Category Archives: General Spirituality

By Saint Gregory The Wonder Worker.

She wrapped in swaddling-clothes Him who is covered with light as with a garment. She wrapped in swaddling-clothes Him who made every creature. She laid in a manger Him who sits above the cherubim, and is praised by myriads of angels. In the manger set apart for dumb brutes did the Logos of God repose, in order that He might impart to men, who are really irrational by free choice, the perceptions of true reason.

In the board from which cattle eat was laid the heavenly Bread, in order that He might provide participation in spiritual nourishment for men who live like the beasts of the earth. Nor was there even room for Him in the inn. He found no place, Who by His word established heaven and earth; Read the rest of this entry »

Recently I was on a Sunday school visitation and one of the children we were visiting asked a very interesting question, “Can we see God?”

The answer to this question is not straight forward as it appears, was the child talking about the Triune God, or was he talking about the Father, Christ or the Holy Spirit.

In our discussions one of the servants brought up a very interesting and relevant incident found in Exodus chapter 33.

When Moses was on the mountain he asks to see the Glory of God (Vs. 18). The Lord responds to Moses with the following,

       “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” (Exo 33:21-23) Read the rest of this entry »

The woman who broke the alabaster flask and poured the ointment over Jesus’s head in Luke 7:37-50, gives us an excellent look at faith and repentance at work in the midst of weeping. The word “weeping” used in verse 38 means “sobbing and wailing aloud”.

Mark’s account (Mark 14:3-9) describes the process of brokenness to be like “an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious . . . and she brake the box, and poured it on his head” (Mark 14:3). There are some wonderful metaphors in Mark 14:3.

First, the breaking of the alabaster flask was an outward symbol of the divine work God was about to do in her own heart. The box is a type of pure heart surrendering to God in brokenness. Thayer’s Greek lexicon says Read the rest of this entry »

Fr Matthew The Poor

To believe in Christ’s words and deeds is easy, for it only involves believing in our hearts and confessing with our tongues. But the test of the truth of our faith is by our deeds and behavior.

After faith comes the “narrow gate” and the hard way, which everyone who has believed in Christ must go through. The narrow gate is the critical point at which one cross from the wide way, which leads to destruction, to the hard way, which leads to life.

It is where the heart and conscience are examined in the light of the cross. The worse enemies hidden within a believer are hatred, feuding, anger, judgment (including judging others without judging oneself,) defaming others, and trying to remove the speck out of their eyes while ignoring the log fixed in the pupil of one’s own eye (Matthew 7:3.)

Unfortunately, there are those who find these sins insignificant and are oblivious to them. They are unaware that these sins have become part of their nature. They practice them shamelessly as if scripture and the day of judgment did not exist–as if there were no narrow gate in front of them. Faith to them will be of no use, because those who behave in such a way have trampled on love, despising and abusing it. Love is God. It is the testimony to the true faith and its effectiveness. Read the rest of this entry »

St Innocent of Alaska

“Finally let us say why we cannot possibly avoid the narrow way into the Kingdom of Heaven.

a) Because in every man there is sin, and sin is a wound that does not heal by itself, without medicines; and in the case of some people this wound is so deep and dangerous that it can be healed only by cauterization and amputation.  That is why no one can be cleansed of his sins without spiritual sufferings.

b) Sin is the most horrible impurity and abomination in the eyes of God; but nothing abominable, vile, and unclean can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Wherever you put a person suffering from an internal disease or oppressed with cruel sorrow, he will suffer, even if he is put in the most magnificent palace; that is because his disease and sorrow are always and everywhere with him and in him.  Read the rest of this entry »

By Bishoy Marcus

Have you ever felt that the world is against you and that you are the only one rallying for a cause? If yes then this post is for you.

The first distinction we need to make is what is your cause?

Is your cause like that of St Athanasius the Great who at the age of 20 rallied against the world defending the faith against heretics to the extent that he his followers wrote saying “the world is against you Athanasius” to which he famously replied “And I am against the world”. Or is your cause more temporal and earthly.

