“…purifying himself as much as he can, [the humble man] struggles to make room in himself for the Beloved for whom he longs. And the Beloved for whom he longs, finding room for Himself in this man, takes up His abode there…Dwelling there, He protects His home, and fills it with light. And the person [...]
Archive for November, 2009
St. Peter of Damascus – Making Room for God
Posted in St. Peter of Damascus on November 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Good News? (John 7)
Posted in Gospel of John on November 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
His [Jesus'] brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers [...]
Answered Prayer
Posted in Prayer on November 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I’m not sure if its just because I am a bad Christian, or because I am merely human, but answered prayer always strikes me funny. It makes me think, “That is an answer to my prayers. But, it so minor, perhaps its just as coincidence?” I don’t know why I think this, [...]
Singing the Psalms like someone else
Posted in ascesis on November 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Reading the Psalms is a spiritual surgical tool. I constantly find myself unable to say the prayers as my own, and praying for my own destruction as I go. It is very hard for me to validly consider myself on God’s side of the Spiritual battle as the Psalms make abundantly clear that I am [...]
Venerable Nilus the Myrrhgusher of Mt Athos
Posted in St. Nilus on November 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Commemorated on November 12
Saint Nilus the Myrrh-Gusher of Mt Athos was born in Greece, in a village named for St Peter, in the Zakoneia diocese. He was raised by his uncle, the hieromonk Macarius. Having attained the age of maturity, he received monastic tonsure and was found worthy of ordination to hierodeacon, and then to [...]
What Makes Trials Profitable? – St. Peter of Damascus
Posted in St. Peter of Damascus on November 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
“Every tribulation that we accept patiently is good and profitable; but if we do not accept it patiently, it drives us away from God and serves no useful purpose.”
The Threat of Beauty – Relections on Psalm 80
Posted in Uncategorized on November 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
But My people heard not My voice, and Israel gave no heed unto Me. And I let them go according to the ways of their hearts; they shall walk in their own ways. If My people had heard of Me, if Israel had walked in My ways, Quickly would I have humbled their enemies, and [...]
On Living in God – Father Stephen Freeman
Posted in Theosis on November 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Thus God came into our world, becoming one of us, so that by His sharing in our life, we might have a share in His life. In Holy Baptism we are united to Him, and everything else He gives us in the Life of His Church, is for the purpose of strengthening, nurturing, and renewing [...]
St. Peter of Damascus on Patience and Humility
Posted in Humility, Patience, St. Peter of Damascus on November 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
“The signs that a person has patience and humility are tears, contrition of soul before God, flight into stillness and patient recourse to God, a diligent enquiry into the Scriptures and a desire, based on faith, to accomplish God’s purpose. When, on the other hand, a person lacks patience and humility, the signs of this [...]
The Hiding God
Posted in Journal on November 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Today has been an eventful day. We had a hierarchical liturgy, before which some good friends of mine were chrismated, and during which our sub-deacon was ordained a deacon. There is so much on my mind today that I can hardly keep my mind focused on one subject about which I want to write. But [...]
