The Fathers highlight another mystery concerning the Life of Christ on earth as a model and pattern for our own Life in Christ. This is revealed in the fact that even with the human nature of Christ we may observe … Continue reading
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John’s language about “the Jews” is even more condemnatory that Matthew’s. Consistently, Jesus’ opponents are called “the Jews.” They are “from below,” from “this world”. They are children of the devil: You are from your father the devil, and you … Continue reading
St. John Climacus felt that the very first rung on the Ladder of Ascent is probably one of the more difficult rungs. John sees the first step as renunciation of this world and things of this world. He says that … Continue reading
The eight-day period from Easter to the Anti-Pascha (St. Thomas Day), as many may already know, is called Bright Week. This entire period is considered by our Church to be one continuous day. Each day a different Tone is used … Continue reading
During this time after Easter, I thought that I would share some ideas about Eastern spirituality that are derived from our Father among the Saints, St. John Climacus. While his Ladder of Divine Ascent was written for monks, I believe … Continue reading
It is important to remember that the Greek Fathers stressed that in Christ Jesus we find man’s rightful place, “on the right hand of the Father,” sharing in the divine Life; but, as with the two natures in Christ, man … Continue reading
As I thought about the Easter mystery and our Divine Liturgy, it dawned on me that each Divine Liturgy is truly an experience of the Risen Christ since He literally comes into our presence in the mystery of the Eucharist … Continue reading
One of the things that became abundantly clear to me as we celebrated Pascha, was that the call to holiness is the call to live life in a certain manner right now. The call is not to a life after … Continue reading
During the past number of weeks, I have been sharing ideas about the Gospel of St. John. On the Great Day, Easter, we heard the opening verses of His Gospel. It so very many ways these opening verses are the … Continue reading
You became a believer because you saw me. Blest are they who have not seen and have believed. On this day of renewal of the Resurrection of Christ, we recall the doubt of Thomas, the apostle, and the reaction of … Continue reading