Prayer Chapel Blog

Run, don't walk, to this website!

2010-08-11T18:13:00.003-05:00

I have desired to pray the Divine Office (aka the Liturgy of the Hours) that our clergy pray daily but have never been able to figure out how to use the book. That's why DivineOffice.org is such a Godsend! All the prayers are available for each day, and presented beautifully, both visually, and through their audio podcasts. The lectors read exquisitely well and the music is also quite beautiful. I was very honored when I was asked to contribute some of my music. Run, don't walk to this website!

Special devotions for Holy Week

2010-03-28T13:05:00.001-05:00

I've just posted the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary with the Marian Cenacle Rosary Podcast. There are 2 readings from Fr. Gobbi's book to meditate on (one in the form of a song called "Mother of Sorrows." Visit the Marian Cenacle Rosary Podcast page to listen to the podcast on the player, and pray the special consecration to Mary.

Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries through song and video - one video for each mystery, each video lasting around 5 minutes. A quick and easy way to walk through Holy Week with our Lord. You can find the videos here.

Here's a sample video:

There are 2 Stations of the Cross videos available on my website as well, meditating on the stations. These are also geared for busy people on the go.

Here's one of them:

May you have a blessed Holy Week.

Angels Among Us

2009-12-16T11:24:00.003-05:00

So often, God shows Himself through the most mundane activities of life. To many of us, He is especially evident in nature. The following story was written by a friend of mine, Wendy Grady. It so beautifully points out how God is so present in every detail of our lives, especially through nature.

Five days a week between the hours of 11:30 and 12:30 I walk through a nearby park that winds through majestically tall fir trees and along the clear blue green waters of the Bow River in our lovely city, Calgary, the city I grew up in. I cherish this time alone where I can pray openly or silently pray to myself. Sometimes having wonderful conversations with the Lord, other times just reciting the “Jesus Prayer.” After three years of walking the same paths a strange thing happened. I suddenly noticed a squirrel run across in front of me with a peanut, a peanut? Where on earth did he get a peanut?? I looked all around me but saw no one in sight and obviously we don’t have peanut groves here in Canada. As I continued my walk I kept wondering where on earth did that squirrel find a peanut?

The very next day instead of my usual quick pace, I chose to walk lazily following my normal route, absorbing the bright sunlight and really trying to notice all of God’s wondrous work. I was acutely aware of the dry brown leaves blowing off the trees and rolling along deep in song. Walking along the river I noticed the suns rays sparkling off the crystal clear waters and the geese splashing wildly during their morning bath. Then I saw him, an old man who looked of Jewish descent, short in stature wearing a black hat and long dark overcoat with big pockets. From a distance I could see at least eight to ten squirrels of various grey and black coloring standing up at his feet chattering to him. I came up in total wonderment and asked him if he was feeding them peanuts. Yes he said, I do it every day.

In total surprise I said, “Are you serious? I walk this every day and have never seen you before, how can that be?” The man replied, “Sometimes I come a little later.” The squirrels knew this man most assuredly as they sat up with their tiny paws outstretched. I honestly couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Then he quietly said something about the chickadees being thin this time of year and needing help. As he was speaking I followed his gaze to a branch of a tree less than a foot from my face and there they were! Tiny little chickadees, chattering away hoping the old man would feed them. Suddenly one of them flew in front of me landing on my left shoulder for just a moment. I gently put my right hand out and low and behold one of them landed right in the palm of my hand. Suddenly I was overwhelmed with joy that seemed to bubble up inside of me bursting out like I was a child with a new toy at Christmas. I also noticed the sun somehow seemed brighter. I just kept repeating to the gentlemen, “I can’t believe this; I can’t believe this! I have had chickadees nesting in my yard for years and never once did this happen.”

As I walked away I was in tears from the reality of knowing what I had been missing. Joy!!! At that moment I became fully aware that “joy” had been lacking in my life. It was a real awakening for me. Then I remembered last year while on a Mission in the West Indies a priest had prayed over me asking the Lord to “Bring this woman joy Lord, she needs joy in her life.” At the time I was confused, not fully understanding why he had chosen that word “joy” but now I do.

I truly felt the Lord’s presence; even the sunlight seemed brighter than usual. As I started to leave, squirrels were all around us sitting up begging for peanuts. The old man gently spoke to the squirrels and the tiny chickadees, and I honestly believe they recognized him. As his pockets were now empty, he said he was going home to get more seeds for the birds.

Wow! Lord I don’t know what to say except Thank You! You nourished my soul and brought light to my heart. It reminded me of St Francis, how perfect. Your wonder has never ceased to amaze me Lord. I took it all in like a starving child. The sunlight skipping across the river, the geese bathing and the sheer sheet of ice beginning to form at the water’s edge. This is God’s house. How blessed am I to know you so intimately? Your love for me is astounding. As I finished my walk I couldn’t stop the tears of joy running down my face. How blessed am I this day. Thank you Jesus as you continue to remind me that you are there in the simplest things.
Since that day I have continued to walk the same paths never seeing that gentleman again. I truly believe you sent an Angel to meet me that day.

Advent reflections from Archbishop Joseph Raya

2009-11-30T15:45:00.006-05:00

I'm reading a wonderful book by Archbishop Raya called Christmas: Birth of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ and His Private Life. Archbishop Raya was a prominent Melkite bishop (Melkite being one of the Eastern Catholic churches). Here is a quick bio from Wikipedia: "Joseph Raya (August 15, 1916 – June 10, 2005), born in Zahlé, Lebanon, was a prominent Melkite Greek Catholic archbishop, theologian, civil rights advocate and author. He served as metropolitan of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and All Galilee from 1968 until 1974 and was particularly known for his commitment to seeking reconciliation between Christians, Jews and Muslims. He was also a leading advocate of celebrating the Divine Liturgy in vernacular languages." Books written about Eastern spirituality are often very dense and hard to read because the treatment of the faith is done in such a deep way. What I love about this book (besides the fact that the type is larger and easy to read :-)) is that it's easier to read than most, though still pretty deep. I want to share with you passages which struck me which I hope will bless you in your Advent journey.

from pages 9-11:

. . . St. Paul calls this generous attutide of God kenosis, or "emptiness". He said that Jesus Christ possessed a state that was divine, yet He "did not cling to this quality with God, but emptied himself to assume the condition of slave, and he became as men are." (Phil 2:6, 7)

Kenosis of God Our Lord

Kenosis was for our Lord Jesus Christ such a sublime and sincere attitude that He forbade His apostles to talk about what everybody called "miracles," since for Him these were simple acts of love in favour of the poor and the needy. He called Himself, in the Gospel of Mark, "Son of Man." He corrected the young man who called Him "good Master" by telling him, "There is no good but God Himself." (Mk 10:18). The story of His passion is in every single detail a stunning story of one who is above and beyond human humiliations and blows and even killing. Through the unfolding of this whole amazing event He did not complain, or hurt by any word those who scourged Him, insulted Him and made a mockery of Him. Even after His triumph and resurrection He did not stoop down from His majesty to show them how wrong they were. This attitude of kenosis was one of the most glorious characteristics of the love of our Lord for our humanity and of His identification with us, His respect of our freedom.

Thus God the Son emptied Himself at His very incarnation and birth from all the appearances of glory and the majesty of His divinity in order to appear in the human form which we know and are familiar with. This kenosis Saint Paul calls also "condescension." Saint John Chrysostom says, "The condescension of God is when God does not appear as He really is, but according to the capacity of the one who seeks to contemplate Him."

After having contemplated this kenosis and condescension of the Lord, Saint Gregory of Nyssa (330-400) exclaimed:

If You had not hidden your divinity . . . who would have been able to sustain Your glory? You came down, O beautiful One in a form we can look at, and we can comprehend. You came down, but You covered Your divinity with the mantle of our flesh.

And Saint John Chrysostom (354-407) writes again:

God empties Himself in order to draw us closer to Him and allow us to follow Him to the mountain where He showed Himself to the apostles as He really was: Divine and the very essence of divinity.

Saint Irenaeus (c.200), Bishop of Lyons in France, explains further that the "Word of God manifested God first in creation. But He kept His Trinity and indivisibility a secret from humanity who were not yet ready for such an intimacy. Otherwise," he continued, "man would have despised God."

You can purchase a copy of Christmas: Birth of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ in His Private Life through Madonna House Publications.

Advent has begun

2009-11-29T16:46:00.002-05:00

Today marks the first day of Advent, that most beautiful, and often forgotten, time of year when we can take some time out to reflect upon the coming of Christ. I noticed in a reflection I read today from the Living with Christ missalette, that Christ can come in 3 ways - past, present, and future.

We can reflect on the past, when God condescended to us by sending His Son, who became a man through being born of the Virgin Mary, thus taking on all the weaknesses of flesh (except sin) so that we might become more like Him.

We can reflect on the present, creating a sacred space in our hearts and lives, to make room for Him so that He can be reborn in us yet again.

And we can anticipate the future with hope, waiting for his coming again in glory. Marantha! Come Lord Jesus!

On the Prayer Chapel page, I have created a section for Advent Devotions as found on the Catholic New Media Roundup Advent Calendar. Just click on the day to read, hear, or watch an Advent devotion.

