Embodying Charity vs. Institutional Distance

The Evergetinos continues to unveil through the lives of the saints the beauty and power of a heart freed from anger and the desire for vengeance. In the story of Saint Spyridon and the deceitful shipowner we see how divine simplicity disarms deceit. The Saint entrusted his gold to another with pure confidence and without suspicion, and when that trust was betrayed he did not rage or demand justice. Instead he allowed truth to reveal itself in silence. The emptiness of the box became the mirror of the man’s soul, and the words of the Saint, spoken without bitterness, pierced him more deeply than any accusation. You are defrauding yourself, not me, he said. The gentleness of the holy man became the instrument of repentance. By leaving judgment to God and refusing anger, he brought a sinner back to truth and left a testimony of meekness that is stronger than any earthly power.

Saint Evthymios the New of Madytos embodied the same spirit. When thieves broke into his church and desecrated what was sacred, he prevented others from punishing them and instead took them into his home. He fed them, freed them, and sent them away forgiven. The wrath of men would have destroyed them, but his mercy broke their hearts and restored them to life. Later when he found other men stealing wheat during a famine he did not rebuke them but joined in their labor, taking the place of the accomplice who had fled. The thief, seeing later who had helped him, was overcome with fear and awe. For Evthymios, compassion was the only response to human need. His heart was so formed by divine love that he no longer regarded anything as his own. He had been freed from the possessiveness that feeds anger and from the blindness that makes us see others as enemies.

All these holy ones teach that freedom is born of meekness. Anger enslaves the heart to the one who offends it, while forgiveness releases the soul into the hands of God. To bear injustice without vengeance is not weakness but participation in the strength of Christ who on the cross asked forgiveness for His murderers. To the eyes of the world these men seem defeated, yet they are the victors in the only battle that matters, the struggle against the passions.

O Lord, grant me this peace of the saints. When I am wronged, let me remember Saint Spyridon’s quiet mercy, Saint Evthymios’ compassion, and the Elders’ serene acceptance. Let me not defend myself with anger or words but entrust all things to You who judge with truth. Let me see in every loss the chance to become poor in spirit, in every insult the seed of humility, in every theft the call to freedom. Teach me to bless those who wrong me and to keep my hope unshaken, for You alone are my refuge and my portion. May my only vengeance be love, my only wealth contentment, and my only victory the peace that comes from Your presence.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:03:12 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/blog

00:03:34 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 301, # 3

00:05:35 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/blog

00:07:52 iPhone (6): Just letting you know new participant Joan Chakonas has joined the group.

00:09:21 iPhone (6): I’ll try to figure out how to change my id from “iphone6” if you see what I see

00:11:21 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/blog

00:13:09 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 301 section 3

00:16:13 Janine: Sensus fidelium has been around for a long time

00:16:26 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: https://www.philokaliaministries.org/blog

00:16:38 Janine: It started with FSSP priests

00:16:57 jonathan: Reacted to "https://www.philokal..." with ❤️

00:17:01 Myles Davidson: Reacted to "It started with FSSP..." with 👍

00:31:17 Bob Čihák, AZ: P. 302,  D

00:55:19 Jerimy Spencer: Aloha Father, I’ve often wrestled with the idea of stewardship vs ownership as a multi-instrumentalist, I guard these gifts (and instruments) very carefully, but also feel when I can play, they belong to everyone

01:04:05 Sheila Applegate: It is interesting, because in my heart and intellectual mind, these words are truth and sensible and though challenging, make sense for people to follow. Yet following them can make me seem to others as naive and silly but I know these teachings are wise. The world does not see them the same way.

01:04:35 Sheila Applegate: I was made to feel foolish just today. :)

01:05:24 John Burmeister: I think i would have  a hard time with someone coming into my house and taking food that was for  my family or drive my car, because its a material good, like the saint, said its everyones. the evil in a lot of people today it would seem like they would just steal from me again, because there is no recourse for their actions. When they stand in front of me im just another person, not a Monk or regiolius in their eyes. easy prey.

01:05:53 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "I was made to feel f..." with ☺️

01:07:06 Nypaver Clan: Reacted to "I think i would have..." with 👍

01:09:22 Sheila Applegate: Haha

01:09:40 Myles Davidson: The lack of fear and grace shown towards a thief would impact them no matter who one was, religious or layperson. Any thief with a conscience would be unlikely to come back

01:10:25 Janine: Reacted to "I think i would have…" with 👍

01:10:40 Sheila Applegate: Reacted to I think i would have... with "👍"

01:18:41 Janine: Yes…every night!

01:18:45 iPhone (6): Please do!

01:19:16 iPhone (6): Joan still here!

01:19:58 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️

01:20:12 iPhone (6): ❤️

01:20:20 Lee Graham: Thank you!