Intro: This reflection is part of an ongoing Lenten series adapted from my devotional booklet The Tears of the Theotokos. Each entry draws us deeper into the Seven Sorrows of Mary, inviting us to contemplate not only her maternal suffering, but the merciful consolations that flow from her union with Christ’s Passion. In this fourth sorrow—Mary’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Calvary—we hear His prophetic words to the women of Jerusalem, echoing across time: Weep not for Me,... Read more
Mary’s Second Sorrow: The Flight into Egypt and Trusting God in Exile Meditation: In the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, we witness Joseph’s obedience to God and the prototype of true fatherhood. Blessed Joseph, ever vigilant, leads his family to safety. His watchfulness and strength amid persecution—when tyrants prey upon the innocent—are virtues of a God-fearing man. Likewise, all Christians must guard their hearts against unclean spirits, pride, worldly distractions, spiritual indifference, and any temptation that leads them away from... Read more
First Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35) And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. Meditation The First Sorrow in our series of Lenten reflections. Jesus Christ, the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), bore the weight of humanity’s grief and transfigured the transgressions of the world. Yet before He could be lifted up upon the Cross, He had to be lifted out of the manger. As Mary held the Incarnate... Read more
For Lent, I will be sharing a series of meditations on the Seven Sorrows of Mary through the lens of the Eastern Church, drawing from its tradition of the Prayer of the Heart and the tears of repentance. According to the Fathers, tears are a gift from God, leading us from contrition (penthos) to enlightenment, healing the wounds of sin, and carrying us from sorrow to joy. I will be posting excerpts up until Pascha. May these reflections deepen your... Read more
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor, Shall be lifted — Nevermore! – Edgar Allan Poe Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. – Jesus In this episode of the Metanoia podcast, I share my testimony from being a college dropout to becoming a nomadic seeker in pursuit of... Read more
Shall I abandon my Love? He who pined after me in the depths of despair, calling to this heart poisoned as it was by pride and vanity. For who can better care for creation than the Creator? Who better to govern your ways than the Father of All? Yet I entrusted the facilities of my soul to the devils. Every breath was burdensome until I realized that the life within me was solely due to the generosity of Christ. I... Read more
Well, I wanna see the road melt Into the mountains away as I drive And make it out of this damn town alive And not let the dreams I shoulder die ‘Cause I’m movin’ at God speed Only God and my mama know what I need And I feel the hardwood floors on my knees As I beg you just to take it easy on me Godspeed by Zach Bryan Note: This is an account of a cross-country odyssey told... Read more
If we are stingy with others, can we be generous with God? When I say “generous,” I mean granting the Lord total dominion over your heart. The cross is the ultimate symbol of self-giving and we can never repay the Suffering Servant for all that he has done and continues to do. Let’s face it, conquering death [resurrection] is the ultimate mic-drop; nothing needs to be said after that. However, to love the Lord our God with all our faculties... Read more
The Master said, ‘Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.’ Luke 10:41-42 In our relationships and discipleship, it’s important to practice patience. If we were to compare Christianity to a type of fire, it would be a controlled burn. For wildland firefighters this means setting planned fires to maintain the health of a... Read more
“In the Byzantine Catholic Church, the Great Fast is the name given to the Lenten period, the six weeks before Great and Holy Week (the final week before Easter). The beginning of the Great Fast for the Byzantine Church differs from other churches in a few ways but the meaning and intent are similar. There isn’t an Ash Wednesday or even ashes, but instead, the Great Fast begins quietly without notice on a Monday, two days before the more well-known... Read more
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