-
Another Look at the Passions
Read more: Another Look at the PassionsI have recently been reading Fr. John Chryssavgis’ In the Heart of the Desert, an excellent introduction to the teachings and spiritual practices of the desert monastics. His comments are interwoven with sayings from the Desert Fathers (and Mothers). I share here some of his work on the passions, very apropos of our conversations here […]
-
The Truth as it is in Christ
Read more: The Truth as it is in ChristIn the Gospel record of Christ’s trial before Pontius Pilate, we are told that Christ said He had come to bear witness to the Truth. Pilate, in what he must have thought was a clever response, says, “And what is Truth?” We know from elsewhere in the Gospel that Christ explained, “I am the Way, […]
-
Everywhere Present
Read more: Everywhere PresentEverything you do, all your work, can contribute towards your salvation. It depends on you, on the way you do it. History is replete with monks who became great saints while working in the kitchen or washing sheets. The way of salvation consists in working without passion, in prayer…. May God give you the strength […]
-
You Are Not a TV Show
Read more: You Are Not a TV ShowThe modern world, with the advent of technologies such as the internet and other instantaneous forms of digital creation, has created what is easily described as a virtual world. In digital comprehension, a virtual world is not a real world, but increasingly feels like one and, to some extent, can be experienced like one. Doubtless, […]
-
The Mystery of Goodness
Read more: The Mystery of GoodnessBeloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God (3John 1:11). One of the most common affirmations in Orthodox services is the goodness of God. Many services conclude with the blessing: “For He is a good […]
-
The Sacrament of the Present Moment
Read more: The Sacrament of the Present MomentThere is a wonderful translation of Jean-Pierre De Caussade’s Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence, which bears the same title as this post. I am borrowing the phrase, not to comment on the volume (though I highly recommend it), but to bring into focus something of at least equal importance. It is the reality of our moment by moment […]
-
Giving Thanks as a Way of Life
Read more: Giving Thanks as a Way of LifeThe act of giving thanks is among the most fundamental acts of love. It lies at the very heart of worship – in which, in the words of Archimandrite Zacharias of Essex, there is an exchange. In giving thanks we make an offering which itself is always inferior to what we have received – but which […]
-
Mind and Heart
Read more: Mind and HeartI write frequently about what I term the Religion of the Heart. Archimandrite Meletios Webber has a short piece on what can be called the Religion of the Mind. The distinction between mind and heart is not a distinction between thought and feeling. Rather it is a distinction between the mind (seat of thoughts and feelings) […]
-
To Guard the Heart
Read more: To Guard the HeartI often think about the admonition of the fathers to “guard your heart.” It seems so obvious to me that the disposition of my heart has everything to do with how I will perceive and react to everything around me. An anxious heart perceives everything as a threat – a disaster or vexation in the […]
-
Envy and the Fullness of God
Read more: Envy and the Fullness of GodIn the Praises for Matins of Holy Wednesday, we read: Oh, the wretchedness of Judas! He saw the harlot kiss the footsteps of Christ, but deceitfully he contemplated the kiss of betrayal. She loosed her hair while he bound himself with wrath. He offered the stench of wickedness instead of myrrh, for envy cannot distinguish value. Oh, […]
Subscribe to blog via email
Support the work
Your generous support for Glory to God for All Things will help maintain and expand the work of Fr. Stephen. This ministry continues to grow and your help is important. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!
Latest Comments
Yes, Fr. Stephen, thank you for this, I’ll keep this response close to me as a reminder of what my…
Father, I wanted to tell you I have been praying that prayer each night. I am very grateful that Mary…
Mallory, It’s often the case in the various New Age schemes (like “manifesting”) that there is an unnamed Something behind…
Thank you, Fr. Stephen. The mystical nature of time that you’re describing, the healing effect of our actions both backwards…
Read my books
Listen to my podcast
Please Read
Categories
Archives
Mallory, Indeed…”what my heart truly wants.”