We are often indifferent to our brethren who are distressed or upset, on the grounds that they are in this state through no fault of ours. The Doctor of souls, however, wishing to root out the soul's excuses from the heart, tells us to leave our gift and to be reconciled not only if we happen to be upset by our brother, but also if he is upset by us, whether justly or unjustly; only when we have healed the breach through our apology should we offer our gift.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for our relationships and reconciling with others, regardless of who is at fault.
In this quote, John Cassian addresses the tendency of individuals to dismiss the emotional struggles of others, particularly when they believe those struggles are not their responsibility. He emphasizes the moral duty to acknowledge and mend relationships, even if the distress of another person seems unjustified. By advising us to prioritize reconciliation and personal accountability over our own grievances, Cassian highlights the virtue of empathy and communal harmony.
In practice
In a speech about fostering community support during difficult times.
If you wish to attain to true knowledge of the Scriptures, hasten to acquire first an unshakeable humility of heart. That alone will lead you, not to the knowledge that puffs up, but to that which enlightens, by the perfecting of love.
...we must first scrutinize thoroughly anything appearing in our hearts or any saying suggested to us. Has it come purified from the divine and heavenly fire of the Holy Spirit? Or does it lean toward Jewish superstition? Is its surface piety something which has come down from bloated worldly philosophy? We must examine this most carefully, doing as the apostle bids us: 'Do not believe in every spirit, but make sure to find out if spirits are from God'.
The Doctor of our souls has placed the remedy in the hidden regions of the soul.
Many things I might not write today because I no longer believe them, but I wouldn't change them, since I believed them at the time.
There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West. Some courage and some wisdom, blended in measure. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
It's all nonsense. It's only nonsense. I'm not afraid of the rain. I am not afraid of the rain. Oh, oh, God, I wish I wasn't.
People like comfort; that's natural. But as for making money simply for the sake of making it, and giving yourself far more trouble and anxiety to gain it than you can ever get pleasure from it when it's gained, why, as for me, I'd rather sit still and cross my arms.
We adults, our policies, our ways of governance, are responsible for poverty, not the children.
The road must eventually lead to the whole world.
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