December 31, 2024

SILENCE VERSUS SPEAKING

Sirach 20:5-7

There is a man who is silent but is found to be wise,
And there is a man who is hateful because he talks too much.
There is a man who is silent because he has no answer,
And there is a man who is silent because he knows when to speak.
A wise man will keep silent until it is the right time to speak,
But an arrogant and undiscerning man will speak out of turn.

Personal Challenge

So many of the wisdom teachings of Sirach are so profound and apply even today. As one remains silent and carefully assess that which goes on around them, they will be perceived and recognized as wise. When we choose to talk (post) too much, then we may be perceived as hateful. There is great wisdom in remaining silent when we really do not have a valid answer. There is also great wisdom in knowing when the right time is to speak. Even if we do have a valid answer speaking out of turn will only reveal our arrogance and lack of discernment. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 30, 2024

SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

1 Timothy 4:7-8

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Personal Challenge

We live in a day where physical exercise has been elevated almost to the level of a religion. We are also seeing a rise in so called intellectual exercise. With good physical exercise we can maintain our health, but we must always be careful to not put it before all the other aspects of life that make us well rounded. The intellectual exercise is where we are beginning to see major issues. With the advent of the internet there are a plethora of information sources at our fingertips. Unfortunately, a vast amount of this information is bad information. We must be diligent to separate the wheat from the chaff. If our desire is to be godly, righteous, loving, and caring people then we must be diligent to exercise our intellect with only truthful and quality information. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 29, 2024

WORDS OF WISDOM

Sirach 18:18-20

Before you speak, learn,
And before you get sick, take care of your health.
Before you make a judgment, examine yourself closely,
And in the hour of visitation you will find atonement.
Before you become sick, humble yourself;
And at the time of sinning, prove your conversion.

Personal Challenge

There are many insights in the Old Testament that offer sound advice for a quality life. Whether one accepts Christian principles or not, there is still wisdom in these teachings. Sirach provides some here. Learn the truth and the facts before you speak (or post). Take care of yourself and be humble in your actions and you can help push off being sick. Examine yourself closely before you judge another. When you know that you have done something to harm another, prove your sorrow and repentance by atoning to them. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 28, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

December 27, 2024

FOR ALL

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Personal Challenge

As a follower of Christ, I am exhorted to pray for all, all men, all women, all leaders, everyone. I am to do this in order to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. Praying for another does not mean that I submit to abuse or other in appropriate behavior. As my Orthodox Christian faith practice teaches me, I am not only to pray for those whom I like or who like me, but for my enemy and those who persecute me. However, it is okay to do what is necessary to change that which is around me that is wrong, abusive, corrupt, or ungodly. Even Jesus turned over the money-changer tables in the temple. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me the sinner and show me how to love my neighbor and to righteously stand up for that which is right and true!

December 26, 2024

HIS MAJESTIC MERCIES

Sirach 18:4-6

Who will measure His majestic power with a number,
And who will add to this measure
While describing His mercies?
There is no one who can add or subtract,
And there is no one who can search out the wonders of the Lord.
When a man completes his search, then he starts over;
And when he stops, he will still be perplexed.

Encouraging Words

Right in the middle of these three verses extolling the majesty of God, Sirach throws in the most majestic and immeasurable aspect of God, His mercies. His mercies are immeasurable. His mercies can neither be added to or taken from. No one can ever find the depth, width, or height of these mercies. We are truly perplexed when trying to understand the majesty of God's mercy. Glory be to God!

December 24, 2024

LOVE

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

Personal Challenge

The commandments that Jesus gave us to love God and love our neighbor is not some flippant expectation to just placate those around us. As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love others from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. If we only love those who think like we do, aet like we do, worship like we do, then we are Christian in name only. Who is the neighbor that we are to love? Everyone, no matter what they look like, talk like, behave like...EVERYONE! This level of love is only possible if it is sourced in the God of love! Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner and forgive me for those times that I have not loved another as you have.

