Archive for April 2020

I’ve noticed something on social media during the past few weeks that concerns me. As if it isn’t difficult enough for families to be quarantined, or at the very least to be limited in movement outside the home, I understand tensions can run high in family dynamics. That being said, I also think parents need…

We are deep now into our Great Lenten Journey. We can’t quite see the end, so we focus on today. Today is all we really have when it comes to our relationship with God. We learn to make the most of today to honor Him. That’s why today I wanted to remind you that you’ve…

When Saint James and Saint John, the Apostles of Christ, ask Jesus to honor their commitment with special seats in heaven Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” (Mark 10.33-34) He said this to show the difference between…

On the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the Church calls us to service of our brothers and sisters. Instead of being preoccupied with our own position, we are called by Christ to the slave of all. This is only possible when we think beyond ourselves. As our society continues with social distancing and stay at…

Wisdom is a character trait for which we chase our entire life. When we are young, we are told wisdom comes with age. When we grow older, wisdom continues to be out of reach. Every year we look back at our younger self and think, “What I thought I knew…” It doesn’t matter how old…

Today is the final day of our Great Lenten Journey, and while it was not what we expected since we have spent most of our journey in quarantine, and I invite you to reflect upon the blessings you received. Sometimes, while we are in the midst of a journey, we forget that journeys end, and…

On the Saturday of Lazarus, the day before Palm Sunday, the Church recalls the faith of Mary and Martha and the power of God. Their faith wasn’t perfect. In fact they had a moment of doubt when they said, “If only you had been here, our brother would not be dead.” When they witnessed the…

For the Feast of Palm Sunday, we welcome The King of Kings, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not into the city, but into our hearts. This year because of the pandemic, we celebrate the Victorious Entrance of Christ by staying at home, rather than gathering a large crowd in the Church. This year our…

When we are closed in our homes during this health crisis, we are reminded of the Holy Apostles who were also closed in their home due to fear. Despite the closed door, God was present with His Apostles, just as He was present with you, and is present with you, in your home every time…

It has become natural in our lives to expect to be able to enter the Church, light our candle, reverence the holy icons, make an offering to the Church, and pray inside the main Church, which we Orthodox refer as the Nave. All that has changed with the Coronavirus (COVID19) and yet nothing has changed.…