Interrupting the Silence

Month: December 2009

  • Get Up Again

    A monk came to Abba Sisoes and said: “What should I do, Abba, for I have fallen from grace?” And he replied, Get up again.” The monk came back shortly after and said: “What shall I do now, for I have fallen again?” And the old man said to him, “Just get up again. Never… Read more

  • Incarnation, Theosis, Ecstasy

    In a previous post I wrote about ecstasy; that God is ecstatic and we are called to respond to his ecstasy with our own ecstasy. This double movement of God to humanity and humanity to God underlies the doctrine of theosis and describes the very purpose of incarnation. This double movement is sometimes referred to… Read more

  • The Ecstasy of Christmas

    The collect and readings for Christmas Day may be found here. The appointed gospel was John 1:1-14. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.… Read more

  • The Cradle of Birth and New Life – A Sermon for Christmas Eve

    The collect and readings for Christmas Eve may be found here. The appointed gospel is Luke 2:1-20. In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered.… Read more

  • Hymns on the Nativity – St. Ephrem

    “The Son of the Most High came and dwelt in me, and I became His Mother; and as by a second birth I brought Him forth so did He bring me forth by the second birth, because He put His Mother’s garments on, she clothed her body with His glory.” – St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity, Hymn XI. Read more

  • Nativity Sermon of St. Isaac the Syrian

    This Christmas night bestowed peace on the whole world; So let no one threaten; This is the night of the Most Gentle One – Let no one be cruel; This is the night of the Humble One – Let no one be proud. Now is the day of joy – Let us not revenge; Now… Read more

  • Advent 4C – Greeting our Coming Salvation

    Every year on the last Sunday of Advent, the Sunday before the Nativity, the lectionary presents us with a gospel concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is the Church’s reminder that the time of our salvation is approaching. In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill… Read more

  • The Time of our Salvation Approaches

    Behold, the time of our salvation approacheth; make thou ready, O cave; for it is time for the Virgin to give birth: and thou, Bethlehem of Judah, rejoice and be happy; for from thee shall shine forth our Lord. Listen O, mountains and hills and the regions about Judah; for Christ cometh to save man… Read more

  • Hail Mary

    Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. This prayer known as the Hail Mary or Ave Maria incorporates the greetings… Read more