SACRAMENTAL LIVING

“Jesus clearly knew that Judas felt no kindness or wise consideration for his master. He also knew that Judas was full of devilishly bitter poison, and even while [his feet were being washed by Jesus] he was devising the means to betray him. Nevertheless, Jesus honored him just as much as the rest of the disciples and washed his feet as well, continually exhibiting His own unique love…That Jesus put a thief [Judas Iscariot] in charge of the money shows that by every means He

“…a good man and a very bright priest, sent me an email. In it he said, “I’ve come to the realization that my all-too-easy focus on my own unworthiness is tragically connected and interconnected to some of my own demons, that is, ‘I’m not good enough and never will be.’ And I easily call to mind my faults and blunders. I usually forget immediately anything good that I’ve done.” I’m a clinical psychologist who sees all kinds of people in all kinds of roles and all kinds of occ

“Repentance is a complete turning of one’s heart toward Absolute Goodness, and not only of the heart but also of the mind, the feelings, the body, and one’s whole being. Repentance is the unbreakable union of love with our Father and Creator.” (Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica) “Repentance . . . in deep mourning and joined with confession is what unveils the eyes of the soul to see the great things of God.” (Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos) “…let us see these trying times as allow

“The Church is like a hospital for those sick with sin, not a place where perfect people celebrate their holiness. Jesus set it up that way. The Church is Christ and it is provided for our redemption. If the Church is doing its job, it will always be full of sinners, and if it is full of sinners, it is bound to be a dysfunctional family. And if it is a dysfunctional family, it is going to be very difficult to live with. But it is still Jesus’ family and each person must find

“Perfect love, we know, casteth out fear. But so do several other things—ignorance, alcohol, passion, presumption, and stupidity. It is very desirable that we should all advance to that perfection of love in which we shall fear no longer; but it is very undesirable, until we have reached that stage, that we should allow any inferior agent to cast out our fear.” (C.S. Lewis) “We will give anything to live eternally, and we all long after perfect love, love that never changes b

"We may go to beautiful churches well-prepared for worship, but often we don’t take the presence of God with us through the week…The Lord desires that our worship be intimately connected with the daily activities of our lives.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Jeremiah 7:9-11, Dynamis 7/19/2018) “…there is no separation between worship and life. They are one.” (Orthodox Study Bible, Philippians 2:17) “One must act in such a way that the soul does not turn to God only when you are stand