HOLY SILENCE

"Whether we believe or not, we belong to God. Whether we understand it or not, or feel His presence or not, or rejoice in that presence or not, He exists. "He is my God. He is my Lord. Even during moments of darkness and terror, when God doesn’t exist for me, He still exists. "When I feel I’m a failure, when all my efforts seem fruitless, when my life seems to have passed in vain, Christ is still my Christ. "He is there for me no matter what happens. He exists irrespective of

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read : There are varying translations of Exodus 14:14, but two of them, importantly, are rendered like this: (1) "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still ." (2) "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent ." Ponder: The first revelation in this verse may come as a surprise to you. The Lord fights for you . That is a vital reason for the Incarna

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read: "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:1). Ponder: As we fast approach Great Lent, Holy Week, and Pascha, it may seem odd to be told to start thinking about Pentecost. But it makes perfect sense. First, it is important

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

For 33 years, Christ walked upon this earth All the way up to Golgotha Beaten, broken, and bloodied High atop a cross. For 33 months, Someone I know has been carrying a cross Down a treacherous path they did not choose. It's been a slow crucifixion made with the kinds of Nails and thorns you don't expect from familiar hands. But evil won't get its way in the end. After 33 years, Christ's tomb did not have the final word. In a similar way I ask and I implore ... That during th

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. Read: O Lord, on the holy day of Theophany (6 Jan), we stand in wonder at the banks of the Jordan, gazing upon the mystery of Your baptism. You who are without sin entered the waters, not to be cleansed, but to cleanse all creation. You who spoke the world into being, humbled Yourself beneath the hand of John, sanctifying the very waters that once covered the formless deep. And then

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

St. Basil the Great, You stood in a time of confusion, When the Spirit's glory was questioned, His Divinity doubted. Careful, wise, and rooted in prayer, You gave the Church words to hold onto. You taught that the Holy Spirit is Not a creature, Not a servant, Not a gift somehow separate from the Trinity. You demonstrated that the Spirit is Equal to the Father and the Son. Worthy of the same honor Worthy of the same worship Worthy of the same love. In this way, Today and every

When the apostles witnessed Your death, They scattered in fear, with their hopes shattered. For days they huddled behind locked doors, Paralyzed by grief and confusion. So too we often find ourselves in such dark rooms— Suffering, uncertain, waiting for a Deliverance we cannot imagine. Yet You did not abandon them. You appeared, breathed peace upon them, and at Pentecost sent Your Holy Spirit to Transfigure these trembling disciples into bold witnesses. Teach us patience in o