Have I Changed Yet?

Today is the Leave-taking of Pascha, the last day of the Feast. It is the final day we greet each other and sing Christ is Risen, until next year. Last year in my blog “Christ is Always Risen” I wrote about reviving the fervor of Pascha. Today, I still wonder about my fervor. Every year…

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The Power of Compassion

Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13.35) He also said, “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5.43) Did you ever wonder what happens when we love one another and love our enemies? Even non-Christian historical texts verify that ancient Christians were compassionate to…

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You Can’t Buy God

It is a sickness of our wealthy society. We believe that all we need is to have money, and then offer to give it, that we will get what we want when we want it. When we don’t, we keep our money and complain we were treated poorly. Money can’t buy God. This was the…

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Do What He Tells You

Every Orthodox Christian is taught that obedience is a blessing. We are taught to be obedient first to God, then to the Church through our spiritual father. There are many stories of blessings that come from obedience, not the last of which is eternal life. In today’s readings I was reminded of obedience. Take a…

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I was hungry and you gave me a dollar

Many years ago, I was blessed to volunteer at a downtown mission center in Denver, Colorado. The mission center offered clothing and food supplies to the homeless and indigent population surrounding the ‘old church’ in the city. I learned a great deal from the nun who was director. She used to say to me, “God…

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