Quotes of the Day for December 31, 2025 – Thoughts on receiving and giving the mercy of Christ
- Michael Haldas
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 57 minutes ago
“In the Gospels, there are seven instances of someone calling on Jesus for mercy (Mt 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:30, 31; Mk 10:47, 48; Lk 17:13; 18:38, 39). In every case, they receive it.” (Orthodox Study Bible, 3 Maccabees 5:50-51)
“…we are struck by the ceaseless care that the Lord Jesus offers to wounded humanity. This essential truth – the truth of God’s mercy – can be easily overlooked amidst the many details of the Gospel. Mercy is priceless! We are to hold it close to our hearts, letting it soothe our minds and reassure us in the midst of this troubled life. Our Lord sympathized with the troubles that befell men while He was on earth, and He persists in His concern for us even now. We must not permit the woes of this life to turn us away from Him, for His mercy is unwavering.” (Dynamis 7/27/2020)
“This spiritual mercy is the criterion of our genuine love for our neighbor. It’s easy to throw a coin to a beggar, but it’s much harder to forgive someone who has wronged you. It’s easy to donate to charity, but it’s much harder to spend your time listening to a lonely person and sharing in his sorrow. A truly merciful person does not show mercy for his own advantage, or for appearances’ sake, or to be praised, but because he cannot do otherwise. His heart becomes like the heart of Christ, and He pours out love and compassion on everyone around…The Lord will never leave the merciful and generous without sustenance. There’s a wonderful principle, even a law, in the spiritual life: “The hand of the giver won’t be impoverished.” The Lord always abundantly rewards those who help others, even in earthly life. But this requires faith and determination, of course.” (Priest Tarasiy Borozenets, Archpriest Pavel Gumerov)
“We may touch the hem of Christ’s garment, like the woman in the Gospel in the hopes of receiving God’s mercy, but then we are not to withdraw into the safety of our homes, but rather to go into the dangerous world to share the experience of the blessings we have received. We come to the Church infirm…but then we are not supposed to want to remain as an invalid to be constantly ministered to. Rather, we are to become ministers of the Gospel and go into the world to share the light, the healing, the love and the truth which we have received. We don’t go to the hospital to be taken care of and pampered for the rest of our lives. We go there to be healed and then head back to our homes in order to live now healed. In any case hospitals kick us out pretty quickly as they are not trying to make us dependent on their care. They are aiming to heal us so we can go on with life. That is what should happen in our churches as well – we assemble together to be one with those united to Christ, but then strengthened and healed we go back to the world to do the work of the Lord by ministering to others still in need.” (Fr. Ted Bobosh)
“A Prayer for All - Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on each of us; have mercy on the world; have mercy on those who have fallen asleep and their families; have mercy on those who are sick and their loved ones; have mercy on all health care workers, and protect and keep them safe; have mercy on those who are not sick and keep them well; have mercy on those who are fearful, anxious, depressed and given to panic, may they find peace in their spirit in You; have mercy on those who hoard and give them a spirit of sharing; have mercy on our clergy and grant them wisdom to lead us spiritually according to Your will; have mercy on the laity and guide them to find ways to connect deeper with you and each other; have mercy on our world leaders and governments and bless them with wisdom to guide us rightly; and bless us all according to Your good and perfect will. Amen.” (Sacramental Living Ministries)