This distinction is vital in determining your course of action. Is your cause backed up by the fathers and teachings of the church, or is your cause just based on feelings and emotions or simply personal desire? Read the rest of this entry »

When the disciples had gathered on   the new Passover (Pascha), the Lord’s Day or Resurrection Day, Jesus entered the   room where they were – “the doors being shut…for fear of the Jews” – stood in   the midst of them and showed them His hands and side. Christ then greeted them   with that salutation, retained by the Church through the ages, with which the   priest greets the faithful at each of the important parts of the Divine Liturgy   and other services: “Peace be unto you.” Twice our Lord delivers this message of   peace to His disciples that “first day of the week.” We are reminded in this of   the Savior’s words before the Crucifixion: “My peace I leave with you, my peace   I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” and “these things I   have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.” (John 14:27; 16:33) The   Resurrection, of which the beloved disciples were witnesses, was the   confirmation of Christ’s entire life of prophecy and sacrifice. It was a   reassurance that the peace He had come to give the world was not vain or   imagined. Nor was it peace on strictly a human level, for example the absence of war or strife among men. Rather this peace was the presence of the Prince of Peace in the midst of human existence. It was   the long awaited reconciliation between God and man, and in God a profound   “union of all men” as children of the Most High, a peace that the world is   unable to provide or understand. Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. James L. Wilson

Back in the 1880′s Nietzsche declared that “God is dead,” and before the turn of the Twentieth Century, Shaw and Wells chimed in saying the 20th Century would mark the end of the world’s “religious phase.” Yet, today a church now meets in Russia’s Museum of Religion and Atheism-the former center of atheism. Nearly half of the United States’ population attend Worship on a regular basis while revival is sweeping through Latin America and

Christianity grows behind China’s iron curtain. Nietzsche, Shaw and Wells have long since decayed in their graves, and God continues to live! That’s the message of Easter. He is risen. He is risen, indeed! Muhammad died, and was buried. Read the rest of this entry »

On the Resurrection Key verses: 1 Peter 4:12-13

As we celebrate the commemoration of the glorious feast of our Lord’s Resurrection on Sunday, we must never lose sight of the fact that as victorious as this resurrection is, it would never have come about without the apparent defeat of the cross.

In looking at the first epistle of Saint Peter throughout these devotionals, I could not help paying particular attention to his message in verses 12 and 13 of chapter 4: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” This is the true essence of the Christian joy.

Christianity carries within itself, its message and its life a strange paradox. Read the rest of this entry »

Today in Pascha we see the disciples amazement at the withered tree which Jesus Cursed.

Was it not unreasonable to curse the tree for being fruitless when, as St Mark expressly says, “it was not the season for figs”?

Was Jesus Cruel in cursing something that didnt fruit at the right time?

This doesn’ pose much of an issue if we understand the natural cycle of a fig tree.

Toward the end of March the leaves begin to appear, and in about a week the foliage coating is complete. Coincident with [this], and sometimes even before, there appears quite a crop of small knobs, not the real figs, but a kind of early forerunner. They grown to the size of green almonds, in which condition they are eaten by peasants and others when hungry. Read the rest of this entry »

HH Pope Shenouda III is the spiritual father of all the Coptic Christians in the world. He is the 117th Pope on the throne of St Mark the Evangelist. His incredible power to simplify the complex interaction between man and God has enthralled millions in his lifetime. His wisdom blended with humility and sincerity have made his messages so awe inspiring and powerful. It is impossible that one leaves his sermons without questioning his relationship with the almighty God.

Below is a Sermon in two parts entitled “Come Back to God” Enjoy.

Read the rest of this entry »

When the Savior says to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you,” he addresses this to humankind in general. For those who believe in him, being healed of the diseases of the soul, will receive forgiveness of the sins which they formerly committed. He may also mean this: “I must heal your soul before I heal your body. If this is not done, by obtaining strength to walk, you will only sin more. Even though you have not asked for this, I as God see the maladies of the soul which brought on you this disease.”

Cyril of Alexandria

The gospel of the fifth Sunday talks about Bethsaida which symbolizes Baptism. We, the crowds of Christians, were beside it sick, lame, blind and paralyzed, suffering every spiritual sickness. The Angel that moves the water symbolizes the Holy Spirit Who comes down on the water of baptism. Read the rest of this entry »

St. Cyril of Alexandria, in his comment on “Hallowed be Thy Name,” affirmed that it is absolutely absurd to think that when we pray, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” we pray that additional holiness may accrue unto the all-holy God. He wondered, “If God be full and in every respect perfect in and by Himself, and the Giver of holiness to the creation out of His own holiness; what addition can He receive?” St. Cyril then explained the meaning of the prayer “Hallowed be Thy Name,” saying, “The prayer is, therefore, ‘May Thy Name be kept holy in us, in our minds and wills’; for this is the significance of the word ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’. For just as one who suffers from disease in his eyes and sees with difficulty and prays, saying ‘O Lord of all, grant that the light of the sun’s radiance may illuminate me also.’ He does not make his supplication on the behalf of the sun but on the contrary, upon his own.” So also if a man says ‘Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,’ he is not requesting any addition to be made to God’s holiness, but rather asks that he may himself possess such a mind and faith so as to feel that His Name is honorable and holy.

