by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher Fasting heals gluttony.  This is a spiritual law.  Because gluttony is an ever-present temptation and common malady among us sinners, fasting must be an ever-present practice in the war against sin.  Make no mistake about it, as Christians we are engaged in a war against sin, and this is a struggle to the death, either the death of sin or our spiritual death and separation from the eternal life given by God in Jesus Christ. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war … [Read more...]

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by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:31-32, 34-36) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law … [Read more...]

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  from Homily 39, “On the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” by St. Philaret of Chernigov When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man were a Galilean (Luke 23:6). Pilate had no doubt of Jesus’ innocence.  But at the same time, not only did personal advantage mean far more to him than Divine truth, but his own personal peace and quiet was dearer to him than people’s rights.  He was happy to grab onto anything, if only to cease his struggle with the Sanhedrin over the truth.  “Is He a Galilean?” asked Pilate, … [Read more...]

from Homily 37 “On the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ,” by St. Philaret of Chernigov My listeners!  Behold what can happen even to the best person!  Peter, who had listened to the instructions of the Lord for so long; Peter, who had taught himself piety before the Lord’s face for so long; Peter, of unspoiled life, who was ready for every good work, whose piety was not merely outward – fell.  Neither the education of a mind enlightened by the truths of heavenly wisdom nor sufficient experience in spiritual life could save Peter from a … [Read more...]

Insensibility and Vainglory from The Ladder, by St. John of Sinai (Klimakos; 570-659) STEP 18: “Insensibility (Gk., anaisthesia) is negligence that has become habit, benumbed thought, the child of predispositions, a snare for zeal, the noose of courage, ignorance of compunction, a door to despair, the mother of forgetfulness which gives birth to loss of the fear of God.  And then she becomes the daughter of her own daughter (i.e., forgetfulness leads to the loss of the fear of God leading to more insensibility). “He who has lost … [Read more...]