The fourteenth step on John’s Ladder, Gluttony, is particularly apropos for people during the Great Fast. Why? Because many times people spend fasting periods groaning about food. And not only this – some become so obsessive about observing the rules … Continue reading
Category Archives: Eastern Christian Spirituality and Prayer
In the last issue of this article, I presented the first two of three stages of “freedom from anger”. As was fairly obvious, I think, anger usually is the result of a lack of humility. The first two stages of … Continue reading
I would finish these thoughts on the sixth step of the Ladder, Remembrance of Death, with these few additional comments. When we remember death, life is put into perspective. We will not waste our time on things that are not … Continue reading
For those who have been following this article in the Bulletin, I have been sharing thoughts about the steps on St. John Climacus’ Ladder of Divine Ascent. Just to recap, the steps that I have covered so far are: (1) … Continue reading
I have already shared with you the first two rungs or steps on Climacus’ Ladder of Divine Ascent. They are: Renunciation and Detachment. Hopefully they have made sense to you. If they have not, think about them again and come … Continue reading
As we joyously celebrate the Great Feast of Pascha, I realize that the spirituality of our Church is focused on helping us to experience the reality of God’s Kingdom right now! Our Church calls us to experience God as He … Continue reading
The only other time of the year that our Church has more religious feasts and observances is Great and Holy Week and Bright Week. While there were only two weekends where there were special commemorations (i.e., weekends of the Forefather … Continue reading
Perhaps the one thing that differentiates Eastern Spirituality from the all others is its concept of Theosis. I have, over that past several years, written much about this idea. However, no matter how much I write and read about it … Continue reading
As I suggested in the last issue of this article, Eastern theology doesn’t spend time placing sinful acts into categories. Sin is sin. Therefore, a better way to look at sin would be the following: Are my actions, my thoughts, … Continue reading
The true Christian life is directed toward God and a life which is modeled on the life of Jesus Christ. When a person gives him/herself to using Jesus as a model for his/her life, there is a real awakening to … Continue reading