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And the true mark that we have such humility is when we don't think mean of those who are mean to us but rather justify them, like David did with Shimei: 2 Samuel 16:5-11 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of...

Those six works mentioned in Matthew 25 are not limited to just helping the poor. When you go hungry or thirsty in order to fight off the temptation of lust or for the sake of some other virtue, you feed Christ Who rejoices in chastity. Likewise when you are hungry and thirsty after...

Part of the fall is the tragedy that our intellect cannot longer (easily) perceive things beyond our bodily senses... as is evident from your post. Quote from a 7th century theological text (not exactly new age): Since man came into being composed of an intelligent soul and a sentient body...

When I read the word ground my mind thinks first of the human nature which was made out of the ground, also (or similarly) of the human heart (Matthew 13:19) and then of the visible type. Likewise, when I read thorns and thistles my mind pictures first of earthly cares and the passions of the...

There's certainly some truth to that, but to equate the two misses their distinctive function.

Water baptism is part of the Gospel. Isn't the Old Testament (and those who make good use of it to preach the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:52)) a better candidate for being the 2nd witness?

What about Matthew 17:10-13? 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they...

A certain wise man related once that he heard of one person that when he visited one of his friends house and found the room in disarray and even dirty, he would say to himself: "Blessed is this person, because having deferred his concerns for earthly cares, he has concentrated his mind that...

(continued) Now, it was God’s will to reveal this mystery quickly, and He did so through another widow who was about the same age as the blessed Anastasia. This woman was in the crowd, but was not aware that Anastasia was also there. In all the commotion that was going on in the rear of the...

Even poor widows! Forgive me for the long post, I promise, it's worth reading: Emperor Nicephorus of Constantinople who reigned from 1078 until 1081 decided to build a cathedral that would be almost as grant as St. Sophia. When it was ready, the patriarch of Jerusalem, the patriarch of...

Ouranoupoli, Greece

That’s how it is with our soul (woman). Through faith she received the bridegroom’s seed (Christ’s teaching) and by means of labors*, temptations, illnesses, persecutions, the scorn of men, any kind of tribulation and sorrow for God's sake, she brings forth Christ in us. _____ * literal...

Timothy, being very well versed in the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15) was likely violent (Matthew 11:12) with himself by means of fasting and abstinence from strong drink (Numbers 6:3), in imitation of many other holy men of the Old and New Testaments. It is not unreasonable to assume that such...

Is it? The threat* of eternal darkness saves more lives - even if only out of fear - and enables one to escape a multitude of sins, whereas the prospect of an easy way out (annihilation), increases the laxity of those who love this world. _____ * Same as the intent of what is said in Hebrews 12:6.

I absolutely agree with this! :) If we were to place this event chronologically, it would be the first few centuries after the apostolic preaching, when the Church was fiercely persecuted and much Christian blood (red) was shed, hence the reason for having a red horse. I said after the...

Gentleness (meekness) after being mercilessly tortured and crucified and while being reviled, had this to say: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) I don't think you will find a better definition/example than this.

The cat may not have as sharp an eyesight as the eagle, but she can see in the dark and is equally keen in detecting her pray using her focused hearing and her acute sense of touch and smell. Likewise the vigilant man (Matthew 24:43), in the darkness of this present life, has his inner senses...

Ninevah the great city is a type of the Gentile Church. The one hundred and twenty thousand men in it are those who have come to spiritual maturity and no longer know* (fall into) sins of the body** (left), nor are conceited in mind because of their spiritual accomplishments (sins of the right)...

I’m not against encouraging oneself with the hope of salvation and Christ’s love for us, especially when temptations plunge us into despair. But we need to investigate the reasons of such temptations and if we discover that it is because of some sin (the most likely case), we need to humble...

Forgive me Mr. Stan, I'm still a beginner in spiritual matters and like the blind man in my ignorance I stumble a lot (in understanding the scriptures), and the evil thoughts of my heart, like a demon possessed daughter (Matthew 15:22), drag my doggish mind back to the vomit of my past failures...