Fr. Spyridon Bailey on humility as foundation of virtues and peacemaking
Fr. Spyridon Bailey explains that Jesus begins the Beatitudes with "blessed are the poor," establishing humility as the foundation of all virtues. He notes that both Satan and Adam fell through pride, while Jesus raises humanity up through humility. To acquire this humility, each person must build into their life a time of separation for prayer and time alone with God, because true change cannot happen without time with God.
Fr. Spyridon also addresses the beatitude "blessed are the peacemakers," clarifying that it refers not simply to those at peace within themselves but to those who bring peace to others and to the world. He calls listeners to examine the effects they have on other people, asking whether those who encounter them leave angry and agitated or with peace.
Key moments
- Jesus begins the Beatitudes with "blessed are the poor," establishing humility as the foundation of all virtues.
- Both Satan and Adam fell through pride, and Jesus raises us up through humility.
- Everyone must build into their lives a time of separation for prayer and time alone with God to acquire humility.
- We cannot truly change unless we have time with God.
- Jesus says "blessed are the peacemakers", not those at peace within themselves, but those who bring peace to others and the world.
- This is a calling to examine the effects we have on other people.
- We must look at our lives closely and ask how we are affecting other people.
- When people encounter us, we must ask whether they leave angry and agitated or with peace.