I will also try to share frequently the things I am learning as I go through Advent in this blog.

May the Lord be with you in a new and vibrant way this Advent season!

A podcast about a miraculous intervention - Episode #5 of "How Can I Keep from Singing"

2009-10-20T12:18:00.002-05:00

In this episode of "How Can I Keep from Singing," Susan shares the miraculous turnaround with her mother and God's deliberate intervention.

Links of interest

Sean McGaughey - Catholic New Media Roundup

Sarah Reinhard - just another day of Catholic pondering

Kitty Cleveland - Kitty Cleveland Online, Be Not Afraid CD

Song:

"He Looked at Me" written by Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, performed by Susan Bailey, from Wait with Me: Advent of the Promised Son

Prayer Chapel is now a part of the Mesothelioma Website Spiritual Directory

2009-09-28T10:07:00.001-05:00

I am pleased to announce that the Prayer Chapel (along with GrapeVine, my official website and the Prayer Chapel) are all listed in the Spiritual Resources section of the Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center website (www.maacenter.org)

A statement from Matt Richfield, communications assistant for the site, explains it further: "We provide the most comprehensive mesothelioma information on the net. Mesothelioma is a nearly always fatal cancer which is caused by exposure to asbestos. Persons diagnosed with mesothelioma face an extremely difficult battle and the very real prospect of death. At this critical point in one’s life many people turn toward religion to help them cope with their suffering and to assist them in answering life’s most important questions.

In our ongoing effort to meet the needs of our visitors we have created a directory of spiritual resources. We view this directory as one of the most meaningful resources our site can provide. But we need your help to bring this idea to fruition."

I am thrilled to be part of this organization's site. Please visit the site to find out more about what they are doing to combat this deadly form of cancer. The direct link to the directory is http://www.maacenter.org/support/spiritualresources.php and you can find my sites by typing in North Grafton, MA for the location.

Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

2009-09-25T14:55:00.001-05:00

Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is something we are all called to do, but so few actually do. Our own mothers, father, sisters, brothers, children, relatives, and friends are probably there, and they are completely unable to pray for themselves or to do anything to lessen their time of expiation. They need us to pray for them.

Some of the best ways we can do this includes having Masses said for them, praying the "Stations of the Cross" for them, and other prayers. One of the best-known prayers is one given to St. Gertrude. She was told that with each devout recitation, 1,000 souls would be released from Purgatory. That prayer goes like this:

"Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in union with the Masses celebrated throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home, and in my family."

Let us always pray for them, and do what we can through penance and mortification, to lessen or eliminate our own time in Purgatory. St. Teresa de Avila has pointed out to us that we do not HAVE to go to Purgatory; in fact, God would rather that we NOT go there.

So, please pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory!

In honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

2009-09-15T14:08:00.002-05:00

I have a song that I posted back on Good Friday called "Mary, Mother of Sorrows," shown on the player below. If you scroll up a notch on the player, you can click on the song and meditate for a moment on Our Lady of Sorrows on this, her feast day.

St Therese the contemplative kid

2009-08-27T09:10:00.004-05:00

I read such a lovely passage today in The Story of a Soul today about Therese's discovery of mental prayer (or contemplation) around the time of her First Communion. It really touched me and I've been keeping that mental picture in my head ever since. This picture gives me such a strong desire to do the same. I've included the passage here, beginning with the paragraph before it to give it a point of reference:

I had Marie, too, who took Pauline's place. Every evening I spent a long time with her, listening eagerly to all she said. How delightfully she talked to me! I felt myself set on fire by her noble, generous spirit. As the warriors of old trained their children in the profession of arms, so she trained me for the battle of life, and roused my ardour by pointing to the victor's glorious palm. She spoke, too, of the imperishable riches which are so easy to amass each day, and of the folly of trampling them under foot when one has but to stoop and gather them. When she talked so eloquently, I was sorry that I was the only one to listen to her teaching, for, in my simplicity, it seemed to me that the greatest sinners would be converted if they but heard her, and that, forsaking the perishable riches of this world, they would seek none but the riches of Heaven.

I should have liked at this time to practise mental prayer, but Marie, finding me sufficiently devout, only let me say my vocal prayers. A mistress at the Abbey asked me once what I did on holidays, when I stayed at home. I answered timidly: "I often hide myself in a corner of my room where I can shut myself in with the bed curtains, and then I think." "But what do you think about?" said the good nun, laughing. "I think about the Good God, about the shortness of life, and about eternity: in a word, I _think."_ My mistress did not forget this, and later on she used to remind me of the time when I thought, asking me if I still _thought._ . . . Now, I know that I was really praying, while my Divine Master gently instructed me.

You can see where Therese began to learn of her little way to God - it was a family affair. I can see that nothing comes from a vacuum; there's always someone in your life (or several someones) who lead you to where you are. We are all so connected in such complex ways and even as I write this, I think on the essence of God and how totally HUGE He is.

One of the biggest revelations I've had this year is learning about the essence of God. You can hear it over and over again that God is omnipotent, eternal, glorious. But a particular book beautifully written by a Benedictine monk on the famous icon of the Trinity painted by Andre Rublev brought that essence of God home to me in a new way.

And here little Therese knew about that essence in her soul, at 10 years old! God certainly poured a multitude of graces into this girl!

It makes me desire such graces too as I continue to read about her.

p.s. The Story of a Soul is available online for free! It's at http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=199979&pageno=1. You can download the book too. Gotta love technology!

Holiness just takes a smile

2009-08-26T09:49:00.003-05:00

One of the things that is most attractive to me about the spirituality of St. Therese is her simplicity. She makes sainthood possible, and not only possible but very desirable. I find when I focus on her little way, I want to become a saint. It is very evident from her short life that it really is in the details where it matters. The little gestures we make can change a life, including our own.

This morning on that taped series, I 'heard' St. Therese share how a simple smile could have such an impact, not only on the individual, but on herself as well. She shared how difficult it was at first to offer a smile to sisters that she didn't like. She had to work hard at it but eventually it got easier and easier as she turned her focus to smiling for Jesus. We are the icons of Jesus, all of us, so we should always have a smile ready for anyone!

She also spoke of holding her tongue and avoiding the temptation to argue.

Both of these points really hit home with me in the way I deal with my mother. Mothers, as you know, are experts at pushing 'hot buttons.' I know I do it with my own kids. And I keep falling for it and react with a scowl and a cross word. I'm slowly becoming more aware of this pattern, but I long so to channel St. Therese and respond to these 'hot buttons' with just a smile, both on my face, and in my voice. Jesus is in my mother. I love her, and I love Jesus. Doesn't that merit a smile?

My mother doesn't believe in Jesus. I want Jesus to shine through me so she can see Him. But how can that happen if I allow these petty things to get in the way?

Today I vow to arm myself with smile when I see her, and I will ask St. Therese for her intercession.

Is there anyone in your life that needs your smile today?

St. Therese, her father, and her "feast" day

2009-08-20T10:11:00.004-05:00

I am amazed how much Story of a Soul is speaking to me now! When I tried to read it over 10 years ago, I couldn't get beyond the first chapter. St. Therese is very child-like and sentimental in the way she writes and it frankly put me off. Obviously I did not possess the child-like heart that she spoke with, and I couldn't hear and absorb her words of wisdom until my heart had been softened to be more like a child's heart. At any rate, now I find her words to be very profound, even on the simplest matters.

Take for example, what I read about today. I'm in the middle of Chapter II - Les Buissonnets (1877-1881). Therese has lost her mother to breast cancer and the family has moved to Lisieux. She acknowledged changes in her personality from buoyant and outgoing to more subdued, serious, reflective and sensitive. Her grief and longing for her mother was very deep, although she had a hard time expressing it, being so young at the time. Yet, despite this grief, her joy in God and her ever-expanding knowledge of Him was geniune and infectious. I loved reading about how much Sundays meant to her - that each Sunday was a "feast" - "it was God's feast, and a fest of rest." as she puts it. She went on to describe a typical Sunday in her family with all the rituals, and how much it meant to her to see her father so in love with the Lord. His prayer posture especially impacted on her - he was, to her, what embodied a saint.

The thought that stuck me the most though was this: "This joyous day, passing all too quickly, had its tinge of melancholy. I remember how my happiness was unmixed until Compline [the liturgical night prayer of the Church]. During this prayer, I would begin thinking that the day of rest was coming to an end, that the morrow would bring with it the necessity of beginning life over again, we would have to go back to work, to learning lessons, etc., and my heart felt the exile of this earth. I longed for the everlasting repose of heaven . . ." (Chapter 2, pg. 42). I remember once attending Divine Liturgy at the Melkite Church, one of the first times I attended with Rich (my husband, soon be to become a deacon in the Melkite Church). The service was lovely and there was a get-together of the congregation afterwards in the parish hall for food and fellowship. After we left, I felt this sense of peace, and experienced a memory, rather like a deja-vu moment, of what Sunday used to be like, when it centered around church and family and home. Stores were closed, time slowed down, we actually rested. Our family would have dinner in the afternoon and sandwiches at night in front of the TV (our weekly special treat). I used to really enjoy those Sunday afternoon dinners.