St. Cyril added that, when we ask these things, we not only ask for ourselves alone, but rather to intercede for all the dwellers upon earth. For those who already have believed, that their faith may be established and that they may be able to practice the glories of the more excellent life. For those who as yet are not believers, that they may be called and their eyes be opened. Read the rest of this entry »

The name for this Sunday is taken from the parable of our Lord Jesus Christ found in Luke 15:11-32. The parable is the story of a man and his two sons. The youngest of the sons asks his father to give him his inheritance.

The father does this, and soon after the son leaves and journeys to a distant country (vv. 11-13). After the younger son arrives, he squanders all of his possessions with “prodigal” living. Within a short period of time, he wastes everything.

A severe famine comes, but he has nothing and falls into great need (vv. 13-14). He is able to find work feeding swine, but this does not improve his situation. The Scriptures say, “He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, but no one gave him anything” (vv. 15-16). The parable says that in the midst of his dire conditions, he came to himself.

He realized that his father’s hired servants have enough to eat and food to spare, while he perishes with hunger. He says, “I will arise and go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants’” (vv. 17-19). He arose and returned to his father. Read the rest of this entry »

I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn.

The Angels sing!
The Archangels blend their voices in harmony!
The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise!
The Seraphim exalt His glory!

All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side the Sun of Justice. Read the rest of this entry »

Pure is the present night, in which the Pure One appeared, Who came to purify us! Let our hearing be pure, and the sight of our eyes chaste, and the feeling of the heart holy, and the speech of the mouth sincere!

The present night is the night of reconciliation; therefore, let no one be wroth against his brother and offend him! This night gave peace to the whole world, and so, let no one threaten.

This is the night of the Most Meek One; let no one be cruel! This is the night of the Humble One; let no one be proud! Now is the day of joy; let us not take revenge for offences! Now is the day of good will; let us not be harsh. Read the rest of this entry »

Prayer is by its very nature a dialogue and a union with God. Its effect is to hold the world together and to achieve a reconciliation with God. Prayer is the mother and daughter of tears. It is expiation of sin, a bridge over temptation, a barrier against affliction. It wipes out conflict, is the work of Angels and the nourishment of all bodiless beings. Prayer is the future gladness, an endless work, a wellspring of virtues, a source of grace, hidden progress, food for the soul, an illumination of the mind, an axe against despair, a proof of hope, sorrow done away with, the wealth of monks, the treasure of hesychasts, the reduction of anger, the mirror of progress, a demonstration of success, evidence of one’s condition, the future revealed, and a sign of glory. For him who truly prays, prayer is the court, the judgment hall and the tribunal of the Lord before the judgment to come.

Let us rise and listen to what the holy queen of the virtues cries with a loud voice and says to us: Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and you shall find rest for your souls and healing for your wounds. For my yoke is easy and is sovereign remedy for great sins. Read the rest of this entry »

God is often the last to receive attention on one’s daily agenda: ” As soon as I get time, I will meditate. ” Where does that time go? Yet anyone who performs the highest duty of knowing God is automatically guided in accordance with God’s will in the performance of the roster of other lesser duties. It is disastrousto seek prosperity at the cost of health or to seek health while entirely neglecting to strive to be successful and prosperous.

But since God is the source of all power, it is right to seek Him first, for, with God, health and prosperity are added; but with the acquirement of health and prosperity alone, God is not attained. So the commitment of ardent renunciants to seek God first by forsaking material goals is the consummate life; for God, once attained, enriches one with imperishable life and eternal opulence.

Whatever be one’s vocation in life, one needs to feel his connection with God. The cultivation of a spiritual life requires solitary places for divine communion. Read the rest of this entry »

I think, brethren, that the souls which draw near to the love of God are of three sorts, be they male or female.

There are those who are called by the law of love which is in their nature, and which original good implanted in them at their first creation. The word of God came to them, and they doubted not at all but followed it readily, like Abraham the Patriarch: for when God saw that it was not from the teaching of men that he had learnt to love God, but from the law implanted in the nature of his first compacting, God appeared to him and said, ‘Get thee out from thy country and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee.’ (Gen. 12:1)

And he went nothing doubting, but was ready for his calling. He is the pattern of this approach, which still persists in those who follow in his footsteps. Toiling and seeking the fear of God in patience and quiet, they achieve the true manner of life, because their souls are ready to follow the love of God. This is the first kind of calling. Read the rest of this entry »