Jesus is the Good Shepherd who tirelessly seeks out His sheep, and His love knows no bounds. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) These words reveal the depth of Christ’s love, a love that is neither superficial nor temporary, but one that embraces all of humanity with unwavering devotion. He is not a hired hand who abandons the sheep in times of peril; rather, He stands firm, offering His very life to protect, nurture, and guide His flock.
“If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” (Romans 6:8) St. Paul writes about a truth that lies at the very heart of our faith—we have died in Christ. This reality, though seemingly paradoxical, holds the key to our redemption and the hope of eternal life. Through the sacrament of baptism, we were mystically united with Christ in His death and resurrection. As the water flowed over us, we were cleansed of sin and reborn into the family of God. This moment marked not just a symbolic transformation but a very deep…
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17) In these words of the Apostle Paul, we perceive the sacred mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the very centre of our life in Christ. The cup that we bless and the bread that we break are not mere symbols, nor are they common food and…
“God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) In this single verse, we encounter the fullness of God’s love, as it reveals the Father’s sacrificial gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Him. It is through the Trinity, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that this incredible love is made known to us, drawing us into a deeper relationship with God. God the Father, in His infinite love, sent His Son into…
“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the…
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city…Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they…
The entire Christian life is summed up in the two great commandments given by our Lord Jesus Christ: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). These commandments are not basic ideals but the very foundation of our salvation, for love is the essence of God’s being, and to abide in love is to abide in Him. (1 John 4:16) However, love in the Christian sense is not simply an emotion or sentiment; it is an active and sacrificial way of life, inseparable from obedience to Christ and His…
The twenty-fourth chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, beginning with verse thirteen, recounts an event that occurred on the first day of the week following the crucifixion and burial of our Lord. Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking to a village called Emmaus, discussing the recent events that had unfolded—Jesus’ death, His burial, and the strange reports of His resurrection that had begun to circulate. As they journeyed, a stranger approached and began walking with them, but they did not recognise Him. The stranger engaged them in conversation, asking them what they were discussing, and then began to open…
The Holy Eucharist is at the heart of the Orthodox Christian life. We do not regard it as a mere symbol, nor as a theological abstraction, but as the true and actual presence of Christ—His Body and Blood, given to us for our salvation. As our Lord Himself declared: “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.” (John 6:53-54) From the…
Follow Your Spiritual Father’s Guidance If you are unable to keep the full fast due to illness, weakness, or medical needs, consult your priest or spiritual father. The Church does not expect the sick to fast in a way that worsens their condition. Modify the Fast According to Necessity Those with chronic illnesses (such as diabetes, heart disease, or gastrointestinal disorders) may need to consume dairy, eggs, or even meat. Those on medications that require food should eat as necessary. The elderly or weak may be permitted a less strict fast. Spiritual Fasting Still Applies If you are unable to…
