Faith Encouraged
Here Comes The Bridegroom
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The notice I received had this heading: “Attention” as a Cultural Problem and the Possibilities of Education. It was a notice of a lecture being held at a major university and it certainly caught my attention. One of the most consistent messages in all the writings of the Fathers is the absolute need for attentiveness to central truths. And one of the key weapons used against us in our spiritual growth is…
The Word of the Day
Appointed for Wrath or Salvation? (Fri, Nov. 25)
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The word of the day is “appoint.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13, 24-28, St. Paul assures the congregation at Thessalonica of God’s benevolent intentions for them. The Apostle writes, “For God did not appoint us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 9).  Paul has just warned his flock against the sleep of complacency and carelessness as they wait for the return of Christ.  But he quickly adds that God has no desire to catch them in the darkness of sin (vs. 9). Paul reassures the believers in this bustling city that they are not appointed to “wrath.”  The Greek word for “wrath” refers to the strongest of passions, the burning anger of…
The Word of the Day
Appointed for Wrath or Salvation? (Fri, Nov. 25)
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The word of the day is “appoint.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 5:9-13, 24-28, St. Paul assures the congregation at Thessalonica of God’s benevolent intentions for them.  The Apostle writes, “For God did not appoint us to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”(vs. 9).  Paul has just warned his flock against the sleep of complacency and carelessness as they wait for the return of Christ.  But he quickly adds that God has no desire to catch them in the darkness of sin (vs. 9). Paul reassures the believers in this bustling city that they are not appointed to “wrath.”  The Greek word for “wrath” refers to the strongest of passions, the burning anger of extreme…
Faith Encouraged
Today We Give Thanks!
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My daughter was having some challenges with her friends at school. There was a new group of girls that had invited her to become part of the group. They went shopping together and spent the night at one of the girl’s houses. They were being typical teenagers and having a great time. Then, one of the girls confronted her about what “someone” told her about my daughter. This mysterious “someone” told one…
The Word of the Day
Children of the Light and of the Day (Thurs. Nov. 24)
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The word of the day is “light.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8, St. Paul writes that the day of the Lord’s return will surprise many who are heedless and unprepared.  But not his congregation.  They are “sons of light and sons of the day” (vs. 5:5).  They live in the daytime of Christ’s light.  Even so, Paul admonishes them to stay awake, sober, vigilant, and ready to greet the Lord when He comes as Lord and Judge of the world. Paul’s declaration that the faithful are children of the light arises naturally from the thought that the Lord will come “like a thief in the night” (vs. 2).  The analogy of the burglar who breaks into a house…
Faith Encouraged
So ThankFul!
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Dear Ones, The past year has seen our Ministry face some difficult choices and some renewed joy. Just like life, this work is blessed and challenged by the realities of life. And you have been such a blessing to us here at Faith Encouraged Ministries. I am so thankful to God for you! We saw some real loss during the Pandemic that had us tighten our belts a bit and try to…
Faith Encouraged
Do It Again, Daddy!
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Think of one (just one) foolish thing you did as a child. I remember one “project” I attempted as a single-digit-aged kid. I thought it would be “fun” to paint the basement of our house! The problem was I didn’t have enough paint to do all the walls. I didn’t have the right paintbrush to do the job. And I didn’t have the “know-how” to do it right. Needless to say a…
The Word of the Day
A Quiet Life in a Noisy Society (Wed. Nov. 23)
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The word of the day is “quiet.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, St. Paul gives some practical advice for living in a world of noisy frenzy such as ours. The Apostle writes, “… that you aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands as we commanded you (vs. 10). In Paul’s day, the city of Thessalonica was the hub of Greece’s government, politics, commerce, military, and culture. It was a multi-racial and cosmopolitan city at the crossroad of prosperous East-West and North-South trading routes. Moreover, it was a flourishing port city on the Aegean Sea. Living a Quiet Life Amid the Frenzy Imagine how turbulent life was in…
Faith Encouraged
Learn How To Die to Death!