December 23, 2024

THE LORD'S MERCY

Sirach 17:24-25

How great the mercy of the Lord is,
And His atonement for those who turn to Him.
For all things are not possible for man,
Because a son of man is not immortal.

Encouraging Words

Our Lord's mercy is so great. He is merciful to His creation. His grace is all encompassing. For those who turn to Him, He blesses with His atonement. Only He can provide everlasting life to His children for only He is immortal. Glory be to God!

December 22, 2024

GOD IS FAITHFUL

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Encouraging Words

Prayer is a powerful tool for God's children. He does listen to our prayers. In this letter, Paul prayers for the followers of Christ and issues this reminder that God is faithful. God establishes us in our relationship with Him: He guards us from the evil one. Our responsibility is to continually rest in Him and stay close to Him. He will do the rest. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 21, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. Isaac the Syrian

December 20, 2024

PART OF OUR ESSENCE

Sirach 17:5-8

He gave mankind the ability to deliberate,
And a tongue, eyes and ears, and a heart to think with.
He filled them with the skill of comprehension
And showed them good and evil.
He set His eye upon their hearts
To show them the majesty of His works.
They will praise His holy name
So as to fully describe the majesty of His works.

Encouraging Words

God created us all in His image. Not the image of God that so many people have come up with, but in his true image. As part of that image, we have certain characteristics that set us apart from the rest of creation. We have the ability to deliberate. We have a tongue to speak lovingly with, eyes to see our world and to determine where we can be a blessing to someone else, ears to hear the needs and desires of others, and a heart to process all this through these actions so that it can lead us to love, compassion, and grace. We are blessed with the skill of comprehension. We have been given the ability to know the difference between good and evil. He placed within us the ability to see His majesty and desire to know Him and to praise and glorify His name. It is up to us to embrace all of this and use it for Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 19, 2024

THE WILL OF GOD

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Personal Challenge

Is it possible for us to know the will of God? Entirely, absolutely not. But we can know those elements of His will that He desires for us to know. Here Paul provides for us a glimpse into some of the things that we can do to align our will with God's will. We can rejoice always, no matter how our life or the world around us is playing out. We can pray without ceasing. Every breath that we breathe can carry with it a prayer to our Father. In everything give thanks. Once again, this is to be done no matter what is going on in our lives. These are clearly some things that we can all do that are the will of God as Christ Jesus lives within us. Glory be to God!

December 18, 2024

WISDOM

Sirach 14:20-22

Blessed is the man who practices wisdom
And discourses with insight.
Whoever ponders the ways of wisdom in his heart
Will also reflect on her secrets.
Pursue wisdom like a tracker
And lie in wait on her paths.

Personal Challenge

Wisdom is such an important part of a healthy and productive life. Also, it is important to remember that wisdom is not the same as knowledge or information gathering. What really helps to set wisdom apart and to help us recognize its value and importance is to understand that the early church fathers identified wisdom in the Old Testament as another name for Jesus. Substitute "Jesus" in for "wisdom" in this passage and its power becomes manifested. Glory be to God!

December 17, 2024

HOW TO TREAT OTHERS

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Personal Challenge

Paul ends up his letter to the people of Thessalonica, and us, with this exhortation on how we should treat each other. We are to warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, and to be patient with all. He goes on to exhort us to not render evil for evil to anyone and to always pursue what is good for all. Some teach that this would only apply toward the brothers and sisters in one's local church. However, align this with the teachings of Jesus and the expectation would be that we behave this way towards all people. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 16, 2024

DEATH DOES NOT DELAY

Sirach 14:12-14

Remember that death does not delay,
And the covenant of Hades has not been shown to you.
Before you die, do good to a friend,
And reach out and give to him based on your ability.
Do not let a day go by without doing something good,
And do not let any of your desire for doing good escape you.

