It is difficult to find something as important for the spiritual life as trust in God. In all situations of our life we have to activate this trust, so that it becomes that inner certainty that permeates everything. In this way, our spiritual path becomes lighter and more attractive to others. We will therefore dedicate the next two meditations to this theme: trust in God. Read More
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THE LORD MAKES OUR PATHS STRAIGHT
129th Meditation
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov 3:5-6).
It is a very wise not to lean on one’s own understanding. Although our understanding is a marvelous gift that God grants us on the natural plane, it was obscured as a result of original sin, in addition to being subject to the limitations proper to the world of creation. Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Prayer of the Heart (Part III)
Whoever has been engaged in the prayer of the heart for a long time and practices it regularly, will experience the joy that this prayer really brings to the soul. It becomes easy for us to withdraw into that “inner cell” which has been formed through prayer, precisely at those times when noise gets in the way and we are most exposed to the danger of distraction. Read More
THE WISDOM OF THE LORD ACCOMPANIES US
128th Meditation
“Despatch wisdom from the holy heavens, send her forth from your throne of glory to help me and to toil with me and teach me what is pleasing to you” (Wis 9:10).
The Father not only sent His Son into the world, but, together with the Son, He also sent the Holy Spirit to lead us into the fullness of truth (Jn 16:13). Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Prayer of the Heart (Part II)
The prayer of the heart-or Jesus prayer-requires a certain preparation. In this regard, let us listen again to Metropolitan Serafim Joanta:
“The dispositions for the Jesus prayer are, as for any other prayer, the following: To be at peace with one’s neighbor, to be free from excessive worries, a certain disposition of the soul, a quiet place…. No one can pray a pure prayer – that is, a prayer that is not tainted by extraneous thoughts, by external impressions of the senses and memories – as long as he is not at peace with his neighbor. Read More
TO BELIEVE IN THE LOVE OF GOD
127th Meditation
“If you kept a record of our sins, Lord,
who could stand their ground?
But with you is forgiveness,
that you may be revered” (Ps 130:3-4). Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Prayer of the Heart (Part II)
The prayer of the heart-or Jesus prayer-requires a certain preparation. In this regard, let us listen again to Metropolitan Serafim Joanta:
“The dispositions for the Jesus prayer are, as for any other prayer, the following: To be at peace with one’s neighbor, to be free from excessive worries, a certain disposition of the soul, a quiet place…. No one can pray a pure prayer – that is, a prayer that is not tainted by extraneous thoughts, by external impressions of the senses and memories – as long as he is not at peace with his neighbor. Read More
THE SNARE WAS BROKEN AND WE ESCAPED
126th Meditation
“We escaped like a bird from the fowlers’ snare.
The snare was broken and we escaped;
our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 124:7-8) Read More
A SERIES ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: Prayer of the Heart (Part I)
Those who wish to enrich and intensify their prayer life will find a very valuable practice in the tradition of the Eastern Church: the so-called “prayer of the heart” or “Jesus prayer”.
In order to avoid misunderstandings, it is worth clarifying that this form of prayer is part of the rich treasure of the Universal Church, although it is practiced mainly by the faithful of Orthodoxy. It is by no means a foreign practice that comes from the forms of meditation of other Eastern religions; it is genuinely Christian. Read More
THE HOLY WORD OF GOD
125th Meditation
“Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them” (Ps 119:140).
The Word of God has been given to us so that through it we may have life. It is different from merely human words. It has the power to illuminate our whole life and to transform us. It is the Lord Himself who communicates to us through His Word. Indeed, God speaks to us and thus gives us access to His own being. Through the words that come from His Heart, He grants us an encounter with His love. Read More