Somewhere deep inside, Beneath my titles, My work, My relationships, My words, and If I'm being honest, My own noise ... There is a flame burning. I did not kindle it. It was given as a gift. It was fostered by saints, (and, oddly, some sinners too). I tended to it by Sacrament and Silence (not nearly enough ... yet!) And it has never once been extinguished ... Ever! This is the great, joyful secret of my life (it could be yours too, by the way). God is not far away. The ligh

The Fathers describe how demons sow evil thoughts. What's truly frightening is that someone near us Can do their bidding using a human voice. At the table, On the phone, In the pew beside us During times of sadness and dread Even moments of joy and laughter. But the absolute worst comes when we are at our weakest. Their words become our thoughts. Their sounds become our cries. Their actions lead us into temptation. They accomplish this by watching and waiting Until that very

A short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call ... grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore, it is said, 'When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men' ... And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to

Thomas Sunday brings great excitement because we have seen the true light in the Resurrection and are now awaiting the great and holy feasts of Ascension and Pentecost. In fact, today's gospel indicates to us that the apostles, disciples, and believers (even some non-believers) were gathering, waiting, and hoping (just like we do today) for all those things that Jesus promised would unfold ... and they did .... right in front of their eyes, and now, deep in our hearts. This S

These words of St. Thomas the Apostle refer, at a practical level, to the need to comfort a person and their family (Lazarus in this case) in times of sickness and death. They also refer to the need to die to ourselves every day, so that we may live and die with Christ in this life and the next. If you have a question or prayer request, please reach out here . If you can donate, please click here .

On this Sunday of St. John Climacus, we are reminded to climb the ladder of faith, hope, love, and knowledge so that we better understand what is malformed in us. We also learn how we can grow toward the Divine by dying to the self, listening for God's will, living it every day, loving others, praying, and partaking of the sacraments. If you have a question or prayer request, please reach out here . If you can donate, please click here .

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read: "At that time, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Symeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him . And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. "And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brou

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read: On 25 November, we commemorate St. Gregory the Theologian (c. 329–390) who was a dear friend to St. Basil the Great. This is what he writes in paragraph 29 of the Fifth Theological Oration (Oration 31), often called "On the Holy Spirit." " Indeed, I tremble when I think of the abundance of the titles [of the Holy Spirit] ... Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ, Mind of Christ, Spi

Today, the people of God are enlightened by the knowledge that the Feast of Theophany/Epiphany is approaching and are awakened to the need for repentance through which we are all called to the Sacrament of Confession. As an extension of this, we are reminded in these first days of the new year to ask ourselves: what have I done and what have I failed to do? Do I bow down before God? Do I acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit inside me and outside me? Have I asked for the he

St. Seraphim, You stood in the winter forest with Motovilov, and The light of the Spirit shone from your face like the sun. You spoke so simply: The whole aim of life is to acquire the Holy Spirit. Not knowledge about Him, Not rituals performed correctly, but Him The living God, dwelling within. Sadly, I wonder How often I have mistaken the means for the end? I have prayed as though prayer itself were the goal. I have fasted and felt virtuous. I have done good works and count