15 August 2019

On Prayer

Do not rush one prayer after another but say them with orderly
deliberation, as one addressing a great person for a favor. Do not
just pay attention to the words, but rather let the mind be in the
heart, standing before the Lord in full awareness of His presence,
in full consciousness of His greatness and grace and justice.
 

                                      St. Theophan the Recluse, Bishop of Tambov

11 August 2019

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the wicked enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee,
That with all Thy saints,
I may praise Thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.

                                 - St. Ignatius of Loyola

6 August 2019

On Unspeakable Joy

Though you do not see Him, you believe, and in believing,
there is unspeakable joy.

                         St Polycarp of Smyrna – 2^nd Century Bishop

31 July 2019

On Judging the Bible

The Bible was given not that we might judge it, but that it might judge us.

                                                                                      Saint Nikolai Velimirovich

26 July 2019

On Our Shortcomings

But tell me, when you first married her, did you not know that you were being joined
to a human being? And does anybody fail to see that sin is part of being human? For
perfection belongs to God alone. … Are you free from all fault? Do you not cause your
wife pain by your conduct? … How many shortcomings of yours are kept secret,
because your wife has not published them!

                                                                             St Asterius of Amasea, 4th-Century Bishop

22 July 2019

On Our Care of Children

Let everything take second place to our care of our children, our bringing them
up to the discipline and instruction of the Lord. If from the beginning we teach
them to love true wisdom, they will have great wealth and glory than riches can
provide. If a child learns a trade, or is highly educated for a lucrative profession,
all this is nothing compared to the art of detachment from riches; if you want to
make your child rich, teach him this. He is truly rich who does not desire great
possessions, or surround himself with wealth, but who requires nothing ... Don’t
think that only monks need to learn the Bible; Children about to go our into the
world stand in greater need of Scriptural knowledge.

                                  + St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Homily 21

13 July 2019

Passer invenit sibi domum

The sparrow has found herself a home, and the
turtle dove a nest in which to lay her young:
at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and
my God! Blessed are they who dwell in your
house, they shall praise you forever and ever.