Thoughts on John 13:1-20

Today, we as a church family are reading the first half of the Gospel according to John the Theologian. (If you are not there yet, don't worry — the main thing is to keep reading!) This selection tells of two things: Jesus' washing of His disciples feet and His knowledge of Judas' betrayal. The Church,… Continue reading Thoughts on John 13:1-20

How much do you believe in the resurrection? The Holy Seven Maccabees, Solomonia, and Eliazar

How much do you believe in the resurrection? The Holy Seven Maccabees, Solomonia, and Eliazar Commemorated Aug 1       The Holy Macabbees martyrs, Habim, Antonin, Guriah, Eleazar, Eusebon, Hadim (Halim) and Marcellus, their mother Solomonia and their teacher Eleazar     The words of a virtuous woman and true mother to her sons:… Continue reading How much do you believe in the resurrection? The Holy Seven Maccabees, Solomonia, and Eliazar

“According to your faith be it unto you.” The two blind men teach us how to increase our faith. Matthew 9:27-35

Before Jesus healed the two blind men who had cried out to him MANY times (with the rudiments of the Jesus prayer), He said to them: “According to your faith be it unto you”. Remember, since we read the scripture in order to be taught something about ourselves, we MUST apply this saying to ourselves – does it fit us? If we find ourselves to be lacking in faith, or perhaps the fruit of faith – results in things that matter in our lives, then we must find a way to increase our faith. It is reasonable to ask the Lord for this, since the apostles themselves also asked him to increase their faith. Jesus commended several people concerning their faith – including the centurion Syrophenician woman of Canaan, and the woman “who was a sinner”. Each adds to the picture of how we can increase our faith. We look at the example of the two blind men, with humility, recognizing that we have weak faith and need to learn from their example.

The entire Trinity participated in the act of creation – it is right there in the bible! Psalm 32:6

By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established, and all the might of them by the Spirit of His mouth, Who gathereth together as into a wineskin the waters of the sea, Who layeth up the abysses in storehouses. (Psalm 32:6, Boston SeptTranslation)

Some translations have “breath of His mouth” – the Holy spirit is also known as “breath” or wind.

This is a Trinitarian reference. There are many more in the Scripture. The Father, Son (Word) and Spirit (breath) are seen to be creating. since creation is an act of will, and God, being one in essence, has one will, all persons of God were equally involved in creation.

The “take home” about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. From Mark the Ascetic.

There is lots of complicated “stuff” regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit, and His being sent. The take home is pretty easy, no matter how difficult the theology is. He came to us and abides in us for our illumination and perfection. We cannot use reason to understand Him or the energies of the Holy Trinity, and God’s relationship with Himself, but we can accept His enlightenment in one way only, as St Mark the Ascetic teaches:

“(The Holy Spirit) … gives to each person what is needful..

I will bless the Lord at all times, Psalm 33, sung at the end of Vespers

Psalm 33, as sung by our choir at the end of Vespers in the vigil service. Our choir, as usual, sounds prayerful and melodic. The “recording engineer” regrets messing with the unit suring the recording (it was just after our between services homily at vigil), and we were getting ready for matins), but you will definately get the idea.

Bright Week Do’s and Dont’s, Holy Week/ Pascha pictures and video

Some Bright week “Do’s and Don’ts” that are very important to keep the Paschal joys all week. Here are a few: Do eat a steak and any food you want, every day of the week, and do not eat any tofu, but do not eat too much. Do Read the Gospel of John and the Acts, but do not read the Psalms (I explain why). Do plan on communing on Thomas Sunday, the most important Sunday of the year! Do day the Paschal hours instead of your usual prayers, and do not go back to the world too soon. Towards the end, some heartfelt thank you’s for all those who helped with flowers, cleanup, preparation and our choir, which was other-worldly beautiful on Pascha night.. Also many photos and a short video.