I remember hearing in the taped series on St. Therese how her father refused to open for business on Sundays, despite the fact that everyone around him was open (he was a watchmaker).

I believe our society has really lost out by losing the meaning of Sunday as a day of rest. Even our family falls prey - I often do our weekly food shopping on Sundays (but try to remember to do it on Saturday instead). There's never a time anymore where people just stop what they're doing and reflect on their lives. The noise of our daily lives is so dense that the voice of God cannot be heard.

But it's more than just losing out on Sunday rest. It's also about noticing the difference between the sweet taste of heaven and the sometimes bitter taste of earth. I felt a pang when St. Therese mentioned the exile of this earth - surely anyone who has experienced a particularly powerful and moving Sunday liturgy, or gone on retreat, knows this feeling. How blessed she was to have felt that every single Sunday!

Yes, Therese had an unusual love and devotion for God at an early age, but her family set the example by making Sunday a special day of rest. They rested from work, and they rested from daily cares, making ample time to devote to the Lord, whether it be going to mass or sharing time together as a family praying or reading spiritual writings. And because they rested, they got to experience the sweet taste of heaven, a taste that Therese so longed for between Sundays.

Quiet. Rest. Elements we need to hear the soft and loving voice of our Lord in our hearts.

Leonie Martin - the shadow sister of St. Therese

2009-08-19T12:51:00.005-05:00

I enjoyed hearing about St. Therese's family on on the taped series, St. Therese of Lisieux: From Her Heart to Yours. I was particularly moved by the description of an older sister, Leonie (pictured left), who was designated as the 'black sheep' of the family because she wasn't as gifted intellectually, was plainer looking, and was quite rebellious. Leonie tried to enter the convent several times (first the Poor Clares and then the Vistitation order founded by Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal) but her poor health kept sending her back home. Although it took her many years to find her place, the place where God wanted her to be, she persevered. Despite the doubts of her family and the bitter disappointments of numerous failures due to poor health, Leonie fullfilled her vocation as a religious, and successfully too. Therese described Leonie as a very holy nun with a sly sense of humor.

It sounds like Leonie was a late bloomer and struggled greatly to realize God's will in her life. Her story is touching - you can read more about here here.

Being a late bloomer myself (life for me really culminated at 50), and having struggled for years to find my place too in God's plan, Leonie's life and struggles really speak to me. Stories like Leonie's make me feel like I have a chance to be a saint too, despite all my faults.

I will have to add her to my list of saints to intercede for me.

St. Therese never fails to speak to me

2009-08-17T08:30:00.003-05:00

I happened to catch a program on CatholicTV.org the other night about the spirituality of St. Therese. It was very early in the morning, before dawn, and I was having a hard time sleeping. The presenter wasn't a terribly skilled speaker but the content of his talk caught my attention anyway. I had the privilege of attending a 3 day mini-retreat at our parish in honor of St. Therese, held by the Teresian Carmelites of Worcester, MA. One of their sisters presented a one woman play on St. Therese, taking on her character, and talking about her life and spirituality. It affected me profoundly and I never forgot it. St. Therese's "little way" gave me hope that perhaps I could become a saint. It certainly made it something I wanted to do!

I was lucky because the Paulist Press released a multi-tape series on this mini-retreat. It's called St Therese: From Her Heart to Yours. The program I saw on CatholicTV made me dig it up and start listening. Today's lesson was on the Cross in St. Therese's life. She was saying how people tend to romanticize her life with roses in her arms, saying how sweet she was and how blessed her life was, without suffering. She wanted to make clear that suffering was indeed a BIG part of her life although she hid it so successfully no one was aware. She asked her Mother Prioress, also her sister Pauline, to make her suffering known to the world. This was done when Pauline commissioned Therese to write The Story of a Soul, a book I have started to read.

St. Therese's spiritualiy is most welcome to me right now, especially her teaching on the Cross and how to carry it well in our lives. She spoke of an older sister whom she cared for who was difficult and demanding. She volunteered to help this sister when no one else would because she saw Jesus in this nun and wanted to please Him. She went a step further and offered what she called "loving kindness" to this nun by offering to cut her bread, and she smiled as she did it. At Therese's death, this nun noted how much that gesture meant to her. That struck me to the core, thinking how I deal with my difficult and demanding 90 year old mother, often with frowns and a bad attitude. I resolved today to offer more smiles and acts of loving kindness to her, and to resist the urge to get angry or complain.

No wonder St. Therese is a doctor of the Church! Her 'medicine' of spirituality sure helped me.

St John Vianney really spoke to my heart with this reflection

2009-08-17T08:28:00.003-05:00

I was sent this reflection by a friend via email. I was feeling down because of a fight with my daughter and desired God's consolation. This reflection helped a lot even though it didn't deal with the problem directly. I hope it speaks to you too.

Man has a noble task: that of prayer and love. To pray and to love, that is the happiness of man on earth.

Prayer is nothing else than union with God. When the heart is pure and united with God it is consoled and filled with sweetness; it is dazzled by a marvellous light .

In this intimate union, God and the soul are like two pieces of wax moulded into one; they cannot any more be separated. It is a very wonderful thing, this union of God with his insignificant creature; happiness passing all understanding.

We had deserved to be left incapable of praying; but God in his goodness has permitted us to speak to him. Our prayer is an incense that is delightful to God.

My children, your hearts are small, but prayer enlarges them and renders them capable of loving God.

Prayer is a foretaste of heaven, an overflowing of heaven. It never leaves us without sweetness; it is like honey, it descends into the soul and sweetens everything.

In a prayer well made, troubles vanish like snow under the rays of the sun.

Prayer makes time seem to pass quickly, and so pleasantly that one fails to notice how long it is.

You won't believe what made the front cover of today's Boston Globe!

2009-08-10T08:53:00.004-05:00

Perpetual Adoration is resuming in Boston, praise God! It made the front page of the Globe, amazing. Click here to read the article.

Final Theosis podcast - May 1, Friday of the Third Week of Easter

2009-05-03T11:12:00.005-05:00

This will be the final episode of Theosis that will be posted on the Prayer Chapel website. However, there are more episodes, running up to Pentecost and beyond. You are welcome to listen to them at http://www.isidorescorner.typepad.com/theosis/page/1/ . Note that the dates are off by by 4 days because the podcast originally aired in 2006 (for example, Friday, May 5, 2006 on the Theosis website corresponds with Friday, May 1, 2009).

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Our meditation today comes from the words of Saint Peter and Saint Gregory of Nyssa about life in the Trinity.

Both our life in the flesh and our life in the spirit begin and end with the Trinity. It is the Holy Trinity that makes us, that shapes us on our journey in holiness and that is the destination of that journey. In Christ's resurrection, we have found the Trinity that saves us. We rejoice because in finding the Trinity, we have seen that God keeps no part of himself behind in his desire for our redemption. For no one can come to Jesus but through the Father and the Spirit and no one can come to the Father but through the Son and the Spirit and we only have the Spirit through the power of the Father and the Son.

April 30, Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

2009-04-30T06:21:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today we meditate upon the words of Saint Paul and Saint John Damascene about the Cross as a sign of the Resurrection.

Our prayers begin and end with the Sign of the Cross. The Sign of the Cross is the sign of our faith in the Trinity, in the death and resurrection of our Lord. Therefore, our encounter with God is made in the grace of the Trinity, in the reality of Christ's death and resurrection. It is our sign to ourselves, it our sign to others about the faith that we hold. So, let us make this sign often and let us make this sign respectfully, not haphazardly because the reverence by which we make this sign is itself a sign of the reverence of our faith.

April 29, Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

2009-04-29T06:33:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today we meditate upon the words of Isaiah and Hippolytus about perseverence during the Easter season.

We are in the season of Easter, a season of joy, but this does not mean that we will not continue to face trials as we strive to truly become united with our Resurrected Lord. Yet, it is in these trials that we have faith that we who have joined ourselves to the suffering of Christ will also be joined in his Resurrection - that it is because of what Christ has accomplished in his own rising that our trials will too bear fruit. That, as Isaiah says, our desert will exult and we will one day see the glory of the Lord and the splendor of our God.

April 28, Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

2009-04-28T05:32:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Our meditations for today come from the Book of Psalms and the words of St. Leo the Great about the wondrous love of God.

Continuing on our Easter journey, let us not loose sight of God's constant protection and care. He always remains faithful to his promises, including the promise of life in the Resurrection. Let our Easter be filled with the joy offered to us in the Holy Trinity that indeed shows us the path of life, that instructs us, chastens us and transforms us into the holy sons and daughters of God. Let us free ourselves and others from all things which might diminish or detract from this joy and give our whole lives in praise to the Lord.

April 27, Monday of the Third Week of Easter

2009-04-27T06:25:00.003-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today we meditate upon the words of the First Letter of Saint John and Saint Irenaeus about the forgiveness of God.

All that God has done for us should inspire us to offer continuous praise and thanksgiving to him, most especially the gift of everlasting life set before us in the Resurrection. In contemplating this wondrous event, we see more and more our complete reliance upon the grace and goodness of the Lord. These blessings are also signs of the wonders of the Resurrection, that Christ is not dead but lives and his life is the life of the world.

