Praying in the Rain
![Cover art of Praying in the Rain Praying in the Rain](https://assets.blubrry.com/coverart/300/293263-1722702971.jpg)
Latest Episodes
Knowledge As The Infancy Of Love
Fr. Michael shares from Homily 47 of St. Isaac the Syrian. "Knowledge is not something to be held in contrast to love; but rather, knowledge is the beginning of a process or journey that leads to love. Knowledge is the infancy of love. And just as a July
Holding Thorny Hands
A couple of weeks ago, a disturbed young man got onto the metro train in Vancouver and began acting erratically and shouting and cursing. As people in the car began moving away from him, one woman did the opposite. A seventy-year old woman moved toward th
Stillness and Love: Shunning Your Neighbour To Love Your Neighbour?
"St. Isaac the Syrian’s homily 44 is one of his several very difficult homilies. It is difficult not because it is hard to understand. Exactly the opposite is the case. It is quite straight forward and easy to understand. I understand it, and I am offende
Disciplines, The Shifting Meaning of Words, and the Narrow Way
In Homily 43, St. Isaac speaks of three areas of ‘discipline,’ or areas in which we must guide or rule our life. Proper discipline in these areas leads to purity. These three areas are bodily discipline, leading to purification of the body; discipline of
Humility And Patience In Trials
Patience, according to St. Isaac the Syrian, can cut in half the adversity and affliction one experiences in trials, regardless of the source.
Joy and Fear Together: St. Isaac Helps Us Discern Our Trials
Continuing in homily 42, St. Isaac gives us another warning. When you find unchanging peace, that is, when everything is going smoothly for you most of the time, then “beware: you are very far from the divine paths trodden by the weary feet of the saints.
St. Isaac’s Warning Applied to Advice From Holy Elders
In Homily 42, St. Isaac the Syrian makes an interesting statement about spiritual guidance. He says, “Do not seek advice from a man who does not lead a life similar to your own, even if he be very wise.” St. Isaac goes on, “Confide your thoughts to a man
The Almost Blind Leading the Almost Blind: Theosis For Those Who Do Not See Very Well
It seems as though the nearer I draw to God, the farther away I realize I am. The more I realize, the less I understand. People sometimes ask me about certainty: “How can you be certain about your faith in God?” Honestly, I gave up certainty years ago. Th
Bagging Experiences
I was speaking to an eighteen year old recently who told me about her bucket list: things she wanted to do before she dies. At the time, I didn’t think much about it. In fact, it seemed rather mature of her to have such specific goals. However, as I have
Talking About Sexual Immorality
Fr. Michael reflects on a sermon by St. Gregory Palamas about barbarian invasions and sexual sins.