The Simple Path to God

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented."

When asked to describe the difference between a saint and a non-saint, St. Seraphim of Sarov replied simply: "Determination"

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

St. Gregory Palamas teaches that Christ's commandments must be understood from the context of God cleansing His creation from the disfigurement of sin.

"Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

...that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Thoughts are like airplanes flying in the air. If you ignore them, there is no problem. If you pay attention to them, you create an airport inside your head and permit them to land! - St. Paisios

"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.

However many passions afflict us, they never rise up as many. They only come against us as one.

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

Then Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily I say unto you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Homily by Fr. Spyridon Bailey. Recorded at the beginning of Bright Week, 2023.

The saints are our guides in the spiritual life.

Christians Must Prepare for Martyrdom (w/ Fr. Spyridon Bailey)

Peace of Heart (w/ Fr. Spyridon Bailey)

Purifying the Heart (w/ Fr. Spyridon Bailey)

Branches That Bear no Fruit (w/ Fr. Spyridon Bailey)

The example of Adam and Eve warns us of our pattern of sin and how death is both physical and spiritual.

We are called to watch for the approaching Judgement.

St. Gregory Palamas teaches us how we can reconcile to God when we have fallen into sin.

We can easily fool ourselves about whether we love God.

Jesus warns of the damage we can commit against the soul.

The Church Fathers teach us how to combat evil thoughts. The epidemic of mental ill-health is partly the fruit of the harm caused by evil thoughts.

St. Gregory Palamas teaches us that the Ascension is a calling to be transformed, and that this transformation requires a living faith.