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The Ladder of Your Daily Life
Read more: The Ladder of Your Daily LifePerhaps the most prominent ladder in our culture is the one associated with careers. It is an image of the American road to success. We begin at or near the bottom and, step by step, make our way towards the top. It is a metaphor that works well with our modern notions of hard work, […]
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The Violence of Modernity – And A Way Out
Read more: The Violence of Modernity – And A Way OutThe calm voice at the helm says, “Make it so…” and with it, the mantra of modernity is invoked. The philosophy that governs our culture is rooted in violence, the ability to make things happen and to control the outcome. It is a deeply factual belief. We can indeed make things happen, and, in a […]
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Prayer to the Cross
Read more: Prayer to the CrossLet God arise, and let His enemies be scattered; and let those who hate Him flee from His face. As smoke vanishes, let them vanish; and as wax melts from the presence of fire, so let the demons perish from the presence of those who love God and who sign themselves with the Sign of […]
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The Abyss of Non-Being – And a Cup of Tea
Read more: The Abyss of Non-Being – And a Cup of Tea“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 “Stand on the edge of the abyss and when you feel that it is beyond your strength, break off and have a […]
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Following a Conversation with a Tree
Read more: Following a Conversation with a Tree“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which […]
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Pay Attention! See What You See!
Read more: Pay Attention! See What You See!It has been said that the whole of Orthodox theology and teaching can be found in a single, well-executed icon. I believe it to be true. Over the years, I have found that certain icons have been invaluable in efforts to teach a class of inquirers or catechumens about certain aspects of the faith. […]
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A Fast of Righteousness
Read more: A Fast of RighteousnessI am often puzzled by the things theologians say about “righteousness.” First, there are a striking number of different treatments. That alone should tell anyone that we are standing on the ground of “theory” rather than knowledge when we hear pronouncements about the word. It is, of course, an important word. “Seek first the Kingdom […]
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The Journey Towards Love
Read more: The Journey Towards LoveSt. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia treasured the following quote from the writings of St. Symeon the New Theologian. He had it printed and handed out to his visitors. We should look upon all the faithful as one person and consider that Christ is in each one of them. We should have such love for them that […]
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Forgive Everyone for Everything
Read more: Forgive Everyone for EverythingIn Dostoevsky’s great last work, The Brothers Karamazov, the story is told of Markel, brother of the Elder Zossima. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, he is dying. In those last days he came to a renewed faith in God and a truly profound understanding of forgiveness. In a conversation with his mother she wonders how he can […]
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Prayers for the Dead
Read more: Prayers for the DeadThe Orthodox pray for the departed. The most pressing prayer within the liturgies appointed for this purpose is for God to forgive their sins. We say, “For no one lives and does not sin, for You only are without sin….” This is easily misunderstood, but it goes to the very heart of the mystery of […]
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Profound as always Father. Thank you. I struggle with this notion of staying put. My monastic cell is just my…
Nathan, The habits of shame are, quite often, imposed on us in our childhood. They can be crippling. Quite often,…
Mark, the struggle is real. I have begun trying to separate the struggles from the expectations I have about the…
Nathan, Exactly! I went to Confession this past week and (of course) felt restored. And I was crabby only three…
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Pebble, I think that reminding yourself that things pass, that time heals, is useful. The silence and lack of validation…