The Opportunity of COV19 – Live Each Day as if it Were Our Last – in Prayer and Action for God and Others – “the way everlasting.” Ps. 138

"For darkness will not be darkness with Thee, and night shall be bright as the day; as is the darkness thereof, even so shall the light thereof be." Selections from Psalm 138, Orthodox Psalter "Oh Lord, that has proved me and Thou knowest me; Thou knowest my down-sitting and my uprising. Thou hast discerned my …

During the Lenten Fast we must work for inner peace…

"During the Great Lenten Fast, each day brings on new challenges regarding the health of our soul. Trials and temptations, especially during this fast period, confront us. But we must struggle to bring about a peaceful heart, and bring forth the healing we need, that our soul gain spiritual strength. Reacting to another’s negativity does …

The Tension That Keeps us Striving Towards Our Salvation…

"The most radical thing is to keep always the feeling of our own insufficiency in relation to God. Then we will enter a permanent state of tension between self-condemnation and the love of Christ, between repentance and hope in the mercy of God. On the one hand, we live in anguish at being so far …

Internal Peace

Peace comes through a sincere belief in God’s presence and in His promises; it is not dependent on our feelings or sensations. Believe in His promises and rest in His peace today. Elder Sophrony Sakharov I was working with a dear friend on letting go of the attachment or attraction I have to the feelings …

Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives

  In her striving to follow the commandments of God, the only thoughts the Theotokos filled herself with those dedicated to God. She prepared her body and soul to be a pure vessel for the Lord. May we too fill our souls with the love of God and receive His Holy Spirit in the sanctified …

The Aquisition of the Holy Spirit – Step One: The Break with the World

The Break with the World: Step 1: Renunciation “A friend of God is one who lives in communion with all that is natural and free from sin and who does not neglect to do what good he can. The self-controlled man strives with all his might amidst the trials, the snares, the noise of the …

Sensual Judgment and Curiosity, the Robbers of Our Communion with God and Inner Stillness, airing March 2015

Sensual Judgment and Curiosity The Robbers of Our Communion with God and Inner Stillness "Try to be free of curiosity, for it can defile stillness as nothing else can." St. John Climacus In this podcast Veronica examines the sensual aspect of our fallen nature and how our physical senses and curious tendencies can entice and …

Entering the Arena–Great Lent Begins Again, Podcast airing mid-Feb. 2015

Entering the Arena–Great Lent Begins Again It’s that time of year again most of us fear and love at the same time. Great Lent! One of my pastors said, ‘How we enter and participate in the first week of Lent is very important. Our struggles in the first week, in Pure Week, set the tone …

Mary, the First Hesyachist – Part II – “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart”

Mary, the First Hesyachist Part II “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” While in the womb of the Advent Fast, awaiting the birth of Christ, let us enter into the prayer life of the Theotokos, whom St. Gregory Palamas called the first hesyachist and reflect on the value of …

Drawing closer to the Mother of God during Advent, Part I airing on OCN mid-Nov.

Most of us are not thrilled about fasting – which part of the struggle we all confront when we begin a fast. How do we joyfully and thankfully approach fasting? How do we prepare ourselves to receive Christ into the manger of our souls? How can the Mary be a guide to us this Advent? …