Quotes of the Day for April 17, 2026 – Thoughts on who and what we are devoted to
- 16 hours ago
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“The question of whether atheism or godly devotion lodges in our soul is answered when we acknowledge the image of God in everyone we meet. We are to seek Christ in everyone, from the holiest of saints down to the most depraved souls…A person of peace is one devoted to God, committed to doing good. Unlike them, “The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death” (Psalm 37:32). This means if we are constantly watching others to find fault with them, we are doing what the Psalm says the wicked do. [In my mind, that is what many social media personalities and influencers do – watch their opponents to be able to jump on any little mistake they make. According to the Psalm, that is the work of the wicked. They have no intention of trying to find a way to peace with others.] When we remain faithful to Christ’s Gospel teachings, then we will look for the image of God in others and be people of peace. We may suffer for our choice, but we will be the children of God.” (Dynamis 12/26/2023, Fr. Ted Bobosh)
“Most English versions of Proverbs use the word “trust” to translate the idea of taking refuge in God…The Hebrew term suggests that we find our security in the Lord. The Septuagint (LXX) uses the Greek word meaning “to rely on”…Accordingly, “trusting” here means to depend on and put our confidence in the Lord. But Proverbs directs us to put our confidence in the Almighty “with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5). The “heart” is the seat of our thoughts, feelings, morality, and conscience. Thus, the writer of Proverbs advises that our dependence on God should be without reservation. We should devote our thoughts, feelings, and desires, as well as our will to trusting in God.” (Fr. Basil)
“… “the highest state, for each person individually, is always the particular state to which that person is specifically called.” The crucial factor is not the form which devotion to God takes, but that obedient love toward God be at the heart of one’s life…” (Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, Fr. Philip LeMasters)
“In the rush of fast-moving days, it happens that even people who are very devoted to the Church can lose their connection with Christ. Church services, the sacraments and prayer can sometimes pall on both laity and clergy, because, as we know, people are receptive to everything new, being fickle in heart to what has long been familiar. Of course, in no case can we say this about everyone: there are people akin to the Apostle Peter, distinguished by an ardent disposition and a burning heart. Even having doubted something and cooled down to righteous deeds, they, by virtue of their character, quickly embark again on the right path, zealously searching for God in their souls, and feel out of place until they have found Him.” (Kira Kireyeva)
“We live in a time when many people water down and distort the Christian faith however it pleases them. Some do so in support of their favorite political or cultural agendas, while others simply want a little spirituality to help them find greater peace of mind or success in their daily lives, which do not differ at all from those of people who do not identify themselves as Christians…If we surrender to the popular distortions of Christian faith in our culture, we will set our sights so low to the point that we fit right in with the darkness that is all around us. We will then think that we are faithful Christians even as we hate our enemies, place our ultimate allegiance to the false gods of this world, and otherwise devote ourselves to the service of pride, power, and pleasure. Our Christian witness will then not be worthy of the name, and we will do more harm than good both to our neighbors and to our own souls.” (Fr. Philip LeMasters)