April 26, Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women

2009-04-27T06:22:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

The angel sat by the tomb and called to the Myrrh Bearing Women, “Myrrh is for the dead, but Christ has shown Himself to be free from corruption. Therefore, shout out, “The Lord has risen and has blessed the world with great mercy.’” – Troparian of the Myrrh Bearing Women

Today is the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women and we will meditate upon the words of the Gospel of Mark and Saint Gregory Nazianzen about faith in the Resurrection.

This Sunday and last the question being put forth is whether we believe in Jesus' resurrection. In a world dominated by science and reason, it can be difficult to accept the reality of the divine around us. While God has indeed given us a mind with which think, he has also given a soul with which to believe. Our journey through the Easter season is thus a time to look at exercising our souls, to open our minds more to the wonders of God in our lives.

Be sure to visit the website at isidorescorner.com/theosis

Christ, our God, after You spoke with the Myrrh Bearing Women, You wiped away the tears of Eve, our first mother, and told the other women to bear the good news of your rising from the tomb to the disciples. – Kontakion of the Myrrh Bearing Women

April 25, Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

2009-04-25T09:29:00.003-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Our meditation today comes from the words of Saint Paul and Saint Cyprian about seeking Christ.

Part of living our lives in the light of the Resurrected Christ is the real striving to seek Christ in all things, to be Christ in all things. Certainly Lent was a time of striving to conform ourselves to Christ, but so is the time of Easter. Indeed, if we have truly sought to be one with him, we will truly act in such a way as to help make that desire a reality.

April 24, Friday of the Second Week of Easter

2009-04-24T08:37:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

We meditate today upon the words of the Book of Hebrews and Saint Gregory Nazianzen about the importance of forgiveness during the Eastern season.

As we continue through the Easter season and we continue to show forth the signs of the Resurrection, one of those signs is the reality of forgiveness in Christ and our responsibility to show that forgiveness to others so that they too may come to experience the presence of the risen Lord in their lives. St. Gregory goes so far as to say that we should call them brother and sister, in this way we will become perfect as Christ our Lord is perfect.

April 23, Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

2009-04-23T09:01:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

We meditate today upon the words of Saint Paul and Saint Gregory the Great about the Eucharist and the Resurrection.

The joy that we have in the promise of the Resurrection has its source in the grace of the Eucharist. It is the Eucharist that transforms us into the likeness of Christ. It is the Eucharist that gives us the strength to proclaim Christ's victory over death. Therefore, as we continue our Easter journey we must be sure to be fed at the table of the Eucharist, to receive the viaticum of the Lord.

April 22, Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter

2009-04-22T09:13:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Our meditation for today comes from the First Letter of Peter and the words of Saint Athanasius expressing the joy of our salvation.

One way we have of showing the world the reality of Christ's resurrection is through the joy that we have. Peter calls this an indescribable and glorious joy. Athanasius speaks of a great celebration and of the incredible joy of heaven. As others witness our joy, they too will come to experience what we have experienced - the reality of our salvation and they too will be filled with the grace and love of God.

April 21, Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter

2009-04-21T09:08:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today we meditate upon the words of the Prophet Isaiah and Theodoret about our responsibility to proclaim the good news of Christ's resurrection.

Through the grace of the Resurrection, all of humanity has been reborn into new life. Through the grace of the Spirit, we are called to spread this news to others - it is not for ourselves alone. In what way were we freed, if not through the Resurrection. In what way were the ashes of mourning removed, if not through Christ's victory over death? We cannot keep this good news hidden, we must share it with the world.

April 20, Monday of the Second Week of Easter

2009-04-21T09:02:00.003-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today we meditate upon the words of the Book of Psalms and Saint Maximus the Confessor about Christ's victory in the flesh.

In Christ, our mortality has become immortality. The very flesh by which the First Adam was drawn into sin and death, has - in the Second Adam - become the means by which sin and death have been overcome. Our flesh, empowered by the grace of Christ, is now oriented toward the resurrection and eternal life. Death has no more power for Christ has overcome death.

April 19, Sunday of Saint Thomas - a special song for Easter plus the Theosis podcast

2009-04-19T12:39:00.002-05:00

Listen to "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" from Handel's Messiah, as sung by Susan Bailey, recorded live at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Westboro, MA. Think of Thomas' statement of faith when he saw Jesus, and think of your own faith in His resurrection.

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Christ, our God, Thomas touched your life-giving side with His seeking hand and, since You entered the room through closed doors, he cried out with the other Apostles, “My Lord and my God!” – Kontakion of the Sunday of Saint Thomas

On the Sunday of Saint Thomas we reflect upon the words of the Gospel of John and Saint John Cassian about believing in the Resurrection.

When looking at the sad and dark places in our lives and in the world, it can be difficult to fully accept the reality of Christ rising from the dead. But Christ has compassion on our difficulties and continues to call upon us to touch his hands and his side, to doubt no more. They say seeing is believing, but sometimes it is only through believing that we have the eyes to see the true wonders of the Resurrection.

Let us see and believe. Be sure to visit the website at isidorescorner.com/theosis

Christ, our Life, You rose from the sealed tomb and even though the doors were closed, You came before Your disciples and breathed into them a new spirit, You our God, our resurrection! You are full of mercy. – Troparion of the Sunday of St. Thomas.

April 18, Bright Saturday

2009-04-19T12:36:00.003-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

We reflect today upon the words of the Letter to the Hebrews and Saint Irenaeus about our salvation.

The Good News of the Resurrection is that God wants us to be healed, to be made whole, to be saved. Our God truly wants what is absolutely the best for us and does all in his power to make it so. He made us, he healed us, he saves us. Knowing this, how can we not be filled with hope and joy over his great goodness to us?

April 17, Bright Friday

2009-04-17T06:52:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

You bless me with the unending flow of the streams of grace surpassing all human conception which come from your never failing wellsprings most blessed Birthgiver of God. I beseech you who incomprehensibly bore the Word to restore me with your holy grace and I will praise you saying, Rejoice, O Water of Salvation. – Kontakion of the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring of the Theotokos

Today we celebrate Mary as the Source of Joy and the Well of Living Water with a meditation upon the Gospel of Luke and the words of Saint Gregory Palamas.

As we strive to discover the presence of the risen Lord in our lives and open ourselves to the gifts of the Spirit, we depend upon the prayers and intercession of the Blessed Mother. As she gave birth to the Word made Flesh, we too are called to bring forth Christ into the world. As she was filled with the grace of the Spirit, we too are called to be filled with this same Spirit and to participate in the world's continuing sanctification.

O Virgin and Birthgiver of the Spring, you pour forth grace upon me and inspire my speech that I may praise your Spring from which flows life and grace for all who believe; for you did indeed cause the Incarnate Word to come forth. – Canon of the Theotokos

You who wish to be healthy, hurry to the Spring, for the grace of the Virgin Mother resides there. Rejoice and be glad, for in her temple, all you many faithful shall have all your prayers answered according to your needs. ¬– Matins of the Feast of the Life Giving Spring

April 16, Bright Thursday

2009-04-16T06:21:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Our meditation today comes from the Letter to the Hebrews and the words of Saint Athanasius about praising God during the Easter season.

Through Christ, we who were once separated from God have now become one with him especially in our participation in the Holy Liturgy. The Liturgy or Mass that we celebrate today is a participation in the Divine Liturgy of Heaven where we will continuously offer praise and glory to the God who has saved us. Therefore, our Easter celebration is a liturgical celebration through which we discover the Risen Lord in the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

April 15, Bright Wednesday

2009-04-15T15:32:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today we reflect upon the words of Saint Paul to the Romans and Saint Basil about the reason for our Easter joy.

Christ became one of us, he suffered and died and rose for us for one reason - that we who had become separated from God would once more united with him. We who have striven to imitate Christ during the season of Lent also did this for one reason - that we might be made one with God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

April 14, Bright Tuesday

2009-04-14T09:01:00.003-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

On Bright Tuesday, we reflect upon the words of Saint Paul to the Ephesians and the Council in Trullo about the joy of Easter.

This entire week is to be one long celebration of our Easter joy through participation in the life of the Church. Our sins have been forgiven, our glorious future has been shown to us. Now, we are called to share this joy with the world - to bring forth the good news that our world has been redeemed and made holy. Let us proclaim to all peoples that Christ is risen.

April 13, Bright Monday

2009-04-13T09:15:00.002-05:00

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

For Bright Monday, we meditate upon the words of Saint Paul and Saint Clement to the Corinthians about the signs of the Resurrection.

As Lent was a time of conforming ourselves to Christ, the Easter season is a time of opening ourselves to the many signs of God at work in our lives. The most visible sign of this is through the celebration of the Eucharist, where - just like those on the way to Emmaus - we find the most visible sign of Christ's resurrection and glorification. As Saint Clement shows us, there are others as well.

April 12, Easter Sunday - a special song and a special podcast

2009-04-12T08:42:00.004-05:00

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
Christos Voskrese! Voistino Voskrese! Christos Anesti!
Alithos Anesti! Al-Maseeh quam! Haqqan qam!

