where there is pride?'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Time to come home

Here's another reason the U.S. must leave Afghanistan. LEAVE NOW!

Quote for the Day

Abba Isaiah said, 'Nothing is so useful to the beginner as insults. The beginner who bears insults is like a tree that is watered every day.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba Zeno said, 'If a man wants God to hear his prayer quickly, then before he prays for anything else, even his own soul, when he stands and stretches out his hands towards God, he must pray with all his heart for his enemies. Through this action God will hear everything that he asks.''

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba Euprepius said, 'Knowing that God is faithful and mighty, have faith in him and you will share what is his. If you are depressed, you do not believe. We all believe that he is mighty and we believe all is possible to him. As for your own affairs, behave with faith in him about them, too, for he is able to work miracles in you also.''

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Taking Things Literally

Quote for the Day

A brother who had sinned was turned out of the church by the priest; Abba Bessarion got up and went with him, saying, 'I, too, am a sinner.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba Amoun of Nitria came to see Abba Anthony and said to him, 'Since my rule is stricter than yours how is it that your name is better known amongst men than mine is?' Abba Anthony answered, 'It is because I love God more than you.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

The same Abba Agathon was walking with his disciples. One of them, finding a small green pea on the road, said to the old man, 'Father, may I take it?' The old man, looking at him with astonishment, said, 'Was it you who put it there?' 'No,' replied the brother. 'How then,' continued the old man, 'can you take up something which you did not put down?'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Observation of the Day

For too many people, Jesus' observation "The poor you will have with you always" is a goal to be achieved through their efforts rather than a description of conditions in a sinful world.

Quote for the Day

Blessed Archbishop Theophilus, accompanied by a magistrate, came one day to find Abba Arsenius, He questioned the old man, to hear a word from him. After a short silence the old man answered him, 'Will you put into practice what I say to you?' They promised him this. 'If you hear Arsenius is anywhere, do not go there.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Someone said to blessed Arsenius, 'How is it that we, with all our education and our wide knowledge get no-where, while these Egyptian peasants acquire so many virtues?' Abba Arsenius said to him, 'We indeed get nothing from our secular education, but these Egyptian peasants acquire the virtues by hard work.'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

Abba Anthony said, 'A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him saying, 'You are mad, you are not like us."'

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

A hunter in the desert saw Abba Anthony enjoying himself with the brethren and he was shocked. Wanting to show him that it was necessary sometimes to meet the needs of the brethren, the old man said to him, 'Put an arrow in your bow and shot it.' So he did. The old man then said, 'Shoot another,' and he did so. Then the old man said, 'Shoot yet again,' and the hunter replied 'If I bend my bow so much I will break it.' Then the old man said to him, 'It is the same with the work of God. If we stretch the brethren beyond measure they will soon break. Sometimes it is necessary to come down to meet their needs.' When he heard these words the hunter was pierced y compunction and, greatly edified by the old man, he went away. As for the brethren, they went home strengthened.

-- The Sayings of the Desert Fathers