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One of the most fundamental marks of maturity is the clear and unmistakable realization that actions have consequences. Ideas have consequences because they become actions. And avoiding consequences is always a sign of immaturity. No wonder our modern world is struggling, as it has always struggled, with the consequences of ideologies and actions. And we see it everywhere. From the sad state of affairs in the war-torn Middle East to our very…
The Word of the Day
Hearts Blameless at the Coming of Christ (Tues. Nov. 22)
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The word of the day is “blameless.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, St. Paul prays that God would enable his congregation at Thessalonica to grow in their love for one another. He writes, “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you” (vs. 12). He adds the prayer that the result of this growth would be that God may “establish their hearts, blameless in holiness…” (vs. 13) . To be found without fault before God is the goal that our reading suggests as we begin our Nativity Fast. We are setting our sights on the “coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the…
No Other Foundation
The Self-emptying of the Mother of God
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In my Protestant days, I had no problem with anyone talking about Mary—so long as it was Christmas. On Boxing Day, that was it. Over. No more talking about Mary. What are we anyway, Catholics? It was understood that when we packed away the Nativity set, all talk of Mary got packed up along with it. And my proof that Bible-believing Christians should not talk about Mary? The New Testament never did. …
Faith Encouraged
In Those Days...
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Today the Church celebrates the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple. Her parents, Joachim and Anna, were both elderly when God granted their prayer request for a child. And, as Hannah did for her miracle baby, Samuel, these precious parents took Mary to the Temple in gratitude for the answered prayer. And, just like Samuel, Mary was raised in the Temple. You might ask why would parents do this, and that…
The Word of the Day
The First and Second Appearing of the Lord (Mon. Nov. 21)
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The word of the day is “coming.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 2:20-3:8, St. Paul expresses his affection for his congregation at Thessalonica. The Apostles writes, “For you are our glory and joy” (vs. 20). However, Paul is concluding the thought of the preceding sentence, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (vs. 19-20). The Royal Visit of a King Paul is thinking of the “coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ, using the Greek word “parousia.” This technical term refers to the royal visit of a king. It is derived from the thought…
Eastern Christian Insights
We Must Prepare in Order to Become Living Temples of God: Homily for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
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Hebrews 9:1-7; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28    Today we celebrate the feast of the Entrance into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos. Her elderly parents Joachim and Anna offered Mary to God by taking her to live in the Temple in Jerusalem as a young girl, where she grew up in prayer and purity as she prepared to become the Living Temple of the Lord in a unique and extraordinary way…
The Word of the Day
The Possibility of “Good Works” (Sun. Nov. 20)
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The word of the day is “works.” In today’s reading of Ephesians 2:4-10, St. Paul proclaims the works of God’s grace on behalf of those whom He has chosen for salvation.  The Apostle has already recounted the mighty works of God, who raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and seated him at His right hand.  Paul has already revealed that the Almighty has put all things under the rule of Christ, who now is Head of His Body, the Church (Eph. 1:19-23). The Mighty Works of God for the Faithful But now St. Paul rejoices in the works of God that apply to the members of the Body of Christ.  We note that he describes them in terms…
The Word of the Day
Joy Overflowing in Generosity (Sat. Nov. 19)
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The word of the day is “ joy.” In our reading of 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, St. Paul holds up the Macedonians as examples of generous giving.  The Apostle boasts that despite their abject poverty, they begged Paul for the favor of receiving their gift for the poor in Jerusalem.  He states, “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality” (vs. 1-2). Single-minded in Sharing Thus, Paul intends to impress his readers with the “liberality” of the Macedonians.  The word is derived from the thought of singleness of purpose.…
A Lamp for Today
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 40: Revelation Inside Out
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Traveling through the Apocalypse is an arduous experience. We have been able, in 39 episodes, to trace significant numbers,  themes, images, and patterns , as illumined by the Old Testament, and our Church Fathers. There are seven churches with seven letters, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls. There are the three female figures associated with humankind—the mother Queen with the crown of stars in the desert, Babylon the Whore, and the bridal…
