+ When the Lord was going through Jericho to Jerusalem for His Holy Passion, a very noble and notable man of Jericho, Zacchaeus, desired to see the Lord but was unable to do so because he was “little of stature.” So Zacchaeus made himself a laughing stock and climbed...
+ Blessed Jonah’s Fast “The king [of Nineveh] conquered enemies with a display of valor and mighty strength. He, the king, conquered God, however, by humility.” – Maximus of Turin “We hear that Jonah prayed in the belly of the whale and that God heard his prayer. From...
+ Most of all, let us make sure to prefer one another in honor, to account for others better than one’s self, not deeming this to be a lessening of yourself. If you prefer another in honor, you have honored yourself more. On all occasions, let us yield...
+ Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled…” (John 6:26). It is as if Christ said, “You seek Me to satisfy the flesh, not the...
+ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John 9:3) One might ask, “Did the blind man suffer for the glory of God?” Tell me, what wrong did he suffer? Rather, I assert that he...
+ He must increase, but I must decrease. What is this? He must be exalted, but I must be humbled. How is Jesus to increase? How is God to increase? The Perfect does not increase. God neither increases nor decreases. For if He increases, He is not perfect;...
+ Christ is the spouse of every soul; the wedding in which they are joined is baptism. The place of that wedding is the Church; the pledge of the wedding is the remission of sins and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The consummation of the wedding, eternal...
+ Blessed Feast of Theophany You have received money not that you might use it for your body for excess gold and ornaments but that you might release and nourish the poor. Say, therefore, constantly that which you said when you were initiated [into Baptism]: I renounce you,...
+ Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Christ is born; glorify Him. Christ comes from heaven; go out to meet Him. Christ descends to earth; let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad, for His sake who was first in heaven and then on earth. Christ is...
+ A Blessed New Year with Christ For our salvation, the Son of God is made the Son of man. Nine months, He awaits His birth in the womb, undergoes the most revolting conditions, and comes forth covered with blood, to be swathed in rags and covered with...
