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The Emptiness of Christ
Read more: The Emptiness of ChristSt. Paul speaks of Christ “emptying” Himself in His voluntary sacrifice for us all (Philippians 2:5-11). It is the only place in the New Testament that speaks of this particular action of Christ – at least as an “emptying” (kenosis) but the concept has always played a large role in the Church’s understanding of Christ’s […]
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“The Systematic Organization of Hatreds”
Read more: “The Systematic Organization of Hatreds”I normally do not comment on politics and do not plan to have discussions during this political season. However, I ran across a quote that makes a great deal of sense and certainly has bearing on the spiritual life. It is from Henry Adams’ novel Democracy: Politics, as a practice, whatever its professions, has always […]
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For Want of a Nail
Read more: For Want of a NailAbba Zosimas would pick up small objects such as a nail, a short thread, and other valueless castoffs. He would ask, “Would you fight or argue over this? That would be insanity. Anyone who is making progress in God can think of the entire world as this nail, no matter how much of the world […]
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St. Silouan on Humility
Read more: St. Silouan on HumilityThe Staretz [St. Silouan] used to say that there was no end to the pretensions of pride. In his notes I found [this is written by Elder Sophrony] the following fable: A certain huntsman liked stalking the woods and fields for game. One day after he had been climbing up a steep hill for hours […]
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Concentration in Prayer
Read more: Concentration in PrayerBrother John Kilmakos said, “When you pray, forget how you may appear to others. Concentrate entirely on your prayer, withdrawing into your heart. Demons fear spiritual concentration more than thieves fear dogs.”
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A Single Moment and Paradise
Read more: A Single Moment and ParadiseDuring Holy Week, one of my favorite hymns in the Church is the Wise Thief (the Exapostelarion of Holy Friday). It recalls the thief, crucified on Christ’s right hand, who repents and finds paradise “in a single moment.” It demonstrates the fullness of God’s love who would take the repentance of a single moment and […]
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I Don’t Know Anything About That
Read more: I Don’t Know Anything About ThatA Hermit advised, “If someone speaks to you about a controversy, do not argue with him. If what he says makes sense, say, ‘Yes.’ If his comments are misguided, say, ‘I don’t know anything about that.’ If you refuse to dispute with his ideas, your mind will be at peace. For years I knew a […]
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St. Nikolai Velimirovich – Prayers By the Lake
Read more: St. Nikolai Velimirovich – Prayers By the LakeThis video contains text from Prayers by the Lake by St. Nikolai of Zicha, a contemporary Serbian saint. May God grant our hearts to hear them.
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The Unexplored Landscape
Read more: The Unexplored LandscapeLike the Kingdom of God itself, the landscape of the human heart (considered spiritually) remains largely unchartered territory and beyond the easy access of most people. Our culture uses the language of “heart” quite easily, but means by it something emotional, something psychological and not at all in the sense it is used in either […]
Thank you so much Dee, Fr. Stephen and Michael.