Impact
- Michael Haldas
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
“For in a very real sense no general ‘man’ – be he American or any other – no ‘society’, no ‘culture’ has at any time truly accepted Christianity and from this point of view there is nothing radically new in our American situation. But at all times and in all ‘cultures’ there were persons who did accept it and have lived by it and, although it was not their ‘motivation’ or preoccupation, they have always and everywhere left a deep impact on the ‘society’ and the ‘culture’ to which they belonged and have truly changed it from inside. Thus the early Christian martyrs did more for the ultimate victory of Christianity than the ‘apologies,’ and kept the Christian society Christian at least in inspiration; the monks did more than ‘Christian’ governments.” (Fr. Alexander Schmemann)
“We would do well to think on the effect we have on the lives of others. Do we truly grasp the impact we all have on each other?...The positive memories we create in others can be like a beacon in the darkness….Witnessing this again and again, I became convinced that you can tell if a person is holy by the impact he has on those around him….All our relationships, actions, and desires must be healed and reoriented to the Kingdom in order for us to enter into the joy of our Lord’s resurrection as whole persons. That is not a disembodied or abstract vocation, but a tangible and practical calling that impacts every dimension of our lives as embodied persons…one needs nothing more than a small and dedicated space to make a significant impact in culture…” (Fr. Joshua Makoul, Constantina R. Palmer, Fr. Philip LeMasters, Makoto Fujimura)
“Imagine meeting someone who is so strong, resolute, full of conviction, and filled with zeal. The qualities of his or her undaunted faith could not help but have a powerful impact on you. Those with such confidence in the face of adversity create an aura around them. Their presence is a refuge of grace amid the storms of our life, a shelter of thanksgiving amid the worries and cares of life. But what if we could be that sort of faithful person for our friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances around us? Paul believes that we can, writing more than once, “Imitate me” (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). The result is that faith in God’s grace and thanksgiving for His mercy would indeed increase and reach more and more people to the Glory of God.” (Fr. Basil)
“Generosity in our perception of others has a huge impact on them. When we learn to see the good and the holy in others, what is good and holy in them becomes manifest. That is, the Holy Spirit at work within us to see or to hear what is good and holy in others—if indeed we do allow the Holy Spirit to influence our perception of others—actually has an effect on those around us. The Holy Spirit is at work in both us and them, and how we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, how we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to hear and how to see, this has a huge effect on the Holy Spirit’s work in and on those outside us.” (Fr. Michael Gillis)
“More important than being known is being of value. The great impact of a loving parent may shake nations.” (Richard Paul Evans)
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