Archive for April 2025
Our Work Must Go On
Shortly after the Resurrection ‘experience’ of the Apostles, it was clear there was more work to be done. Instead of ‘just’ sitting around celebrating the Lord’s Resurrection, they realized their purpose. Judas had killed himself, so the Apostles replaced him with Matthias. There was more work to accomplish. I feel the same way today. We…
Read MoreEpisode 448 – Let the Gospel Change You
There were thousands of people gathered in Jerusalem who witnessed the glory of Jesus Christ. They witnessed Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Despite seeing His glory with their own eyes, they didn’t understand God’s glory. We sit in Church. We see the glory of God. We proclaim our faith in Him. Still,…
Read MoreThese Saving Days
Our 2025 Daily Lenten Journey comes to an end today with a review of why it all matters. We have been fasting for weeks now. We have been diligently making our prostrations in front of our icons. You may not have been paying attention, but it was all for a our salvation. I saved my…
Read MoreGrant us Master Rest for Body and Soul
With only two days left in our Daily Lenten Journey, today we conclude our review of the prayers of Great Compline. Following the prayer in front of the Theotokos, our attention is directly in front of the Icon of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. And grant to us, Master, as we depart for sleep,…
Read MoreSpotless and Unstained Virgin
As we wind down our 2025 Daily Lenten Journey on Prayer, today we turn our attention to the final prayers of Compline. These prayers are common to both the Small Compline and Great Compline, so they seem fitting to begin the wrap up of our journey. Toward the end of Compline two faithful readers come…
Read MoreGreat Compline Prayer Three
Not every prayer is long, but every prayer is important. The shortest prayer is only one word, Amen. Some prayers are so long we struggle to remain attentive. Our Daily Lenten Journey has been reviewing all sorts of prayers, long and short. Today’s prayer isn’t long, but it is powerful. O Master God, Father Almighty,…
Read MoreGreat Compline Prayer Two
Many weeks ago, even before we began our Great Lenten Journey, the Church prepared us with the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. One saved and another not. One filled with pride and another who could not even lift his eyes to heaven. We return there today. Today’s prayer reads like the ‘extended version’…
Read MoreGreat Compline Prayer One
The final service our Daily Lenten Journey will review is unique to Great Lent. Although the Small Compline is ‘part’ of our regular evening prayers as individuals, the Great Compline is ONLY offered during Great Lent, and it is offered normally in the Church. The term ‘compline’ is a translation of the Greek word meaning…
Read MoreVespers Prayer at the Bowing of our Heads
We wrap up our discussion of the silent prayers of Vespers today with a practical yet poignant prayer. This prayer might be basic, but it leads us to the best understanding of our relationship with God. We know we need God, but do we know nobody else can help us? O Lord our God, Who…
Read MoreVespers Entrance Prayer
Vespers is the “Twelfth Hour” and therefore the service that straddles the gap between day and night. Behind us are the hours of the day. Ahead are the watches of the night. Today’s Daily Lenten Journey will feature the prayer during which we ‘enter’ into the night. In the evening, at dawn, and at midday,…
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