If we are saved by grace, through faith (Eph 2:8), why is an effort of our will required? Our works do not save us, but we cannot be saved without works. This is a paradox to many, who feel the need to deny the truth of one statement or the other. A full understanding of… Continue reading St. Maximos the Confessor, Chapters on Love
Murphy’s law and molebens. Logismoi. How to think about personal intercessory prayer.
We all know about “Murphy’s Law” – “If anything can go wrong, it will”. It has many corollaries, and is sometimes funny in context. But it is not funny when applied to real life – and by this I mean our inner life, in which we gain our salvation.
There is an “occupational hazard” in the pastoral life, which, I believe afflicts all but the truly humble and perfected. It consists of “Murphy’s law type of thinking – “logismoi” – negative thoughts.
I have these thoughts, and they are like mosquitoes – very hard to get rid of – and the best way to deal with them is to ignore them and just keep doing the right thing….
As many have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. An explanation by Saint Gregory Palamas
Water is a means of cleaning, but not for souls. It can remove dirt from those being baptized, but not the grime which comes from sin. For that reason, the Healer of souls, the Father of Spirits (Heb 12:9), Christ, Who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), enters into the water before us to be baptized …
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. – The key to progress in life. Audio homily 36th Sunday after Pentecost, 2011
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” This extreme statement by the Apostle Paul must define the way we live our life, and is the key to making any progress in virtue. It is a &mindset” that permiates Orthodox Christian life and prayers, but is not well understood. Let us look at how in our daily lives we can make this saying “worthy of all acceptation”. Many examples from the scriptures will help us, such as the publican, the woman who annointed the Lord’s feet, and the Apostle Peter.
“Lord, have mercy!”
The text below is a wonderful homily by Fr. David Moser explaining, on the basis of today's scripture readings, why "Lord, have mercy!" is the essential Christian prayer. Source: http://stseraphimboise.org/homily.html 1 Timothy 1:15-17 Luke 18:35-43 “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief … for this reason I obtained… Continue reading “Lord, have mercy!”
Sanctity Of Life Sunday. Christians Must Not Accept Abortion And Sexual Immorality Being Redefined
LISTEN NOW Synopsis: A short talk on sanctity of life Sunday, after a moleben. If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser: http://www.orthodox.net/catechism/orthopraxis_2011-01-23+sanctity-of-life-sunday+christians-must-not-accept-abortion-and-sexual-immorality-being-redefined.m3u If this file does not work for you, try the direct link to the actual mp3 file:http://www.orthodox.net/catechism/orthopraxis_2011-01-23+sanctity-of-life-sunday+christians-must-not-accept-abortion-and-sexual-immorality-being-redefined.mp3 Archive of Audio catechetical talks:http://www.orthodox.net/catechism RSS feed of… Continue reading Sanctity Of Life Sunday. Christians Must Not Accept Abortion And Sexual Immorality Being Redefined
Theophany 2011 – The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
LISTEN NOW Synopsis: Explanation of the reason for the Lord's baptism, including the prophesies about the visible changes in the Jordan when the Lord was baptised. 14 homilies on the Theophany are HERE If the "LISTEN NOW" link does not work, copy this URL into your browser: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/feasts-of-the-savior-theophany-03_2011-01-19+the-grace-of-god-that-bringeth-salvation-hath-appeared-to-all-men.m3u If this file does not work for… Continue reading Theophany 2011 – The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men
The Measure Of The Gift Of Christ. Ephesians 4:7-13. Sunday after Theophany.
Exegesis of the epistle read for the Sunday after Theophany, Ephesians 4:7-13. Why is this epistle read? What is “the measure of the gift of Christ.” “He led captivity captive” describes what Christ’s death and resurrection did for us, and is a way of understanding the effects of sin.
Theophany from a child’s eyes.
A wonderful children’s drawing of Theophany.
Theophany. Why was Christ baptized? Concerning Holy Water.
Today we celebrate a day that is called by many names: the Baptism of our Lord, Theophany, and it is also called Illumining. … (a homily about Theophany, why Christ was baptized, and holy water)