Personal Challenge

I have heard that there are only two things certain in life... death and taxes. Sirach reminds that death will not delay with any of us. We all have that day out there, somewhere on our timeline, when we will die. It is inevitable. He also encourages us to do good in our lives before we die. Do good to a friend. Jesus expanded that to say that we should do good to our neighbor. We are to give to others from our abundance, whether friend or stranger. We should never let the desire for doing good escape us. Glory be to God!

December 15, 2024

OUR HOPE

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

Encouraging Words

If you were to ask me, as a follower of Christ, to prove that there is life after death, I would have to tell you that I cannot prove it to your satisfaction. As followers of Christ, we believe that Jesus died and rose again. We believe the eyewitness accounts that were recorded in the scriptures and in apocryphal writings. That is not going to be the proof that you are asking for. So be it. It is in our belief, our faith, that we have a hope for eternal life. Glory be to God!

December 14, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. Nicholas of Myra

December 13, 2024

DO NOT...

Sirach 11:9

Do not argue about a matter that does not concern you,
And do not sit together with sinners when they judge a case.

Personal Challenge

Throughout the Scriptures there are many instances of guidelines on how to live a righteous life. We must take these guidelines as boundaries to live our lives within and not absolute laws or rules. Effectively, Jesus left us with only two rules, or commandments, in order to be recognized as His followers. They are to love God and love your neighbor. These guidelines presented here in Sirach can help us through life on a smoother road. It does me no good, as well as no good to others, to enter into the argument about a matter that does not concern me. Another way to say this is, "Mind my own business!" The other guideline is not to join in with those who are in the wrong when they judge others. Great food for thought. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 11, 2024

BLAMELESS HEARTS

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Encouraging Words

Paul sends this prayer for Christians to the church in Thessalonica. It is still relevant for today. Our desire as followers of Christ should always be to live our lives with blameless hearts. This passage reminds us that one thing we can do to achieve this desire is to increase and abound in love to another and to all. If we can learn to practice the two commandments that Jesus gave us, then this becomes an attainable goal. These commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. Glory be to God!

December 10, 2024

BE SLOW TO RESPOND

Sirach 11:7-8

Do not find fault before you examine a situation.
First, understand it, and then make your judgment.
Do not answer before you have listened,
And do not interrupt someone while he is talking.

Personal Challenge

There are so many tidbits of great wisdom spread throughout the scriptures. We just need to take the time to find them and then most importantly, apply them to our lives. Here we find advise from Sirach to slow down before we respond to situations. Before we pass judgment, we are to examine the situation and understand it. Before we answer someone, we should listen to them and not interrupt them with our commentary. I guess I have opportunities for improvement before me. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 9, 2024

PLEASING GOD

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

Personal Challenge

As a follower of Christ, my responsibility is to say and do things that please God. I am not to worry how other people will accept my words or actions as long as I am striving to please God. We must remember to put this in the context of God's commandments to love Him and to love our neighbor. Pleasing God means saying and doing everything from these perspectives of love. By doing this my actions will show respect and love for all others. This is often a far cry from how we see those who proclaim to be Christians behaving today. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 8, 2024

IN GOD'S HAND

Sirach 10:4

The authority of the earth is in the hand of the Lord,
And He will raise up the right man for an appointed time.

Encouraging Words

God is always in control. He is the creator and sustainer of all. However, He still lets humankind live their lives with their own free will. This is why so often things go awry in this world. It is not God that causes famines or wars, it is us doing things our own way for ourselves. These consequences of our bad choices grieve our God. This also bears out in the leaders that we choose to rule over us. God allows us to make choices that are contrary to His will and in His loving grace, He uses those poor choices to teach us. This is His way of raising up the right leader for an appointed time. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 7, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. Thadeus of Vitovnica

December 6, 2024

OUR SPEECH

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Personal Challenge

As followers of Christ, our speech, whether verbal or written, should always be delivered with grace toward the recipient. There is no room, no excuse, for nasty ad hominins or other derisive means of hurting the other person. This is an aspect of being a Christian that seems to have been abandoned. Lord, have Mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 5, 2024

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!

