Reflections – Page 56

Fullness of Joy

The Bleeding Heart is a lovely old-fashioned flower which symbolizes unconditional love, and compassion for everything in creation.

May God grant you fullness of Joy today!

Man seeks joy and happiness in heaven. He seeks what is eternal far from everyone and everything. He seeks to find joy in God. God is a mystery. He is silence. He is infinite. He is everything. Everyone possesses this inclination of the soul for heaven. All people seek something heavenly. All beings turn towards Him, albeit unconsciously. Turn your mind towards Him continually. Learn to love prayer, familiar converse with the Lord. What counts above all is love, passionate love for the Lord, for Christ the Bridegroom. Become worthy of Christ’s love. In order not to live in darkness, turn on the switch of prayer so that divine light may flood your soul. Christ will appear in the depths of your being. There, in the deepest and most inward part, is the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). ~ Elder Porphyrios

Forget Me Not

When to the flowers so beautiful the Father gave a name,

Back came a little blue-eyed one (All timidly it came);

And standing at its Father’s feet and gazing in His face,

It said, in low and trembling tone and with a modest grace,

“Dear God, the name Thou gavest me, Alas I have forgot!”

Kindly the Father looked him down and said:

“Forget-me-not.”

By Emily Bruce Roelofson; born in 1832, Cincinnati

Start Walking!

The Old Bridge was constructed on top of long tree trunk. Point No Point, BC Canada

The only way to attain an important goal – is by doing.

When recovering from an injury, the physiotherapist suggested taking a local gym membership, and continue daily strengthening exercises on my own. I did, and initially all gung-ho, it was shocking to soon discover the grueling exercises in themselves weren’t the arduous part … The hardest part for me, was actually getting to the gym. Going to the gym became a battle. Every. Single. Time. Bizarrely, once at the gym, all was fine. But, to do it- I just had to go.

I’ve heard from parents, that the hardest part of going to church with babies, youth, or teens, is just getting there. Once they’re there, all is fine. But, to do it- they just had to come.

Time is shorter than we think, and we can’t afford to put off essential intentions by waiting for perfect conditions to start. Tomorrow never comes. There is only today.

To reach a goal, the name of the bridge we cross over is- Start Doing.

True, one may know man’s final goal: communion with God. And one may describe the path to it: faith, and walking in the commandments, with the aid of divine grace. One need only say in addition: here is the path- start walking! ~St. Theophan the Recluse

As Waters Flow

Hawaiian River 2018

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ~ John 7:38

We see the water of a river flowing uninterruptedly and passing away, and all that floats on its surface, rubbish or beams of trees, all pass by. Christian! So does our life… I was an infant, and that time has gone. I was an adolescent, and that too has passed. I was a young man, and that too is far behind me. The strong and mature man that I was is no more. My hair turns white, I succumb to age, but that too passes; I approach the end and will go the way of all flesh. I was born in order to die. I die that I may live. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom! ~St. Tikhon of Voronezh

God descends to the humble as waters flow down from the hills into the valleys. ~ St. Tikhon of Voronezh

As a fish cannot swim without water, and as a bird cannot fly without air, so a Christian cannot advance a single step without Christ. ~ St. Gregory of Nazianzus

Honoured Patience

Mosaic Seraphim – St. Sophia Orthodox Church, Canada

Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honour your patience.

~ St. John of the Ladder

Time to Shine

Hawaiian Sunrise 2018

Off-Grid in Cappadocia

Goreme, Cappadocia – 2006

Cappadocia is an ancient central region in Asia Minor, and an important centre of early Christianity. Unusual coloured pinnacles of soft volcanic rock, dot the hot and dusty Cappadocian landscape.

St. Basil the Great (330 – 379 AD), Bishop of Caesarea and Cappadocia is known as one of the (Three Hierarchs) Cappadocian Fathers who lived in the region, along with his brother Saint Gregory of Nyssa , and St. Gregory the Theologian.

Under the directive of St. Basil the Great, the early Christians began carving numerous cave churches, and monastic communities. These were hewn by hand, and the projects continued over the next 500 years. Vast networks of underground cities were also created by these tenacious inhabitants.

Many of the cave churches in Goreme retain their colourful iconography to this very day, and are a highlight to any visit to Cappadocia.

They that live in the wilderness, have an unquenchable longing for God, as they are far from the tumult of life… Hymn of the Ascents

Wherever They Are

Hawaiian Beach Wedding – Hanalei, 2012

During a sunset walk on the beach, we happened upon a couple having wedding photos taken.

We snapped a quick picture, and offered a silent prayer for God to bless them in their life ahead.

The spontaneous kiss and obliviousness to everyone and everything (including the incoming tide splashing up to their knees), completed the romantic scene perfectly.

Of course, marriage is not just romance.

The Crowning at an Orthodox Christian wedding, symbolizes the glory and honour bestowed by God upon the couple during this sacrament… and that Christ establishes them as King and Queen of their home, which they are to rule with Wisdom, justice, and integrity.

The crowns are also referred to as Crowns of Martyrdom.

My godmother related a wedding story with newlyweds asking WHY on earth would there be a need to call these Martyr’s Crowns?

My godmother just said, “You’ll find out.”

Whenever I come across this photo, I can’t help but wonder how the beach couple are doing now.

May God help and bless them, wherever they are… in life’s journey.

Beasts of the Earth

It’s been a blessing to have had various pets throughout my life, and at times I still miss them.

Besides providing unconditional love, support and comfort… they help people live longer. (Or it can seem longer, with a tone-deaf cockatiel.)

All creatures great and small, carry the Divine Spark within, thereby enriching our lives because they can love.

Although animals or birds can’t speak as we do, they do nonetheless, praise God in their own way.

The beasts of the earth are unpretentious. They have no agenda. They are not ambitious, and live fully in the moment.

If we let them, they will teach us so many beautiful things.

The humble man approaches ravening beasts, and when their gaze rests upon him, their wildness is tamed. They come up to him as to their Master, wag their heads and tails, and lick his hands and feet, for they smell coming from him that same scent that exhaled from Adam before the fall, when they were gathered together before him and he gave them names in Paradise. This was taken away from us, but Jesus has renewed it, and given it back to us through His Coming. This it is which has sweetened the fragrance of the race of men. ~ Isaac the Syrian

Laudation

Hawaiian Daybreak, 2012

We should be spectators every day of the wonders of God. ~Mother Gavrilia

All true beauty has the power to draw the soul towards thee, and to make it sing in ecstasy: Alleluia! ~ Kontakion 7, Akathist of Thanksgiving Glory to God for All Things

Blessed be the name of the Lord from henceforth, and forevermore! ~ Psalm 113:2

Happy Sunday!