Author: Jay Forrest

Here is a saying to remember, “Never complain, never explain.”

Complaining does not accomplish anything. It only makes us dwell on the problem. It makes the problem bigger, and our feelings sadder. Complaining only drains out strength, it does not solve anything,

Likewise, explaining is useless. If you have to explain yourself it is because someone doesn’t understand. If they know the situation, it’s because they don’t want to understand. Everybody comes at reality from a different perspective. It is usually not worth trying to bridge perspectives in something like explaining yourself.

This goes back to the idea of letting your yes be yes, and your no be no. Just do what’s right, and don’t bother explaining why. People will either get it or they won’t. Don’t waste your time with words. Waste your time in love. For deeds. Speak louder than words.

St. Paisios the Athonite once said, “He who thinks he is capable of correcting others has too much ego.” –

It is only years later that I have come to understand this.

When one is ready to change they will ask, if they don’t ask them they are not willing. And a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.

Correct should be left to bishops and priests. It is not the place for hermits to meddle. You will only harm yourself.

What we can do, in fact must do, is take it to the Lord in prayer. God can do what we can never do. Truth God and keep quiet.

“But let not your fasts be with the hypocrites (Matthew 6:16); for they fast on the second [Monday] and fifth day [Thursday] of the week; but fast on the fourth day [Wednesday] and the Preparation [Friday]” (Didache 8:1).

First, let’s not get legalistic about this. It got so bad in the fourth century that if a layperson did not fast during these times, unless he was sick, he was to be excommunicated (Canon 69 of The Apostolic Canons). Fasting was created for man, not man for fasting.

But fasting is important, besides the physical benefits. It is a strong spiritual medicine that can heal many afflictions (Mark 9:29). If Jesus’ needed to fast, how much more do we (Matt. 4:2). The early believers fasted (Acts 13:2; 1 Cor. 7:5). Therefore, we should fast.

The easiest way to incorporate fasting into your routine is to follow the practice of the early church and fast every Wednesday and Friday. And how do we do this? St. Epiphanios says: “We fast on Wednesday and Friday until the ninth hour.” St. Benedict (Canon 41) also designates that the fast of Wednesday and Friday is until the ninth hour, which is 3 pm.

And why did the church choose Wednesday and Friday? According to the Holy Hieromartyr Peter (Canon 15): “On Wednesday because on this day the council of the Jews was gathered to betray our Lord; on Friday because on this day He suffered death for our salvation.”

Source

Exomologetarion by St. Nicodemus the Hagiorite

There’s a saying that I heard that I think is true. It goes something like this, “It takes more wisdom to receive advice than it does to give it.”

It’s also true that free advice is worth the price you pay. Don’t ask for advice unless you’re willing to receive it.

And don’t ask advice from someone who you don’t trust, and don’t believe is mature in the Lord.

Let him who has ears to hear, let him hear. Only an open heart has an open mind. Only an open mind can let in new light.

Wisdom is silent most of the time.