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen to a special song, "He's Alive!" by Susan Bailey, and then listen to the next installment of Theosis from Easter Devotions for Busy People:

Today is Easter Sunday and we will rejoice by reflecting upon the words of the Gospel of Saint Luke and writings from the Church Fathers and the Eastern Liturgy on this glorious day.

We have arrived at Easter, the Feast of Feasts, and we celebrate our liberation from sin, our entry into freedom. We are no longer separated from the Lord, but have been made one - united with him in his resurrection. While the Lenten season was the time for us to examine our relationship with the Lord, the Easter season is the time to discover the presence of God in our lives. To see the working of the Word and the Spirit among us.

Easter Homily of Saint John Chrysostom

This homily is read during the liturgy of Easter Sunday in all Eastern Church.

Let every faithful soul that loves God enjoy this glorious and bright celebration; let every faithful servant happily enter into the joy of his Master! May the one who has been fasting now receive his wages, and the one who has worked from the very beginning obtain his true reward! If anyone did not begin until after the third hour, let him too join in the feast of thanksgiving; let the one who waited until after the sixth hour not be afraid to also join in the celebration! If you waited until the ninth hour, come freely; and even if you did not labor until the eleventh hour do not fear on account of your delay. Our God provides generously for the last as for the first; He offers rest to the one who began last to work as to the one who has worked from the beginning. He has mercy on the last and serves the first; he praises the first as he cares for the last. He is grateful for any good in labor or intention; He praises the work and the worker.

So, come all and enter into your Master’s joy: both the first and the last will receive the treasure. Gather rich and poor together: whether you fasted or feasted, honor this day. Whether you abstained or indulged, be joyous for the table is laden and you may partake of it without fear. No one will go hungry, as there is sufficient fatted calf for everyone. Come and partake of the table of faith; each will enjoy the fullness of mercy. None shall be left poor for the Kingdom has been made manifest; none shall weep for his sins for Forgiveness has arisen from the tomb; none will again fear death for we have been freed by the death of the Lord: in dying He has destroyed death; in entering Hades He has vanquished it; Hades thought it swallowed Him, but has found the taste bitter. Just as the Prophet Isaiah foretold, “Hades became overwhelmed when it encountered You below the ground; it was overwhelmed when it was deceived; it was overwhelmed because it was defeated; it was overwhelmed because it was destroyed. It thought it had taken a corpse, but it encountered God; it tried to capture earth and encountered heaven! It tried to seize the visible and was overcome by the invisible.

Death where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen and you are thrown down; Christ is risen and the demons have been cast aside; Christ is risen and the angels joyfully praise; Christ is risen and Life is victorious; Christ is risen and the tombs have been emptied, for Christ indeed is the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

April 11, Holy Saturday

2009-04-11T08:00:00.003-05:00

Mary, Mother of Sorrows (Good Friday and Holy Saturday)

2009-04-10T13:57:00.004-05:00

Listen to a song of our Mother of Sorrows on this Good Friday:

Here are the lyrics.

Mother of Sorrows
based on reading #492 of To the Priests, Our Lady’s Beloved Sons,
compiled by Don Stefano Gobbi

There she stands, the Blessed Mother
Beneath the cross where her son was hung.
Close and faithful, the tears are flowing
From the heart so pierced with the sword of anguish.

Can she be consoled, Mother of Sorrows?

There she is, close to the tomb
Where lies the lifeless body of her Son
She is close to the graves of many
Who, like her Son were lost, abandoned, forgotten

Can she be consoled, Mother of Sorrows?

Oh Mother, full of grace
The tears, they stream down your face
For all those little ones the world forgets
The baby never born
The child, abused and scorned
And all the poor and forlorn souls of this world

She kept a vigil for her beloved
Who slept in death till He rose again.
She still keeps vigil for her beloved
Children of Jesus, we will rise again!

She will be consoled, Mother of Sorrows.

©1996 Susan W. Bailey

April 10, Good Friday - Pray all 5 Sorrowful Mysteries with the video; listen to Theosis

2009-04-10T10:30:00.002-05:00

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Lenten Devotions for Busy People:

When You were crucified, O Christ our God, the power of the evil one was overcome and his cruelty was overthrown. Truly it was neither an angel nor a man, who saved us, but it was You Yourself, O Lord. All glory be to You. – Troparion of the Royal Hours

On Good Friday, we meditate upon the words of the Gospel of Mark and Saint Ignatius of Antioch abour our Lord's Passion.

Today is a day of great sorrow as we reflect upon the result of our sinfulness. For our sins, Jesus suffered and died. Yet, our Saviour willingly went to the Cross for love of us. He willingly gave up his life so that we might live. So, today is a day of great thankfulness as well. How great a love our God has for us and how great is is desire that we share in this love with him.

Though He was eternally glorified as God; now He would be glorified by wearing the blessed Crown of His obedience. He was not forced to give up His life, nor was He put to death by unrestrained coercion. Indeed, He gave up His life of His own accord. Pay attention to His words, “I have power to lay down My life, and I have power to take it again.” [John 10:18] That is, “By My own choice, I surrender My life to My enemies; for unless I accepted it, this could not have happened.” Therefore, He undertook His passion of His own free will, rejoicing in His noble undertaking. He was pleased to accept the crown and was overjoyed by the salvation of humanity. - Cyril [Thirteenth Catechetical Lecture, VI]

Special Good Friday Rosary Intention

Imagine what might happen if every Catholic in the world would pray a Rosary on the same day! We have an example in October of 1573, when Europe was saved from the invasion of the mighty Turkish fleet, by the praying of the Rosary by all Christians!

So, on Good Friday, let's all pray a Rosary for the intention of ending abortion and an end to terrorism. If possible, please pray your Rosary between noon and 3:00pm.

Also, please e-mail this message to all the Catholic on your address list, and ask them to pass it along to every Catholic on their lists.

Let's unite in praying one of the most powerful prayers on one of the holiest days, for this increasingly urgent intention.

If you wanted to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary along with the videos, I've included all 5 of them here in this post, beginning with the First Sorrowful Mystery:

April 9, Holy Thursday

2009-04-09T06:20:00.002-05:00

April 8, Holy Wednesday

2009-04-08T08:39:00.003-05:00

April 7, Tuesday of Holy Week - Fourth Sorrowful Mystery Video + Theosis podcast

2009-04-07T06:30:00.003-05:00

Pray the Fourth Sorrowful Mystery today, singing your prayers:

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Lenten Devotions for Busy People:

Today we meditate upon the Gospel of Saint Matthew and the words of Saint John Chrysostom on the importance of charity.

Coming to the end of Lent, where yesterday we spoke of God's patience, today we look at the need for us to act now. Now is the time to prepare ourselves to participate in the Lord's death and resurrection, now is the time to strive ardently to follow the path of the Lord. Yes, if we have up to now delayed, God's patiences means that we can even now set on the path, but God's patience is not an excuse for putting off our conversion. Do not miss out on the wedding feast, store up oil for yourselves through almsgiving and charity especially among those most in need of the love of God.

April 6, Monday of Holy Week

2009-04-06T08:41:00.002-05:00

April 5, Palm Sunday

2009-04-05T05:43:00.003-05:00

April 4, Saturday of the Sixth Week of Lent - Lazarus Saturday

2009-04-05T05:40:00.003-05:00

Possible interruption to Lenten Devotions

2009-04-04T07:06:00.001-05:00

Our internet, cable and phone are being switched over to another provider (and being upgraded) today which may interrupt our service over this weekend. As soon as we have internet again, I will post today's episodes and any episodes missed.

Thanks for understanding. Peace!

April 3, Friday of the Sixth Week of Lent - Pray the 3rd Mystery of the Rosary with the video, listen to the podcast

2009-04-03T07:01:00.003-05:00

Take 7 minutes and pray the Third Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary:

Pray all 5 sorrowful mysteries here: http://www.youtube.com/user/susanbaileycatholic

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen to the next installment of Theosis from Lenten Devotions for Busy People:

Our meditation for today comes from the Letter of James and the words of Saint John Cassian about God's grace.

Each of us is at different points on the journey, but God deals with us where we are to some he inspires continued labors, to others he strives to motivate the very beginnings of conversion. In all cases, it is he who supplies both the desire to become better and the means to accomplish that desire. The ways by which God inspires us differ, but the desire that we be saved remains the same.

April 2, Thursday of the Sixth Week of Lent

2009-04-02T06:42:00.002-05:00

April 1, Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Lent

2009-04-01T06:16:00.002-05:00

March 31, Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Lent

2009-03-31T06:17:00.002-05:00

March 30, Monday of the Sixth Week of Lent

2009-03-29T20:10:00.002-05:00

March 29, Sunday of the Fifth Week of Lent - Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt

2009-03-28T17:36:00.004-05:00

Note: There are 2 special episodes for this day - the regular podcast and a compelling story of St. Mary of Egypt. Her story is sure to move you and bless you.

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

Though she was once filled with all kinds of vice, through repentance she now appears as the bride of Christ. Leading an angelic life, she defeats the devils with the help of the Cross. Therefore, the virtuous Mary has become a bride of the Kingdom. [Kontakion of the Fifth Sunday of Lent]

Today is the Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt and we will mediate upon the Book of Revelation and the words of Saint John Chrysostom about the mediation of the saints.

