SACRAMENTAL LIVING

Understanding Christianity as a Way of Life

Tranquility

“There is just too much “noise” at practically any venue one chooses to attend or visit…Are we, in turn, in danger of inevitably fearing silence? Or will silence be experienced as a lack of something—anything—to keep us distracted?...we live in an age of constant activity, gratification of the senses, uncontrolled imagination and speculations that wear people out. They are searching for inner stillness—hesychia—from the world of the senses and imagination, but also the theolo

Learning versus Knowing

“To be constantly learning sounds like a good thing. The Greek term for learning refers to the “observation” that increases knowledge of the world... Of course, such learning is often useful and enriching. But the term “always” refers to the constant investigation that this method of learning demands. It aims to expand the boundaries of personal and human knowledge continually. But that motive prevents the commitment, devotion, and dedication to the Lord necessary for spirit

Obedience

“Often in the Scriptures the word know means not just being aware of something but having personal experience of it. Jesus did not know sin, not because He was unaware of what it is but because He never committed it himself. For although He is like us in every other way, He never sinned. Given this meaning of the word know, it is clear that anyone who says that He knows God must also keep his commandments, for the two things go together.” (Didymus the Blind) “We can be said t

Self-Denial

“Something has to give between the contemporary obsession with the self that has generated an endless market for books, tapes, CDs, DVDs, seminars, programs, therapies, “self-help” gurus and the like; and the ever-demanding teaching of Our Lord: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself….” [Mark 8:34]. This is not a Buddhist-like call to “self-transcendence” in search of enlightenment. It is Christ’s way of teaching us that to defensively, fearfully, or even idola

Vulnerability

“Vulnerability is something we instinctively reject because we are taught from kindergarten on that we must protect ourselves, control our behavior and our lives. But in becoming man for us, Christ made himself totally vulnerable for us in Jesus of Nazareth, and it is not possible to be a Christian while refusing to be vulnerable.” (Madeleine L'Engle) “In times of suffering, the Church encourages us to fully experience our story and, as my good friend and teacher Dr. Albert R

Processing

“Speed, instant access, and just-in-time are the touchstones of the new media and connected man; and speeding up each task along with multitasking creates a way of life with no dead time. But paradoxically, eliminating dead time removes time for living. Man cannot live to the full when he stifles his consciousness with unceasing activity.” (Jean-Claude Larchet) “One of the challenges of living in a world that is so fast paced and intense, is that we can have life events throw

Jesus Christ (Life in Christ)

“The Lord Jesus clearly teaches in this parable [Parable of the Sower - Mark 4:1-9] that there is irresistible power in life, physical and spiritual alike. Everything that can be called life flows from God; it comes from His Person. For this reason, Christ our God says, “I am the . . . life” (Jn 14:6), which makes the parable exciting. He who is Life yields life many times over.” (Dynamis 9/4/2020) “The “works” that a Christian does, are properly done in union with Christ, su

Witnessing

“It is through clinging to Christ in all we do that we sow genuine seeds, in our relationships and in the world around us. Sowing is all we can do, all that is asked of us. God reaps.” (Constantina R. Palmer) “We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” (Madeleine L'Engle) “We have to

Limits/Limitations

“…one of the most essential challenges we face is to truly accept our limits. When we do this, the opportunity for personal growth and development is almost limitless. And, as we might expect, accepting our limits is not very popular. In fact, it is countercultural.” (Robert J. Wicks) “…it is essential for us, as Christians, to be conscious of our limitations and of our dependence on the Holy Spirit that moves in the Church. If we attempt to live life on our own terms, we qui

Wisdom (2)

“When our Lord Jesus Christ, during His teaching ministry, taught us the true Wisdom of God, he turned much of the wisdom of the world upon its head…The Apostle Paul distinguish between two kinds of wisdom: “the wisdom of this world” and “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:20-21). He declares Christ to be the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24), for those who are united to Him receive true wisdom, while those who resist Him are self-condemned (Jn 3:18).” (Father Stephen De Young, Dynamis 7/8

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