Quotes of the Day for April 14, 2026 – Thoughts on finding and having joy and knowing death and sorrow are not everlasting
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Updated: 13 hours ago
“Today we continue to celebrate the most fundamental and joyful proclamation of our faith: Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life! He is our Pascha, our Passover, from death to life, for Hades and the grave could not contain the God-Man Who shares with us His victory over corruption and decay in all their forms. In a world enslaved to the fear of the grave, He has illumined even the dark night of the tomb with the brilliant light of heavenly glory. As Christ said to Martha before He raised Lazarus, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25) Because death did not have the last word on our Lord, it will not, by His grace, have the last word on us or on any who call upon His Name.” (Fr. Philip LeMasters)
“The reality of death means that all experiences of beauty in this world are transitory, like flowers that blossom in the sun only to wilt and die. We have encounters of true joy through the beauty of art, music, and friendship, but these are episodic and, even at their best, leave us longing for something that lies beyond the reach of the present age. Through these encounters, we glimpse something eternal—something that remains even after death and vanity have had their say and after we have turned to dust in the ground. A language beyond mere words assures us that there is a deeper magic that will one day subsume us. Even as creation groans in bondage, every flower, every sunset, and every work of beauty whispers to us of that coming finale our present experience so tantalizingly points toward, and toward which all creation groans in hope.” (Robin Phillips)
“Sorrow and suffering are in fact temporary conditions belonging to this fallen world. “For the Lord’s anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning“ (Psalm 30:5). Suffering and sorrow may be a just result of our sin, but they are not eternal conditions. They create in us a broken heartedness which brings the Lord closer us.” (Fr. Ted Bobosh)
“The apostle Paul writes to his disciples in Rome, The night is far spent, the day is at hand (Rom 13:12). Night is the time of darkness, when most crimes are committed. Night is also the sinful state of the soul that does not want to know God and does not strive for salvation. Predators hunt at night, and the enemy of mankind works in darkness, “like a lion roaring after its prey, seeking whom he might destroy.” I am the light of the world, says the Lord. He chases away the darkness of night, and grants people the Light of Eternal Life. Each person has the possibility to enter into this wondrous divine Light. After all, Christ came into the world for this, and poured out His blood on the Cross so that we might enter into His unutterable joy.” (Metropolitan Luke Kovalenko)
“Moreover, Paul says that we have "joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:15). Because of these blessings, we "abound" in hope. Augustine wrote, "Though human life is compelled to be wretched by all the grievous evils of this world, it is happy in the expectation of the world to come"—that is to say, in eternity"…In Augustine's view, despite the corruption and death of this world, the hope for eternity is the only foundation of all human happiness, bringing us the assurance of eternal life. It is also the root of joy and peace. How can we have lasting joy without the hope of the resurrection beyond death? And who can have peace of mind, heart, and soul without the expectation that all our troubles and sorrows will reach their end in the blessed life of eternity? This understanding should inspire us and fill us with hope.” (Fr. Basil)
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