Martyr Parasceve of Rome (138)
Martyr Cecilia of Sicily (235)
We must have a spirit of gratitude for grace received from God, a spirit that compels us to grow in His Spirit and Likeness. Become strong and do not be surprised by the temptations that come along in life. A meditation on a difficult line from the Epistle reading: “…by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers and yet true.” And from the second Epistle reading, “We then that are strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good edification.” We are not to fear sinning so much as failing to repent.
Romans 15:1–7, Matthew 9:27–35
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQuEhH2NcyI
A short meditation on words from Psalm 102,one of the "Six Psalms", read in matins, early in the morning, at the Monastery. The psalms teach us how do live. Are we listening?
Psalm 102:13 Like as a father hath compassion upon his sons, so hath the Lord had compassion upon them that fear Him; 102:14 for He knoweth whereof we are made, He hath remembered that we are dust.
https://youtu.be/GQtXp3RiECg
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQtXp3RiECg
Some reflections after running the beach at North Padre Island. Everything is a metaphor, remember. Running at the beach, in the surf can teach you a lot of things about Christianity if you are willing to listen. Never quit. Do what you can do. Be satisfied with what you do but always desire to do more.
YouTube:https://youtu.be/j_k8rDUDorg
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_k8rDUDorg
Galatians 6:11–18, Luke 16:19–31
The modern world is in a crisis of identity. False identifies abound, but what is the true identity of a Christian?
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzdA3XXioFQ
Healing of the Blind Man. Courage, patience, humility characterize the faith of the blind man, but also the kind of audacity that is necessary to do great things for God. Christian patience is an active — not a passive — virtue. Moral courage is a requirement for salvation.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZtWJwWR5FM
Ephesians 4:1–6, Luke 10:25–37
Fr. Seraphim answers the question posed to Christ in the Gospels “Who is my neighbor?” through an explanation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan — a more theologically profound story than most Christians realize. The Parable speaks of the meaning of Jesus’ Incarnation into this world, and as such is an encapsulation of the entire message of the Gospels. Join us as we meditate on this weeks’ readings in preparation for the start of the Nativity Fast.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QBWScLHBUg