Remembering the life of Saint Mary of Egypt allows us to see that even in our sins, there is a plentitude of God's mercy - that none of is beyond the power of God's love. Mary's story also reminds us that we are always aided, protected, and supported by the angels and the saints, we do not struggle through these trials and difficulties alone. Trusting in this great support, let us press onward to the destination, to the reward that awaits us.

Saint Mary of Egypt

Listen on the player:

After spending five weeks in Lent dealing with our sinfulness, there is a danger of overly focusing on our sins and of paying insufficient attention to the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thus, the Eastern Church includes a particular remembrance of the life of Saint Mary of Egypt during this penitential season, especially as part of the recitation of the Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete on the Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent and on the Sunday of the Fifth Week of Lent.

The life of Saint Mary reminds us that all are subject to temptation and all, save Christ and the Virgin Mary, have committed sins – sometimes even very grave sins. Yet even the most grievous sinner is not beyond the power of God’s forgiveness as Saint Mary of Egypt would be the first to claim. In the same way, the Church emphasizes that we too, despite our sins, have but to respond to God’s call and we too can be saved.

Mary’s life is a model of sin, repentance, and redemption. She spent much of her life as a prostitute eager for the acquisition of many lovers, went to the holy city of Jerusalem where she repented, and spent the rest of her life seeking always to follow the will of God. In the same way, we also have acquired many lovers besides the Lord such as money, power, fame, time, and security. Lent gives us an opportunity to follow Mary to Jerusalem to witness and repent at the live saving passion and resurrection of our Lord. Having repented and been reconciled, we can also follow Mary’s example and dedicate ourselves to serve the Lord for the rest of our lives.

Mary’s story also reminds us that throughout our own struggles with temptation and sin, we are blessed with the prayers and intercessions of the holy saints and angels who strive with us in our battles against evil. Foremost of these intercessors is the Most Blessed Virgin Mary who helped lead St. Mary of Egypt to redemption and will help us who turn to her as well. As we approach the Great and Holy Week of Our Lord’s Passion, do not despair in the face of the many temptations calling us to return to our previous way of living, rather keep in mind the life of Saint Mary of Egypt and keep praying to the Mother of our Lord.

These are the words to the Syriac hymn being sung during the episode:

Open, O Lord, unto me Thy door which is full of mercies, As Thou didst open it unto the adulteress woman. Accept from me the tears which I am offering, And grant me the forgiveness of sins. I have taken Thee, O Water of Life, on my journey, So that I do not ask for water from Abraham; For I have heard of story of the rich man, Who asked for water on the tip of his finger.

Hymn available here. http://sor.cua.edu/Feast/GreatLent.html

Text of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/maryegypt.html

March 28, Saturday of the Fifth Week of Lent

2009-03-28T17:19:00.002-05:00

March 27, Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent

2009-03-27T06:21:00.002-05:00

March 26, Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent

2009-03-26T06:45:00.003-05:00

March 25: Feast of the Annunciation

2009-03-25T06:45:00.007-05:00

Today we present 2 podcast episodes from Theosis - the Feast of the Annunciation and a regular episode for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent.

March 25, Feast of the Annunciation

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

We are yours, O Mother of God! We offer to you, our protectress and leader, our hymns of victory! We offer to you, who have saved us from danger, our songs of thanksgiving! With your unconquered power, defend us from all evil so that we may praise you: “Rejoice, O Bride and Immaculate Virgin!” – Kontakion of the Feast of the Annunciation

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation with meditations upon the words of the Gospel of Luke and Theodoret.

While the date of the Feast of the Annunciation was not originally set to coincide with Lent, it does fit in well with our Lenten journey for we see that in Jesus we have a savior who experienced all that it means to be human. Just as in Mary's obedience all humanity attained salvation, so by living in deeper obedience to the Lord this Lent, we too find our own redemption. In the Annunciation, we truly see that God became human, so that we might become God.

The Akathist

Akathist The Akathist/Akathistos of the Virgin Mary is prayed on the Feast of the Annunciation and on Akathistos Saturday [the Saturday of the Fifth Week] during Lent. While the Akathistos is prayed on these days more for historical reasons than because of a Lenten connection, it is useful to pray this hymn to the Blessed Virgin during Lent to remind us of her powerful and much needed intercession as we conduct our labors of repentance. The Akathistos is also commonly prayed on the Fridays of Lent and can be prayed throughout the Church Year. In fact, the Akathistos is not foreign to the Latin West – on 4 May 1746 Pope Benedict XIV granted an indulgence of fifty days to any Roman or Eastern Catholic who prayed the hymn.

The Akathistos/Akathist to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special Eastern hymn in celebration of Mary’s role as the Mother of God as defined at the Council of Ephesis in 431. The author of the hymn is unknown but it is often ascribed to St. Romanus the Melodist [circa 6th century]. The Akathistos was specifically prayed in the year 626 A.D., in the Church of the Theotokos [Mother of God] of Vlachernae in Constantinople as the Christians sought and received the Virgin Mary’s protection against the Persians. There are other akathistos dedicated to Jesus and particular saints, but this one to the Blessed Mother is probably the most popular.

While the Akathistos is prayed throughout the year, it is assigned a special role during Lent. Often one quarter of the hymn is prayed during each of the first four Fridays of Lent and it is prayed in its entirety on Akathistos Saturday – though it is believed that the hymn was originally composed for the feast of the Annunciation. The hymn is designed to be chanted either according to the Eastern tones or recto-tono, but it can also simply be read. Akathistos is a Greek word meaning “not-sitting” and so it is usually prayed. The Akathistos to the Blessed Virgin Mary is composed of twenty-four stanzas as an acrostic of the twenty-four letters in the Greek alphabet. The first twelve stanzas tell of the Nativity of Jesus beginning with the Annunciation and ending with the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt. The second twelve stanzas express the Church’s understanding of Mary’s important role in the incarnation and our salvation. The Akathistos also offers our thanksgiving for the Mother of God’s prayers and help. While all the angels and saints play an important role in assisting in our salvation, the Virgin Mary who is “higher than the cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim” plays a particularly important role as intercessor and aid in our redemption. The Akathistos is meant to, in a small way, return honor for her many blessings.

The Akathistos hymn celebrates the divine motherhood of Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church. It is used both by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches of the Byzantine tradition, and is now known and used in many Western ecclesial communities. This is one of the most beautiful hymns with which the East honors and praises the ever-Blessed Virgin Mary, the Most holy Mother of God. [John Paul II]

For a printed English version of the Akathist, visit this Eastern Catholic website at http://www.cin.org/akathis.html. To hear the way the Akathist is sung, listen to this Eastern Orthodox site at http://www.goarch.org/en/multimedia/audio/. Just scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the "Akathist Hymn" under "Other Services of the Church".

March 25, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Listen on the player:

We meditate today upon the words of Saint James and Clement of Alexandria about perseverance in the faith.

As we continue our Lenten journey, we will indeed experience trials and difficulties but Jesus will be with us in those trials and guide us safely through them. The way of Jesus passes through trials both because Jesus himself experienced trials but also because it is only through being tested that we will learn perseverence and our faith may grow. Being prepared in small trials, we will be ready for facing greater difficulties and our trust in God will increase.

The Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete

You produced heavenly sounds as from a trumpet and were a sparkling light for the world. The light of the Trinity shone through you, O righteous Andrew, therefore we pray that You will always intercede for us. – Kontakion of Saint Andrew of Crete

St. Andrew of Crete [-c.712 or 726] is best known for his development of the liturgical service known as the Canon. Andrew’s Canon are extended hymns of praise to the Virgin Mary and for special feast days such as the Nativity of Christ and Palm Sunday. Yet, his most important work is The Great Penitential Canon or The Canon of Saint Andrew.

While The Canon of Saint Andrew is said in four parts during the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings of the first week of Lent. It is said in its entirety in the evening of the Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent. The hymn is composed of 250 verses in 9 odes. A prostration, a deep bow, was made after the end of each stanza and so sometimes this hymn is called the Poklony from poklon meaning bow. Many in the East consider this canon to be the foremost example of a hymn of repentance.

The Canon of Saint Andrew is designed to take the faithful from sin to repentance and is deeply influenced by the teachings of the Scriptures. It relates the entire history of salvation and calls on us to reflect on how often we have imitated the great sins of those such as Cain and Absalom and how often we failed to imitate the repentance of those like David. Yet, the canon is not intended to be an exercise in self-condemnation – rather, like all valuable parts of a real Lenten spirituality it is a means of taking a good look at ourselves in relationship to our God.

The Canon also serves an important theological role in showing God’s constant saving presence in the history of salvation. For, the Lord consistently calls His children to repentance and return. The Canon reminds us that no matter how grave our sin; God’s mercy is always greater. Yet, as the Canon reminds us, our opportunity to repentant and be reconciled is limited, so it is important that we begin to reform ourselves now.

