Category The Life of Grace

The Ascetical Life, The Life of Grace, The Merciful Life

The Soil of our Hearts

A parable is a story, told by Jesus, that’s meant to challenge our concept of what God and His Kingdom are like. By speaking in parables, Jesus is saying, “You thought God and the Kingdom were like this but I’m…

Minimus
10/19/2021

The Beloved Life, The Life of Grace

The Compassion of God

In today’s gospel, Jesus travels to a town called Naim where he meets a funeral procession for a young man, “ the only son of a widowed mother.” There’s no particular reason for Jesus to have come to Naim. It…

Minimus
10/10/2021

The Beloved Life, The Life of Grace

Pokrov and Saint Therese

On October 1st the Byzantine Slavs celebrate the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos; in the west, this day commemorates the falling asleep of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the “little flower.” Is there any connection between these feasts? I…

Minimus
09/30/2021

The Ascetical Life, The Life of Grace

From the Desert

Abba Theophilus, the archbishop, came to Scetis one day. The brethren who were assembled said to Abba Pambo, ‘Say something to the archbishop, so that he may be edified.’ The old man said to them, ‘If he is not edified…

Minimus
09/20/2021

The Beloved Life, The Life of Grace, The Merciful Life

Saved by Hope (Spe Salvi)

“I am definitively loved and whatever happens to me—I am awaited by this Love. And so my life is good.” Saint Josephine Bakhita, quoted in Spe Salvi

Minimus
09/15/2021

The Beloved Life, The Life of Grace

The Word is the Beloved

In the eternal now The Father speaks a word. This word is “Beloved.” Though spoken only once It resonates through eternity And so is always spoken. As “Beloved” is spoken, Beloved is In its resonance it always is, A word…

Minimus
09/09/2021