Sirach 7:32-36

Stretch forth your hand to the poor,
That your blessing may be complete.
Let the kindness of giving be shown
In the presence of all the living,
And do not withhold kindness from the dead.
Do not withdraw yourself from those who weep,
And mourn with those who mourn.
Do not hesitate to visit a sick man,
For by such visits you will be loved.
With all your words, remember the time you will die,
And you will never sin.

Personal Challenge

At the very beginning of Christianity, those who had been longing for their Messiah, did not recognize Him when He arrived. To use a modern term, He was too "woke" for what they were looking for. I often wonder that if Jesus were to show up today and do what He did 2,000 years ago, how many professing Christians would join the religious leaders yelling, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Jesus would have been fully aware of this book of Sirach. His sermon on the mount and other teachings proclaims these truths in Sirach. Stretch forth your hand to the poor, which includes the widow, the orphan and the alien (migrant) amongst us. Live showing the kindness of giving, not taking and hoarding like so many wealthy, including many megachurch leaders of today. Do not withhold kindness, do not withdraw from those who weep, mourn with those who mourn, visit the sick person without hesitation, speak carefully. These are things that followers of Christ strive to do with their lives. These are the "Christians" that make up the true body of Christ. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

December 4, 2024

PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING

Colossians 4:2

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

Personal Challenge

One of the things that we, the followers of Christ, are consistently encouraged to do throughout the New Testament is to pray with thanksgiving. We do not offer up prayers to change the mind and will of God but that our mind and will might be changed to conform with His. We are to always pray with a thankful heart knowing that God hears us and that His responses will always be what is best for us. Glory be to God!

December 3, 2014

HONOR OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS

Sirach 7:29-31

Fear the Lord with all your soul
And honor His priests.
Love Him who made you
And do not forsake His ministers.
Fear the Lord and honor His priests,
And give them their portion as commanded:
The firstfruits, the trespass offering,
The gift of the shoulder offering,
The sacrifice of sanctification,
And the firstfruits of the holy things.

Personal Challenge

Sirach admonishes us to give honor and support to our spiritual leaders. A true spiritual leader will follow many other precepts in the scriptures commensurate with the role that they have either been called to or pursued. Those precepts carry their own expectations for these leaders and the consequences for not living up to those expectations. It is not our responsibility to judge these leaders but let God do that in His way and time. We will be held accountable for what we do in our role. Glory be to God!

December 2, 2024

WHO DO WE DO WHAT WE DO FOR?

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Personal Challenge

Jesus left His glorious place in heaven to come and be one of us and live amongst us. He submitted Himself, the Son of God, to spend 9 months in the womb of His earthly mother Mary, so that He would be incarnated as one of us. He lived the life of a lowly, migrating human being to be able to fully embrace His humanity. He did this, all the while, retaining His God-ness. He was fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life and then humbly let humankind kill Him on the cross, only to be resurrected. He did this for us, for you, for me. This is why one of the marks of a person that is truly a follower of Christ is that they do what they do for Him. They do not do their works for another person, or a religious institution, or a political party, or for any other reason but to glorify and magnify God. Keep an eye on this when people say that they are doing something for God. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

December 1, 2024

TREAT OTHERS PROPERLY

Sirach 7:20-21

Do not mistreat a servant who does his work in truth
Nor a hired worker who devotes himself to you.
Let your soul love an intelligent servant;
Do not deprive him of his freedom.

Personal Challenge

One of the problems that comes from a society that becomes so focused on the accumulation of wealth is that it results in the abuse of those who do not have wealth. We are seeing this play out today in the disparity of income between the leaders of companies and the frontline workers. As the gap grows. so does the mistreatment of those who are truly responsible for generating the wealth for the elite. This is not a new problem. It has been with us since the beginning of time. The way to change it is to shift our focus from the accumulation of wealth to sharing of our wealth with those in need. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have money!

November 30, 2024

Saint of the Week

St. Diadochos of Photiki