A copy of The Canon of Saint Andrew can be found here: http://www.monachos.net/content/patristics/patristictexts/484-andrew-crete-great-canon-repentance

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Awake, my soul, awake! Why do you sleep? The last days draw near and soon you will be confounded. Be attentive, then, that Christ your God may spare you, for He is everywhere present and fills all things. – The Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete

March 24, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent - 2nd Sorrowful Mystery Video and Theosis Podcast

2009-03-24T06:46:00.004-05:00

Special Video: The Second Sorrowful Mystery
(music by Susan Bailey from the Mary, Queen of Peace Meditation Guide & Sung Rosary)

March 24, Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent

3 days of episodes*: Fri., Mar. 20, Sun.,, Mar. 22, Mon., Mar. 23

2009-03-23T09:37:00.005-05:00

*Saturday, March 21st's episode will not be loaded until March 25 as it concerns the Feast of the Annunciation. Since this podcast was done back in 2006, the dates are off.

My apologies for posting these episodes late but I was away on retreat. The weekly Friday video will be loaded for Tuesday's post this week as it concerns the second sorrowful mystery.

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Onto our episodes:

March 23, Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent

Listen on the player:

Today we meditate upon the words of the Second Letter of John and Saint Cyprian about perseverence in the way of the Lord. Our entire Lenten journey is focused upon following in the footsteps of Jesus. This means following his commands, for if we love him, we will do as he says. Jesus does not give us these commands so as to place us in subjugation, but so that we might become the people we long to be. These commands are to love one another as he has loved us. In obeying these commands, we will grow in the love of God and in the glory of God.

March 22, Sunday of the Fourth Week of Lent - Sunday of Saint John Climacus

Listen on the player: O John, our father and guide, the Lord has raised you on high to be a true guiding star of asceticism, you enlighten the whole world with your virtue. – Kontakion of St. John of the Ladder We celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of Saint John Climacus with meditations upon the words of Saint Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians and the wisdom of the Desert Fathers.

The "Ladder" of Saint John Climacus is a very important spiritual text in the Eastern tradition and an important Lenten guide because it shows that our advancement in the Lord comes only through continuous and persistant effort. Saint John recognizes that our journey is best completed through many small steps than one big step that offers a greater risk of failure. What is most important is that we begin our journey now and strive to persevere in it through the mercy and grace of God.

March 20, Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Listen on the player:

Our meditation for today comes from the Letter to the Hebrews and the words of Saint Hilary of Poitiers on the Holy Spirit.

Part of becoming more like Jesus is to be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit as he was. The gifts of the Holy Spirit come through the goodness of God and they come to those who seek them and it is through these gifts that we are changed and transformed into the likeness of Christ. Our journey is completed in the Trinity and in the Trinity we are united with God.

March 19, Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent

2009-03-19T11:11:00.006-05:00

March 18, Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent - A special song about Mercy, and podcast about temptations

2009-03-18T13:36:00.005-05:00

Listen to a special song about mercy entitled "It Is Mercy" by Matthew Baute, from the recording entitled River of Grace
(P) (C) 2008, World Library Publications, www.wlpmusic.com 800 566-6150 All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Listen on the player:

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

Our meditation today comes from the Letter of Saint James and the words of Saint Basil that speak to us of patience.

When we suffer from a particular temptation it is understandable that we should desire for that temptation to be taken away and it can be frustrating to experience it again and again and again. These recurring temptations, if they come to us through no fault of our own, can be an occasion for fostering patience and growing in perseverance. For, our growth comes through testing and sometimes are struggles are a sign that God is preparing us for something greater just as the athlete becomes faster and stronger only by providing himself with more and more difficult tests.

March 17, Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

2009-03-17T06:54:00.003-05:00

March 16, Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

2009-03-16T08:56:00.002-05:00

March 15, Sunday of the Third Week of Lent - Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross

2009-03-15T06:53:00.003-05:00

March 14, Saturday of the Third Week of Lent

2009-03-14T14:07:00.002-05:00

March 13, Friday of the Third Week of LentSpecial Friday Video Devotion plus podcast

2009-03-13T06:05:00.004-05:00

This Friday's 5 minute video devotion reflects on the first sorrowful mystery of the Rosary. the music is from the Mary, Queen of Peace Meditation Guide & Sung Rosary by Susan Bailey:

March 13, Friday of the Third Week of Lent

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

Today we meditate upon the words of the Prophet Daniel and Saint Gregory Nazianzen which speak to us of the importance of forgiveness.

Making this Lenten journey means trusting in God's wondrous power of forgiveness. In our struggle against sin, particularly against sins which may have troubled us for a long time, we can be tempted into a despair that God might ever find in us in anything good. The greatness of God's forgiveness is that through it, all of our past sins are wiped away and all God sees is a heart that seeks to be one with him. With that, He is well pleased.

March 12, Thursday of the Third Week of Lent

2009-03-12T06:21:00.003-05:00

March 9, 10, 11 - Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

2009-03-11T05:59:00.006-05:00

Note: my apologies for not posting these episodes in a timely fashion. They are still worth listening to for your Lenten journey.

March 9, Monday of the Third Week of Lent

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

On this day of our Lenten journey we read in 2 Peter and the writings of Saint Irenaeus about God's great patience and our need for conversion.

Our Lord desires our conversion because he seeks for us to be made whole, to be healed, to end the separation between us that has been caused by sin. Conversion is the means by which, through the grace of God, that split between Creator and creation is mended. Though it indeed requires our effort, we are encouraged through God's aid and through knowing that our Lord is much more patient with us, than we are often with ourselves.

March 10, Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

Our focus for today is upon trusting in the Lord as we meditate upon the words of the Prophet Micah and Saint Ignatius of Antioch.

In our Lenten journey we are bound to face struggles and difficulties. We will feel tempted to turn back, to return to the ways of the past. Our only hope of completing this journey lies in the grace given to us by Jesus Christ and if we do not make this journey for him and with him, we will not succeed. But if we make this journey trusting that he will give us everything we need, we cannot fail.

March 11, Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

What do we want? This is our question today as we meditate upon the words of Matthew's Gospel and St. John Cassian.

We are warned not to seek human praise in our Lenten fasting or else that is all we will receive. Instead we are called to seek instead the reward promised by God. Therefore, our Lenten journey should not be one of one-up manship where we seek to impress others by our fasting and abstinence. The fasting that we have chosen for Lent must be something that brings us closer to God. God allows us to get what we want, in our fasting are we seeking the right things?

March 8, Sunday of the Second Week of Lent

2009-03-08T13:10:00.006-05:00

A Song Reflecting on the Transfiguration

In the Roman Church, today's gospel reading recounts the Transfiguration. Here is a personal reflection in song by Susan Bailey known as "Lead Me, Oh Lord.":

Theosis: Sunday of Gregory Palamas

March 7, Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

2009-03-07T11:51:00.002-05:00

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

Today we will be meditating upon the words of Deuteronomy and Abba Moses that speak to us of once more of forgiveness. The message of forgiveness is so important during Lent both the need for accepting God's forgiveness as well as offering that forgiveness to others. For if we hold on to our bitterness, how can we expect to celebrate the Easter victory in peace?

There are many reasons why we might hold on to our anger, perhaps the one who has injured us has not sincerely sought forgiveness, perhaps we are afraid of appearing weak. But where would we be if Jesus had thought like this? Truly in following the way of Christ, we must follow his way of forgiving love.

March 6, Friday of the Second Week of Lent - Stations of the Cross Video plus podcast

2009-03-06T10:14:00.004-05:00

Stations of the Cross (photos taken at St. Luke the Evangelist Parish, Westboro, MA - my home parish)

March 5, Thursday of the Second Week of Lent

2009-03-05T07:25:00.001-05:00

March 4, Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent

2009-03-04T07:15:00.001-05:00

March 3, Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

2009-03-03T15:12:00.002-05:00

March 2, Monday of the Second Week of Lent

2009-03-02T07:47:00.003-05:00

March 1, First Sunday of Lent - The Sunday of Orthodoxy

2009-03-01T11:59:00.003-05:00

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Listen on the player:

Great are faith’s accomplishment. Holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced in the flames as though in peaceful, cool waters and so became as an offering of sweet bread to the Trinity. By his prayers, Christ our God, save our souls! – Troparion of the Saturday of St. Theodore the Recruit

None could describe the Word of the Father; but when He took His flesh from you, O Birthgiver of God, He permitted Himself to be described, thus the fallen image was restored when it was united to the divine beauty. So we confess and proclaim our salvation both in words and in icons. - Kontakion of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

Today we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of Orthodoxy with meditations upon Psalm 30 and the words of Saint Ambrose.

The celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy serves to remind us that our Lenten journey is a journey in the faith of Christ. A journey in which we are to ever grow closer to the one who has always remained faithful to us. In this way, Orthodoxy means right belief both in loving God and loving our neighbor. Lent also is a time to remind us that living faithfully can bring with it great difficulties in the same way that Christ's own faithfulness led to his suffering and death. But if we are faithful in these difficulties, we shall also be faithfully reach the day of rejoicing.

Eastern Prayer to Mary

This is the prayer to the Blessed Mother that we have been using on Saturdays and Sundays -

Rejoice Mary, Mother of God, Virgin, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls. Truly it is proper, to glorify thee, O Birthgiver of God, ever blessed, and immaculate, the Mother of our God. True Birthgiver of God, more honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without stain thou didst bear God the Word, and we magnify thee.

