Encountering the suffering of someone else can be daunting. You can immediately feel afraid and responsible to say the right thing that fixes the problem you’ve decided there is. Why is it common to have a response rooted in fear when someone shares their pain, confusion, or darkness with you? Why do we often focus …
One of the most incredible acts of mercy I’ve ever seen happened during a YES Trip on Skid Row in Los Angeles. We were at a mission offering clothes and a woman approached us. She was weak and tired and had likely been wearing the clothes on her back for days. Our eyes were immediately …
Our liturgy starts with a powerful phrase: “Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.” The Kingdom of God is here and now. We are here to be a light in the darkness, “now and forever,” in our world that …
The word “service” is often thrown around with positive connotations, but what does this word really mean? Does it mean marking off every Saturday for an organized service project? These projects are so needful and beautiful, but servant-heartedness encompasses more. What is service? Constant. Service is more than time set aside to volunteer at your …
This quote has really impacted me: “You will never look in the eyes of someone who God does not love.” Unfortunately, being human means we struggle with getting annoyed at others and not being able to love them fully. We don’t have to like everyone, but we should love everyone. People should also never know …
St. Seraphim of Sarov says, “Acquire the spirit of peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved.” How do we acquire this spirit of peace in the chaotic highway of our lives? Practice gratitude. Find Christ in every moment. Incorporate statements of gratitude somewhere in your daily routine. Change your thoughts from, “I …
THINKING AND ACTING COMPASSIONATELY Replace Non-Compassionate thoughts with Compassionate Ones. Compassionate acting begins with compassionate thinking. If you have non-compassionate thoughts about someone or a group of people, they are likely to take root and show up in what you say and do towards them. Take the time to replace non-compassionate thoughts with compassionate ones. …
Go where you are called. Each member of the Body of Christ is called into the world to serve it. As we live and breathe each day, we are called in different directions. Some of those calls surprise us. Some are consistent throughout our lives. When you feel called to serve in a particular …
All time is God’s time. When we embrace that Christ is Risen, everything changes. Who we are at every moment is in light of the Resurrection. Every step follows God. Every word praises God. Every choice glorifies God. Spiritual life is all of the time, not some of the time. At any point in time, …
Always ask, Who is Jesus? The way we respond to what’s happening around us should be based in the truth of God’s love for His people. Even within the Orthodox perspective there are varied opinions. Because of this, it’s often difficult to navigate our participation and perspective in politics and social issues. It takes effort …
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