Shepherding our Little Flock
Soothing Fears
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Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. – Luke 12:32 I must confess that I have struggled with worries and fears my whole life. You know who you are if you can relate. I absolutely recognize this as a deficit in faith and also know that I am imperfect and that as long as I struggle against my fallen nature and cry out…
Faith Encouraged
The Violence Of the Christian Faith
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Our modern world seems to run on violence. And it seems that every day the news is of more violence there and more violence here. From college campuses arguing over speech and “safe zones” and “trigger warnings” to the very real violence of terrorism all meant to disrupt and destroy. And can we even talk about what seems to be “perpetual war” in hotspots around the world where our soldiers are sent…
The Word of the Day
Overcoming Hindrances with Patience (Fri. Nov. 18)
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The word of the day is “hindered.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 2:14-19, St. Paul speaks of the hindrances that restrained Paul’s work among the Gentiles of this important port city.  Yet, despite these obstacles, Paul gives thanks to God for their enthusiastic reception of the Gospel. And he assures them that they are with him in his heart and that he desires to see them face to face (vs. 17.) Hindered from Reach the Gentiles In our reading, Paul speaks of the frustrating roadblocks to his plans, both human and supernatural.  First, there was the opposition of the Judaizers who insisted on the circumcision of Gentile believers.  Paul writes that the Thessalonians had suffered persecution just as the…
Glory to God for All Things
Through a Glass Darkly
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Perhaps the most intriguing passage in all of St. Paul’s writings is his description of an inner struggle in Romans 7. “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do,…
No Other Foundation
An Extraordinary Personal Appeal from Fr. Lawrence
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This is an extraordinary personal appeal, one which I do not make lightly. St. Herman of Alaska Church in Langley, B.C., Canada (of which I have been pastor since 1987) is in the process of building a new church temple on our property, and are about half completed. Our church community has already raised thousands of dollars from within our membership to complete this project. We were under the impression from our…
Faith Encouraged
Be Friendly If You Want Friends
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“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) This bit of wisdom is absolutely necessary to embrace. But it is especially true for young people to learn this lesson early so they can mature into healthy adults. And the reason is crystal clear: We were made for communion. We, humans, crave companionship. We long for connection and to…
The Word of the Day
Three Essential Elements of Gospel Proclamation (Thurs. Nov. 17)
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The word of the day is “father.”  In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 2:9-16, St. Paul breaks down the task of Gospel proclamation into three categories.  The Apostles writes, “…you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children” (vs. 11).  By studying the original Greek terms for these activities, we can better understand what the preaching and hearing of the gospel entail. In our English OSB translation, Paul begins his profile of preaching by saying how he “exhorted” the Thessalonians.  The Greek term is derived from the idea of “calling near.” The gospel proclamation thus “invites” and “intreats” its hearers to give heed to the message and respond to…
Faith Encouraged
Don't Avoid the Hard Work!
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Let’s face it; we all have to deal with unpleasant realities. You know the situations I’m talking about: those moments in life when there is either a difficult confrontation that has to happen or a struggle with bureaucracy or just a difficult relationship that has to end or change. It’s just not fun. It’s scary. It’s aggravating. But, it’s going to happen! So, how do we face such moments in life as…
The Word of the Day
The Gospel Delivered With Affection (Wed. Nov. 16)
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The word of the day is “ lives.” In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, St. Paul discloses that he earnestly desired to give something more than the Gospel to the Thessalonians. He writes, “So affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (vs. 8). Motivations for Gospel Proclamation Paul refers to many motives for preaching the Gospel: to please others (vs. 4); to satisfy covetousness, that is “greediness”(Strong/s #4124, 203); and to earn glory, that is, good opinion, praise, and honor (Strong’s #1392, 72).  Indeed, Paul recognizes that some proclaim Christ because they are envious of the…
Faith Encouraged
Be Humble! Pay Attention! Sunday's Homily
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