We can still bloom during a storm!
Category: Faith Hope Love
Thy Word Have I Hid in Mine Heart
Rose petal confetti on church’s front door’s marble floor mosaic.
He Leadeth Me
He restoreth my soul.
Hymn of Kassiani
This ethereal hymn by the brilliant female Byzantine hymnographer Saint Kassiani, is sung only during Holy Week’s Tuesday evening Bridegroom service (the Wednesday Matins), and again at the Presanctified Liturgy on Great and Holy Wednesday. A spiritual treat.
The woman who had fallen into many sin, O Lord, yet when she perceived Thy divinity, she joined the ranks of the Myrrh-Bearers.In tears, she brought Thee myrrh before Thy burial. She cried “Woe! woe is me; I live in the heart of licentiousness, shrouded in the dark and moonless love of sin. But accept the fountain of my tears, Thou who dost gather the waters of the sea to clouds. Bow down Thine ear to the sighing of my heart, Thou who didst bow the heavens in Thine ineffable condescension. Once Eve heard Thy footsteps in Paradise, in the noon of the day, and in fear, she ran and hid herself. But now I will tenderly embrace those pure feet, and dry them with the hairs of my head. Who can measure the multitude of my sins, or the depth of Thy judgments? O Saviour! O Saviour of my soul, despise not Thy servant. For Thine mercy, for Thine mercy is beyond measure.
Remember-izing Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121 is also known as one of the Hymns of Ascents. In times of old, when pilgrims walked all the way to Jerusalem to visit the Holy Places of Christ, this was one of the many Psalms and hymns sung along the way! So, this is a good Psalm to keep in our hearts as we journey to Pascha. This Psalm reminds us our help comes from the Lord, and that prayer can be done any time. Whether we pray aloud, or silently within our hearts, prayer helps us grow closer to God. We can talk to God by using our own words, or a prayer book, or by saying a Psalm. Sometimes, depending on what’s happening in our lives, we might feel sad or anxious, and may not even feel like praying for help. But, when we persevere with courage and pray regardless… these are the sweetest prayers of all to God.
Memorizing a Psalm is great thing to do on one’s own, or together as a family!
While snowbound for a week during a blizzard, my grandma Faith (Memory Eternal) challenged my kid brother and me to some memory work.
She picked her favourite Psalm (121), and my brother and I raced to see who could learn it the fastest.
Alas, it was a mercenary contest of sibling rivalry, and a great number of pennies were involved in betting against each other.
Upon this untimely discovery by my grandmother, the illegal (in her eyes) gambling operation was quickly nipped in the bud and the forbidden “winnings” never collected.
Consequently, the contest escalated to the next level. Evidently, remembering Bible verses for a short while was too easy, so my grandma (tough cookie that she was) gave pop quizzes days later.
Meanwhile, my brother shrewdly – um, wisely… discovered how to wield a Bible Concordance, and learned other scripture passages to his advantage. For instance, at the next kerfuffle, he’d simply narrow both eyes at me and bring things to a grinding halt – just saying the reference: “Leviticus 19:17.” Or, with furrowed brow, sniff disdainfully: “Psalm 31:18.”
He learned before I ever did, that distractions are sibling-safe ways out of predicaments!
Decades later, these Psalms that we learned together by heart, remain in our hearts.
And to my brother (who still owes me 81 pennies): “Philemon 1:7 ~ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
What a blessing.
Of Eagles & Olive Bread
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31
With the gift of free time, I’ve dusted the cobwebs off simple activities tossed aside – and begun doing.
There was time to garden yesterday and bake olive bread!
One hears amazing stories from friends and family reconnecting by playing games, sharing or renewing skills, and just being with each other. What a blessing!
While treading the delicate path of social distancing, we can still remain close, and reach out to each other using many forms of social media.
Meanwhile, for me, one of the hardest things with social distancing is the inability to safely hug or touch each other, if we’re not already living together. Touch is a powerful bond.
However, even from a distance, it’s humbling to see what we are accomplishing together as we focus on goals and not just the task.
