You Cannot Be Too Gentle

Fr. David Rucker, Associate Director of the Orthodox Christian Missions Centre, spent the weekend with Bonnie and me. He was here for the wedding of James and Daphne who are long-term Orthodox missionaries in Tanzania.  Fr. David and I got along swell.  I think Orthodox missionaries around the world are in good hands under his care.


Fr. David gave me a quote from St. Seraphim of Sarov, a quote that his bishop gave him when he was ordained.

You cannot be too gentle,

too kind.

Shun even to appear harsh

in your treatment

of each other.

Joy, radiant joy,

streams from the face

of him who gives

and kindles joy in the heart 

of him who receives.

All condemnation

is from the devil.

Never condemn each other.

Instead of condemning others,

strive to reach inner peace.

Keep silent,

refrain from judgement.

This will raise you 

above the deadly arrows

of slander, insult, and outrage

and will shield your glowing hearts

against all evil.

That about sums up the Orthodox Christian spiritual quest.  No matter how heretical, corrupt, sinful, messy, stinky, unfair, uncomfortable or un-Orthodox my friends and neighbours are, if I can just acquire genuine peace and joy in my heart, that will do more to help, save and draw my neighbor to Christ than anything else I could possibly say or do.  I cannot love my neighbor if my very presence afflicts him or her.  But if I allow myself to be transfigured, then whatever I say or do will be irradiated with the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.