SACRAMENTAL LIVING

“…humans weren’t created as perfect beings but rather had the potential to choose perfection or move away from it. So too Paradise was not a perfect world but had the potential to become that if the humans made appropriate choices and decisions. The world from the beginning had great potential as did the first humans. Perfection was something that was to be realized by the humans who were capable of choosing the good and moving towards perfection or choosing the evil and movi

“Self-deception can be defined as a false belief concerning oneself. It is a repercussion from the wound of rejection. When we think we are right for long enough, but are actually wrong, no one can tell us differently. Because of this, self-deception is a trap. It is extremely difficult for one to extricate himself from deception of any kind, especially when it is being directed from within.” (Frank Hammond) “We ought, however, to be aware that to live in self-deception is sp

“Christ is the New Adam. He comes to repair the damage inflicted on life by Adam, to restore man to true life, and thus he also begins with fasting. ‘When he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, he became hungry’ (Matthew 4:2). Hunger is that state in which we realize our dependence on something else – when we urgently and essentially need food – showing thus that we have no life in ourselves.” (Fr. Alexander Schmemann) “To understand fasting as simply abstaining from meat and d

“Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness or unforgiveness of your sins, then, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation. You can see for yourself how serious it is…Our Lord Jesus gives us the teaching regarding forgiveness. He tells us that forgiveness is an integral part of the kingdom of heaven, and the

“In shame, the only thing we accept is our failure and the idea that we deserve perpetual punishment….The shame we are speaking of is a...

“I am becoming increasingly convinced that in our age of inattention, distraction, and scattered focus, the greatest gift we can offer...

“The coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ into the world is one of the few interludes of joy which tormented humanity has enjoyed over the...

“Our first encounter with Him is through faith. Faith opens the door of the soul, so that Christ can enter. Faith receives Him, subjects...

“God is not just Father of the divine Word, but stepfather to all who are baptized. God is not just a friend in Christ, but the...

“Due to significantly painful experiences, we may even lose trust in God. Many struggle to make sense of the trials and tribulations in...