Cyber-bumping your elbow, I take my leave.
I’m feeling energized. Today’s a brand new day, and there’s much to be done in the garden.
Feast Day of the Annunciation
May Thy Light shine in my thoughts; may they be illumined by Thy rays and may Thy magnificent radiance gladden them, for Thou art the sun that radiates all.
~ St. Ephraim the Syrian, Spiritual Psalter
Today, the sun shone extra brightly on this beautiful feast of the Annunciation, celebrating the Archangel Gabriel’s Good News to the Virgin Mary, that she would give birth to the Son of God.
Good news comes in many forms. It can be surprising or hoped for, but it’s always welcome and appreciated.
During the current world pandemic and the safety laws for physical distancing ourselves from each other, the normal routines of our daily lives have vanished almost overnight. Little in the world seems familiar.
Now is the time to especially remember a great consolation – that we are never deprived of God, because God is always right here, right now, within us.
True, we may be temporarily isolated, and physically apart from each other, but we are never alone. We remain connected with each other through the Holy Spirit; embraced by God’s enduring love, compassion, forgiveness and great mercy.
This is permanent good news!
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come; Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39
Jesus Christ remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8
Thank you Anastasia for sharing this beautiful photo of your icon corner today.
Just for Now
A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love. ~ St. Basil the Great
This has been a very unusual Great Lent. Granted, each year is different, no two are ever alike. There’s different struggles and temptations.
Through repentance, prayer, fasting and charity, Great Lent renews our minds, hearts and deeds according to His teachings. It refreshes our love for God and neighbour as oneself. During this quiet time of inner reflection, we prepare ourselves for the coming Great and Holy Day of Pascha (Easter), the Resurrection of our Lord.
Unexpectedly driven into global stillness and isolation, there’s an unprecedented general hush throughout our world. Whether we wish it or not, we have a rare opportunity of unavoidable introspection… individually and nationally.
We can see the best and the worst in ourselves. We see the selfless love, courage and compassion of others, during a trying time.
This year, the whole earth is united in a collective Great Lent. Together we wait with quiet hope and patience for Renewal.
Christmas Lights Bring Joy in March
O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. ~ Psalm 96:1
What a brilliant idea! Christmas Lights are being put up again outside people’s homes. Countless numbers of people are doing this.
The lights reflect a visible tribute of gratitude to our courageous community champions, who work the dangerous frontlines during this epic time. Valentine shaped heart cutouts appearing on homemade front yard billboards, windows, mailboxes and telephone poles, collectively honour them too.
At 7 pm each night in Canada and around the world, people in neighbourhoods everywhere stand on their front porches to give a two minute standing ovation for the essential services workers. Whether by clapping our hands, banging pots and pans, ringing bells, or cheering… we proclaim a united, appreciative THANK YOU for selfless dedication.
It gives goosebumps and an uncustomary lump in one’s throat hearing this resonate simultaneously throughout neighbourhoods and cities.
It’s not surprising two expressive symbols of Light and Love are being used to show our love and gratitude for others during this time. Christmas Lights reflect humankind’s hope and joy, celebrating Jesus Christ’s Birth. St. Valentine Hearts honour a special saint known for great faith and love for others.
During these trying times when we must practice physical distancing from each other, somehow we’ve grown much closer together in spirit.
God’s Beautiful Promise in the Sky
After a sudden tropical shower, this rainbow embraced each side of the golden-sand bay with its shining arms.
Like life, dark clouds had unexpectedly blown in, dumping torrential rain. Running to shore we sheltered beneath an ancient mango tree and waited patiently for the storm to play out. When the clouds scattered, the sun shone brighter than before. All was renewed and vibrant.
The rainbow is a covenant which means a promise from God, “This is the sign of My promise that never again shall there be a flood great enough to destroy all living things on the earth.”
Like Great Lent, each new rainbow reveals itself differently. If we reach out, look up, and hold fast in faith, they both bestow blessings of renewed hope and a vibrant Promise of life.