Entering a state of stillness before the Lord It is in keeping constant vigilance, guarding our senses, and living a life of repentance and self-reproach, that we can hope to gain control of our passions and enter into true communion with God. The basic element of such a life has
The opposite of anger is not permissiveness In my essay on Anger, I suggested the best way to respond to another person’s anger was not to withdraw, but to move towards them with kindness. This is such an important issue, that I now want to expand on the topic. There
And the grace that flows forth from the Fountain of Life Some years ago, while flying back to Seattle from Washington, D.C., I sat next to a young marine, who, as we were landing, asked if I would permit him to accompany me to my shuttle, as he “had a
Bishops and priests must boldly stand against the powers of darkness We’ve become a nation that has placed Halloween as the second most popular national holiday, after Christmas, and where Friday is now more important than Sunday. Is it any wonder we’ve become a country that no longer looks to
The necessary component to being a Christian The center of the Church’s Eucharistic liturgy is to be found in the descent, the appearance, the divine presence of the resurrected Christ, and is central to every moment of the liturgy. As believers, the partaking of Communion is actually that moment when
Looking at life as a whole Gratitude is an affirmation of goodness, for in our being grateful we affirm that there are good things in the world, and good people that are part of our lives. Our being grateful does not mean that everything in life is perfect, but it
Seeking out the hospital of the soul Orthodoxy offers a very precise way in which to enter into communion with God. It is a way that must be learned, for simply “becoming Orthodox” will not lead the seeker into an inner life that will transform, and enlighten. Membership in the
“Let him who thirsts, come to Me, and drink” The path of purification, illumination and theosis is to be found within the Orthodox Church, so it is therefore imperative that we boldly express our faith to the whole of the world. If we truly be authentic we will put aside
Where communion with God is restored At the Mystical Supper in the Upper Room Jesus gave a dramatically new meaning to the food and drink of the sacred meal. He identified Himself with the bread and wine: “Take, eat; this is my Body. Drink of it all of you; for
What we put into our minds does make a difference We have become a nation obsessed with violence, and our entertainment proves it. Movies portraying extremes in violence make huge sums of money for producers, studios and actors, while polluting the minds of millions of people with sick images of