Episode 473 – Changing our Heart for God

A priest speaking during a religious ceremony with a book in hand.

On the cusp of Great Lent, we are called to three challenges. All three challenges have one thing in common. We are called to forgive, fast and be generous, all to prepare our hearts for God. Great Lent isn’t about food and prostration. Great Lent is about changing our hearts for God. Transcript: My brothers…

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God Calls All People

Person using a large red megaphone against a black background.

Few things are more troubling than feeling alone in a room full of people. That is exactly how some feel when they come to Church. They feel judged. They feel alone. The worst is when they don’t feel loved by God. Sometimes we must be reminded that God loves us. I get it. Hearing that…

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Let Them Say Whatever They Wish

Three men in vintage attire engaged in a serious conversation indoors.

It is human nature to defend one’s honor. Our entire justice system is built upon protections against false accusations. That never stops others from speaking falsely about our character as Christians. Some even make up entire stories to smear our reputation. We’re not alone. Our Lord was smeared, lied about, and ultimately executed based upon…

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Something Big is Coming

Yellow sticky note with 'BIG THINGS COMING!' message on black background.

It happens to all of us. We hear about something big about to happen in our lives and we get anxious. We may even get excited if we know ‘what’ is coming, but just the idea of something big is enough to distract us from today. It is totally natural. When this happens, especially if…

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You Cannot Make Yourself Great

Chalk drawing of a stick figure climbing success steps on a blackboard.

Try as we might, we cannot change our status in society. We cannot change how others view us. We cannot change if others honor us or slander us. We can only change how we respond to what God has called us. God has called us to greatness, but by His doing, not ours. BRETHREN, since…

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These Saving Days

Calendar with April 4th circled in red.

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…

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Grant us Master Rest for Body and Soul

Child sleeping peacefully in a cozy bed.

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,…

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Spotless and Unstained Virgin

Religious icon with angels and figures.

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…

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Great Compline Prayer Two

Silhouette of person kneeling at sunset.

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’…

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Great Compline Prayer One

Empty plate with fork and knife crossed.

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…

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