HOLY SILENCE

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

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

It is important to remember that, ultimately, we do not get to follow our own timelines or the timelines of others. Instead, we are called to listen to God, to discern what it is that we are called to do, and to wait for the appointed time for our calling to take root in our lives and in the world. Always remember that God is with you. And He will give you the peace, the place, the strength, and the timing to do what needs to be done. If you have a question or a prayer reques

God reveals Himself to us in a deeply personal way. He comes to us in love and invites us to love Him in return, to call upon Him, and to learn how to truly love ourselves and others. In other words, we are called to accept the divine invitation ... to spend our days praying for the wisdom to know His will ... to live it freely ... to joyfully help others encounter the Holy Spirit who is with us each and every day ... to seek eternity. If you have a question or a prayer reque

Each week I send a short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "By the Holy Spirit all creation is renewed and thus returns to its first state" (Matins, Antiphon 2, 7 Dec 25). Ponder : How much do you reflect on the past and present? Do you wish things were different? Does that make you feel regret? How often? Daily? Weekly? Think about it. If you are like most people, y

We tend to take for granted that we are a people called to the heavenly kingdom by God through His love, mercy, joy, and desire for our salvation. Thus, we are reminded today to have faith in the Holy Trinity, to believe in Christ, and to seek the Holy Spirit. And this is how we live like we mean it: pray intimately with God every day in order to know His will, and to love and sacrifice for Him (and His people) with all our mind, all our heart, all our soul, and with every la

The greatness of prayer lies in its Essence as divine presence and Divine glorification. The greatness of prayer is Defined by God's limitless love and Willingness to be present in and near us. The greatness of prayer transcends our unworthiness: Through Christ's redemptive work and the Spirit's sanctifying work. The greatness of prayer is a transfiguring act, if We have a deep desire for God's presence, and when We have a real desire to be present with Him. The greatness of

We talk a lot about praying, but why do we do it? Prayer Brings Us Close to the Holy Spirit "Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance, suppresses anger, restrains pride and envy, draws down the Holy Spirit into the soul and raises man to heaven" (St Ephraim the Syrian, in Moore, Orthodox Prayer , p. 22). Prayer Keeps Us Steady "Hold on to the staff of prayer and you will not fall. And even a fall will not be fatal, since prayer is a devout, persistent coercin

Today, we are reminded that it is not enough to follow all the prudential rules of the church (e.g. fasting). Rather, it is vital to train the entirety of the human person - body, mind, soul, and spirit - to focus entirely on God who creates, redeems, and sanctifies. Thus, it is incumbent upon each of us to follow the eternal Logos, Christ, the Word made flesh, who leads us to salvation. And to listen, to obey, and to be forever changed by the Holy Spirit who leads us into sa

I live at the end of the road Literally. I live at the far end of an island Where the land gives way to water And that water stretches far and wide. First through a gulf Then to a sea Onward into an ocean. Every day I watch that water Lap at the sand, Break onto the rocks, and Rush over my feet I think a lot about where those waters come from And where they're going. They make me think of my own origins, My comings, my goings, and my destiny too. In that ebb and flow I hear a