Lent 2026

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.” - Luke 9:62 “Always be a stranger to the world.” Abba Arsenius

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.” - Mark 8:35 “Die before you die, and you will live.” Abba Anthony

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” - Matthew 16:24 “The cross is patience.” Abba Moses

“He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.” - Luke 12:15 “He who loves possessions cannot possess God.” Abba Isaac

“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - Matthew 6:19-21 “Sell what you have within you.” Abba John the Dwarf

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.” - Luke 23:34 “Blessed is the monk who sees everyone as good.” - Abba Silvanus

“But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you” - Matthew 5:44 “The sign of true love is praying for one’s enemies.” - Abba Ammonas

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” - Luke 7:47 “Love casts out fear.” - Abba Anthony

“When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Mark 2:17 “When you fall, rise quickly.” - Abba Moses

“Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.” - Matthew 18:21-22 “Forgiveness is greater than fasting.” - Abba Poemen

“Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.” - Luke 6:36 “Be a place of refuge for all who suffer.” - Abba Isaac the Syrian

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” - Matthew 5:7 “The one who shows mercy becomes like God.” - Abba Zosimas

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” - Matthew 11:29 “Where there is humility, there is rest.” - Abba Silvanus

“Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41–42 “Flee, be silent, pray always.” - Abba Arsenius

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” - Matthew 5:27–28 “Guard your heart, for it is the source of life.” - Abba Isaiah

“He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.” -Mark 7:20–23 “Withdraw from what feeds the passions, and they will weaken.” - Abba Moses

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” - Matthew 6:22–23 “Where there is simplicity, there is no fear.” - Abba Anthony

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks. - Luke 6:45 “A pure heart is a heart that sees God everywhere.” - Abba Poemen

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” - Matthew 5:8 “If you are a theologian, you will pray truly; if you pray truly, you are a theologian.” - Abba Evagrius

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 7:21 “Do not measure your progress by words but by deeds.” - Abba John the Dwarf