Quotes of the Day for March 31, 2026 – Thoughts on giving mercy and grace to others
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“If the thought of condemning another arises within you, immediately think: “Why should I look at someone else when I myself am a sinner? And how can I judge another when I myself will be judged? He sins one way and I another—also bad, or even worse. Perhaps he sins out of ignorance, but my sins aren’t out of ignorance. Perhaps he has such a personality, upbringing, nature, but I have a different nature, yet I do such things…” This is how we have to constantly humble ourselves.” (Schema-Archimandrite Mikhail Krechetov)
“Before forming a hostile opinion about someone in the blink of an eye, based upon our own observations or suspicions, let’s stop. Let us stop and remember that each one of us without exception has something that could make others turn away from us with dislike, suspicion, and disgust. And if we ourselves do not want the “dark truth” of our biography to become the basis of people’s relationship to us, then let us not believe in dark rumors, facts, and opinions—not only because they are not true, but because they do not define the fullness of the human personality. It would be better for us to be mistaken in thinking well of a person than to be mistaken in thinking poorly of him. Belief in the better in any case leaves a person with the chance to correct himself, even if he acted badly. That means a lot! And we do not sin by believing in what is better in a person, even if our hopes are seemingly unjustified. God also “believes” in that person and works with all His might to help effect his correction. To the contrary, if we believe in the worse, and our suspicions are not justified, then we sin greatly by our slander and judgment of the person, even if it is only in our heart. But if we turn out to be “correct” in our suspicions, then we are sinning in that we did not resist our suspicions, and thereby, perhaps, we have helped evil to take root in him. Because belief in someone else’s evil strangely increases the probability of its actually coming to pass.” (Priest Dimitry Shishkin)
“In condemning, a person breaks the spiritual law of life in God and immediately receives a notice that he has sinned gravely. How many times this has happened—someone prays, asks God for mercy, forgiveness, the Lord gives it to him, and the person leaves the service renewed! But then he meets someone on the way back from Church, and condemnation begins: “This person’s this or that way, and he over there is off his rocker!” That’s all it takes. He loses everything that he gained! And many Holy Fathers say that the moment you look at someone wrongly, accept a foolish thought about them, grace leaves you instantly. Grace does not bear condemnation, which is utterly opposed to the gospel spirit.” (Archpriest Georgiy Bryeyev)
“…the measure of our mercy to our neighbors determines the measure of God’s mercy to us. This is not a “deal” with God or a mechanical exchange: “I give you a dollar, and You, Lord, forgive my sin.” No. This is an ontological, essential law of spiritual life. The mercy that you show to others is evidence that your heart has become merciful—that is, it has become like God’s heart. And what kind of heart can accept God’s mercy? Only a heart that can contain it—that is, a merciful one.” (Priest Tarasiy Borozenets)
“We can’t wait till the last minute to decide to be mercy givers. We can’t wait till our final breath to decide that love and mercy matter. We need to live lives that testify that love and mercy matter. It is not always easy. It is not always easy and there are times when it seems like it is not always possible.” (Jackie Morfesis)