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
I am not my father. We are separate individuals, yet you can see the image of Henry Joseph Sandigo and his qualities within me. The same goes for God the Father and his creation. While the gospels call for a personal and radical inner/outer transformation, God is not reserved for the individual alone. An essential part of loving God is loving others, regardless if they are followers of our rabbi. Ideally, our life is committed to silence and serving others. A... Read more
While living on the road, there was no guarantee of finding a rest stop or place to camp for the night. Some days, we had to go without food or showers. We spent long hours driving, treating it as our 9-to-5 job. Eventually, our 1999 Dodge van named Scarlett would start making noises, indicating that she needed a rest. My brother Taylor would pat the dashboard and say, “There, there girl. Let’s get off the highway.” We often found ourselves... Read more
The tree that is beside the running water is fresher and gives more fruit.1 You are the Tabernacle of the Holy Spirit. Your feet are on holy ground for our Lord walks with you, wherever you go! Despite having received the Bread of Life and tasted the choice wine we can still be tempted and indulge in old habits. There is a war for a soul and it is crucial that we fight to hear the voice of our Shepherd... Read more
“We can keep guard over the whole world by keeping guard over the atmosphere of heaven within us, for if we lose the Kingdom of Heaven, we will save neither ourselves nor others. He who has the Kingdom of God in himself will imperceptibly pass it on to others. People will be attracted by the peace and warmth in us; they will want to be near us, and the atmosphere of heaven will gradually pass on to them. It is... Read more
The sounds of the bell indicate that it’s time for Compline. Venerable Brother Chewy, a chihuahua rescued by the monks, rouses me from a siesta by licking my face. Once the prayers are over, I sit in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Brother Martin taps me on the shoulder, interrupting my recitation of the Jesus prayer, and asks what I’d like to drink. To which I reply water. He seems surprised and tells me that the monastery has a full... Read more
Humanity’s ability to create is reliant on the Source of all creation. Scripture is said to be divinely inspired. Is it logical to believe God gave up speaking through people after St. John’s mic-drop letters on Patmos Island? Read more
Our “I” or identity is found in Yeshua. If we do not find rest in Christ, our “I” remains wanting. For what can we do apart from Him? We are an integral part of the Body of Christ meant to experience the fullness of life in the fullness of Christ. If God is Love, He will not abandon us or say, “Good luck,” when a storm begins to brew. Remember, Yeshua’s name means God with us! Yeshua calmed the tumultuous sea... Read more
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