HOLY SILENCE

On this day, we learn of the very deep and personal relationship that Mary and Joseph got to have with Jesus. We also discover that we can have a distantly similar relationship with God through prayer, sacrament, and love. In other words, we get to be in the presence of God and communicate with Him every day! Ask: If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . If you can, please donate by clicking here .

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

Today, we hear of the magi - these kings, scholars, and spiritual seekers - who discover and bear witness to the fact that the universe changed at the birth of Jesus. Given what we, ourselves, have seen, heard, learned, and experienced, we too have to tell the world what we know to be the truth. Therefore, through prayer and sacrifice, sacrament and knowledge, each and every day of our lives we choose to serve God and one another. This is our witness. This is our joy. This is

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end, nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me

There is a sumptuous vision within the writings of many spiritual mothers and fathers which describes prayer as a genuine pathway to divine encounter and transformation (dare I write: transfiguration?). Many of them draw on Luke 11:13 — " If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Put simply, God responds to our longing, genuine prayers with love, generosity, mercy

Each week I send a short email to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit. If you have a question or a prayer request, please reach out here . Read : "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63). Ponder: In John 6:56, Jesus declared that "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." Some of the disciples, like many people today, either did not understa

Today, we are reminded that life can be beautiful and glorious because God created it. But there is a lot of suffering in it too ... emotionally, intellectually, physically, relationally, and spiritually. To help us through the suffering, God sends us people who can help us find patience and gracious love in the difficulty. He also sends us angels and saints who speak to us and show us the way to God who reminds us ... 'I am speaking to you in prayer, I am leading you in Spir

Intercede for me and pray for my spiritual sons and daughters so that we may have a stable foundation of deep prayer and a ministry of healing the afflicted. Please keep me close so that I may have strength to walk with everyone who comes for confession and spiritual guidance. Thank you for your example of humility in the face of great difficulty. An icon depicting St. Nektarios of Pentapolis.

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

Intercede for me and pray for my spiritual sons and daughters so that we may have a stable foundation of deep prayer and a ministry of healing the afflicted. An icon of Edward the Confessor written by Aidan Hart .