Who is the Father?

Greek icon, The Mystical Supper

7th Week of Easter, Sunday

John 17:1-11a

โ€œNow glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began.โ€

The word โ€œgloryโ€ rings several times in this passage, evoking an unfamiliar and unworldly milieu.… Read the rest

Mysteries Too Deep

Icon of the Trinity by Andrei Rublev

6th Week of Easter, Saturday

John 16:23-28

The Hour is Coming

โ€œOn that dayโ€ of rejoicing, Jesus says, โ€œyou will not question me about anything.โ€ But on this day, โ€œwhatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.โ€… Read the rest

Your Hearts will Rejoice

6th Week of Easter, Friday

John 16:20-23

Gaze upon a flower for one minute and observe its movement. It appears to be still, but it is constantly changing, growing or fading. The wind blows and it sways. Light and shadows flicker continuously so that it appears in a slightly different shade every second.… Read the rest

What is Friendship?

Russian icon, The Mystical Supper (early 14th century). Fresco in Vatopedi Monastery, Mt. Athos.

5th Week of Easter, Friday

John 15:12-17

โ€œI have called you friends.โ€

Extraordinary words uttered by Jesus. Greek philosophers like Aristotle had already proven for centuries that friendship with the gods was impossible.… Read the rest

The Way

Duccio, The Last Supper, Maestรก altarpiece (1311)

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 14:1-6

Facing his impending death, Jesus comforted his disciples, saying, โ€œDo not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.โ€… Read the rest

Whoever Sees Me

Christ Pantocrator, Mosaic from Hagia Sophia

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 12:44-50

Since the time humankind began philosophizing, we have wondered about the nature of ultimate reality. What is it? Earth, air, fire, water? Atoms? Matter? Mind? Spirit?… Read the rest

God’s Beloved Sheep

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10:22-30

Jesus assures us in todayโ€™s Gospel reading that no one can take his sheep out of his hand. He knows each of his sheep by name and their unique identities. 

โ€œMy Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Fatherโ€™s hand.โ€

Read the rest