HOLY SILENCE

No matter how scared, worried, weak, lost, sinful, or unworthy you feel - the angels will strengthen you in your prayer; just like they did for Jesus on the Mount of Olives. "Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him" (Luke 22:43). Trust. Heaven will help. #Angels #JesusChrist #prayer #VocalPrayer #MeditativePrayer #StLuketheEvangelist #SacredScripture #Sin #Sinner #Heaven #Trust #Fear

When God came as a man, He reminded us that we were created to be both human and divine. Christ showed our forefathers and mothers how to work, love, intercede and pray as He did. They repeated what they heard and wrote what they saw. They handed down to us a great understanding of what it means to live in the image and likeness of God. But He didn't stop with them; for He never stops calling us to be close to Him (cf. John 13:23). Each day of every year in all places, God in

"Heavenly King" is a vocal prayer addressed specifically to the Holy Spirit. Not only does it affirm that the Third Person of the Most Holy Trinity exists, is divine, and lives among us now in no less a way than Jesus was for the Apostles; but also it explains His constant presence as our "comforter" who is also referred to as our "advocate" in John 14:16. This simple prayer is also an invitation for the Holy Spirit to make an abode within us; a plea to remove from us the con

You are with us now and always, and constantly show us the path to Heaven. Help us not be afraid! Remind us that in our creation is the hope-filled promise we can spend eternity with you! Lead us away from the fetters of the world. Teach us to ascend interiorly toward the eternal contemplation of your Being and Personhood. As it says in the kontakion (hymn) from the Feast of the Ascension: "When You did fulfill the dispensation for our sake, and unite earth to Heaven: You did

"The first step is that of purest prayer. From this there comes a warmth of heart, And then a strange, a holy energy, Then tears wrung from the heart, God-given. Then peace from thoughts of every kind. "From this arises purging of the intellect, And next the vision of heavenly mysteries. Unheard-of light is born from this ineffably, And thence, beyond all telling, the heart's illumination. Last comes – a step that has no limit Though compassed in a single line – Perfection th

In our modern age, it is quite fashionable to interpret Christ, the sacraments and every bit of prayer through our individual socio-political and linguistic filters. While our personal experiences are certainly known and understood by the ever-living God, far too often these cultural realities reinforce our self-absorption and therefore, our delusions about who and what we are before God, ourselves and others. Thus, what is needed is a deep, serious and completely honest exam

Look deep down. You will see the gift God gave you. Recognize it. Use it. Live it. Follow it to heaven. #Discernment #God #continualprayer #Heaven #luminousdarkness

The approaching holidays can be an excellent opportunity to sit down, take stock, think about the good things that have occurred during the past year, and give thanks to God and each other. Unfortunately, too much of our energy is spent running errands and worrying about everything we haven't accomplished. In order to do things differently this year, find times to rest, relax, breathe, slow down, and prioritize for emotional and spiritual health. Give yourself over to the sil

We dress for occasions. Job interviews, business meetings, dinner parties, birthdays, proms, clubbing, golf, barbequing, exercising; if you can name an activity, we can pick out clothes or costumes to fit the occasion. Halloween is no different from these activities; it's just the most obvious. Every October 31, culture warriors debate whether or not children and/or adults should dress up as vampires, mummies, celebrities, politicians, fairies, sports figures, super heroes, a

“The Holy Church sails along the waves of the sea of life for the entirety of its existence — for the centuries, millennia that it will endure. While it belongs to the world by virtue of its existence in the world, it does not belong to it in spirit; as the Lord said to the Church through its Apostles: ‘You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world [John 15:19]. According to your bodies and needs, you belong to the world. But according to your spirit, you are for