Feb. 28, Saturday of the First Week of Lent

2009-02-28T07:39:00.003-05:00

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.
*Scroll down to Friday's post to see the Stations of the Cross video

Great are faith’s accomplishment. Holy Martyr Theodore rejoiced in the flames as though in peaceful, cool waters and so became as an offering of sweet bread to the Trinity. By his prayers, Christ our God, save our souls! – Troparion of the Saturday of St. Theodore the Recruit

On this step of our Lenten journey we remember St. Theodore of Tyre as we meditate upon Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans and the words of Saint John Chrysostom.

As we continue toward Lent, we trust in the promise of our Lord and Savior that he forgives our sins, that he indeed desires our salvation. This is our great hope, that the one who has power to save us will indeed do so if we but let him. Just as Christ gave of himself entirely for our salvation, so to should we give entirely of ourselves both in return to the one who saves us and for the sake of the salvation of others.

Listen on the player:

Theosis Feb. 27, 2009; plus Stations of the Cross Videoand a special song

2009-02-27T07:36:00.004-05:00

First, the special song, picked especially for Friday in Lent. The title is "The Thorn and the Blossom," written and performed by Nancy Krebs.

Next, the Stations of the Cross in a 5 minute video. The meditation prayer is the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." The pictures were taken at St. Mary's Parish, North Grafton, MA.

And finally, our episode of the daily podcast, Theosis:

Reminder: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Today our Lenten journey meditates upon the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans and the words of St. Ambrose that remind us that Lent is a time of joy both in our conversion and in the conversion of others.

This means not seeking to compare ourselves with others either in terms of our failings or in terms of our penance. Rather, we should instead rejoice in our Lord's wondrous and saving mercy. Lent is the time for removing the logs in our own eyes so that we might be able to see the love of God more clearly.

Be sure to visit the website at isidorescorner.com/theosis

Listen on the player:

Theosis Feb. 26, 2009

2009-02-25T20:16:00.001-05:00

A song for Ash Wednesday, and Theosis, episode 3

2009-02-24T22:07:00.004-05:00

Listen to Lead Me to the Wilderness by Susan Bailey on the player before Episode 3 of Theosis. Also, there are added reflections on fasting - scroll past the player to see them.

Note: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

On the third day of the first week of the Great Fast, we meditate upon the First Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy and the words of Saint Anthony of the Desert which speak to us of the danger of excessive asceticism.

Jesus comes to offer us mercy and we should be merciful with ourselves, especially in our fasting and abstinance. Real conversion is obtained gradually, through stages, by slowly moving away from bad habits and embracing those that are good. Excessive fasting and asceticism can be both physically and spiritually dangerous, especially if done without the advice of a priest or spiritual director.

Our God is full of patience and understanding, we should strive to have that same patience with ourselves and with others.

After listening, read the section below on fasting.

FASTING AS A SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

Fasting is our entrance and participation in that experience of Christ Himself by which He liberates us from total dependence on food, matter and the world. By no means is our liberation a full one. Living still in the fallen world, in the world of Old Adam, being part of it, we still depend on food. But just as our death –- through which we still must pass – has become by virtue of Christ’s death a passage into life, the food we eat and the life it sustains can be life in God and for God. Part of our food has already become "food of immortality" – the Body and Blood of Christ Himself. But even the daily bread we receive from God can be in this life and in this world that which strengths us, our communion with God, rather than that which separates us from God. Yet it is only fasting that can perform that transformation, give us the existential proof that our dependence on food and matter is not total, not absolute; that united in prayer, grace and adoration, it can itself be spiritual. All this means that deeply understood, fasting is the only means by which man recovers his true spiritual nature. *

Fasting, then, points to the fact that there is certainly something more to life than just physical contentment and satisfaction. Fasting is meant to serve as an aid to help us concentrate our attention on God. It is meant to lead to a simplification of life: less time for self, more time for God; less time and care for physical food; more time and care for the Word of God and the Bread of Life. Fasting is designed to take the focus off self and selfish desires and to place the focus on God and the needs of His suffering people.

More than that, fasting is not just for the stomach. It concerns the eyes, the ears, the hands and the feet. Saint John Chrysostom wrote:

Let the hands fast by being free of greed.

Let the feet fast by ceasing to run after sin.

Let the eyes fast by disciplining them not to look at what is enticing.

Let the ears fast by not listening to evil talk and gossip.

Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from fowl and fish but bite and devour our brothers?

Fasting, then, is something quite positive. We fast from certain things in order to feast on others. The Church enters Lent with a strict fast; our Church calls this sacred time the "Great Fast". The season of greatest celebration (Easter) is preceded by the season of greatest fasting (Lent). Fasting is not just for the stomach but for the whole person to forget self and to reach out to others as Christ Himself reaches out to us.

Great Lent. Father Alexander Schmemman. Saint Vladimir’s Press (Crestwood, N.Y.), 1969, pp. 106-107.

Fasting in the Eastern Church tradition
The Great Fast and The Presanctified Liturgy

THE GREAT FAST
Like the West, the Eastern Church places great importance on fasting during Lent. In fact, the Great Fast traditionally required strictly abstinence from all meat, dairy, eggs, alcohol and oil during the entire period of Lent and Holy Week. Some also fast from certain meals on the first day of Lent and Lenten Fridays and perhaps ate only one meal on each day of Holy Week.

Today, the Eastern Catholic Church has relaxed those standards so as to require only strict abstinence from meat, dairy, and eggs on the first day of Lent and Good Friday and abstinence from meat on all Lenten Fridays.

Even for those who wish to follow a more austere fast, the Eastern Church stresses that fasting is not intended to be seen as some spiritual challenge designed to prove one’s holiness. Rather, a spiritual director who knows our particular needs should guide our fasts. To attempt such rigorous disciplines on our own risks the development of a pride that would make such fasting worthless. Moreover, fasting is more than simply abstaining from certain foods, drink or pleasures. Fasting is the abstention from all sin, the practice of good works, and the promotion of virtue. As Saint John Chrysostom writes, “Fasting brings us no benefit unless it also brings about our spiritual renewal.” [Sixth Homily on Genesis, III]

THE LITURGY OF THE PRESANCTIFIED
The Liturgy of the Presanctified, is a special liturgy at which the faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ consecrated [sanctified] at the previous Sunday’s Divine Liturgy. The practice of celebrating the Liturgy of the Presanctified likely began around 614, though by 692 the fifty-second canon of the Council in Trullo required that the Liturgy of the Presanctified be offered every day of Lent except for Saturday, Sunday, and the Feast of the Annunciation – if it occurred during Lent.

More recent rules for the Eastern Catholic Church have generally limited its use to Wednesdays and Fridays of Lent and Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week. Since the Divine Liturgy is a joyous occasion in the Eastern Church, the Liturgy of the Presanctified is a way for faithful Christians to receive Holy Communion in a spirit of penance. Moreover, the Liturgy of the Presanctified is generally celebrated late in the day so as to encourage a greater Eucharistic fast and to remind us of our need for God’s grace in our conversion. The Liturgy of the Presanctified is celebrated in the West only on Good Friday.

Theosis Episode 2: February 24,Second Day of Great Lent

2009-02-23T23:24:00.002-05:00

Note: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Today is the second day of the Lent according to the Eastern Church and we meditate upon our reconciliation in Christ as seen in St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians and the words of St. Irenaeus.

God desires that all be saved and gives us every grace so that it might be accomplished. Thus, our Lenten journey is a journey of becoming each day more and more open to this reconciliation, to God's saving grace.

Again, I encourage you to share this podcast with others, that they may join us on the way to the Father.

Listen to the episode on the player:

Theosis Episode 1: February 23, First Day of Great Lent

2009-02-21T15:30:00.007-05:00

Note: Theosis was originally broadcast during Lent of 2006. Therefore, the date mentioned in the episode will not match up with today's date. Also, this podcast does not use the daily readings of the Roman Lectionary for the scripture readings.

Today we begin our Lenten journey according to the Eastern calendar with meditations upon Psalm 81 and the words of Pontius the Deacon about following the path set for us by God, about imitating the Lord.

Each day on our Lenten Journey should be a day of growing closer to the Lord, of following him more closely. This will mean following his journey into suffering, but it will also mean following his journey into Resurrection.

Please share this podcast with others, so that they too may join us on our journey.

Listen to the podcast on the player:

Mother Teresa site is now complete

2009-01-07T14:27:00.002-05:00

I have finished restoring the Mother Teresa songs website. Some of the links were out of date and so there aren't as many as before. If you know of a link that should be added to the Mother Teresa site, write me at susan@gvonline.net and I'll put it in. There are some beautiful songs on this site. I just added Danielle Rose's I Thirst CD to the list which is my all-time favorite. Enjoy!

Welcome to my updated Prayer Chapel

2008-12-31T14:20:00.002-05:00

I will be updating this Prayer Chapel with many new elements, and will be sharing about my faith journey on this blog. You can respond to the posts and share about yours. There is a prayer forum at the bottom of this page where you can post your prayer requests. Be assured that they will be prayed for, and please offer your prayers as well.

Susan