God "predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Ephesians 1:5) In His eternal purpose, the Lord appoints the destiny of His children, yet He does not extinguish the freedom of the human will. The divine act precedes all things; nevertheless, our assent remains indispensable. The following is a marginal note concerning this verse from the Orthodox Study Bible: "Being predestined by God does not nullify human will; in everything God is the Originator, the Initiator - we merely respond, but our response is necessary. Becoming a Christian is not so much inviting Christ into one's life as getting oneself into Christ's life. What is true of Christ must become true of one who is in Him."

I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14)

Let us bring to Christ our own disappointments, wounds, and questions. Let us allow Him to correct us through the Scriptures, to purify our understanding of His ways, and to set our hearts aflame with love of the truth.

Daily Scriptures Audio Day 305 – Isaiah 15-21; Psalm 103:1–18; Proverbs 22:6–10; Titus 1 https://dailyorthodoxscriptures.com/2025/11/01/day-305-isaiah-15-21-psalm-1031-18-proverbs-226-10-titus-1-3/ DOS Kids Episode 567 – Matthew 21:23-27 https://dailyorthodoxscriptures.com/2025/11/01/dos-kids-episode-567-matthew-2123-27-2/ #dailybible #biblereading

There is great wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to keep silent. Many a soul has found itself in needless conflict because words were spoken hastily, without knowledge of the full circumstance. Judgement, once uttered, cannot easily be recalled; it has the power to wound both the speaker and the one spoken of. Therefore, it is wise to weigh one’s words as a jeweller weighs gold—carefully, sparingly, and with reverence. Discretion is a forgotten virtue in our age of unrestrained opinion. Yet the Bible teaches us, “He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3). To speak without understanding is to invite trouble; to repeat hearsay is to multiply sin. Moderation in speech reflects maturity of soul. It shows that one has learned the delicate art of listening more than speaking, and of discerning truth before passing judgement. However, silence does not mean cowardice, nor does prudence in speech excuse neglect of moral duty. There are occasions when we must speak, especially in the face of injustice, deceit, or sin. To remain silent in such moments would be a betrayal of conscience and truth. Yet even in such instances, we must speak with charity and discernment, not with bitterness or vengeance. As Saint Paul reminds us, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) is the measure of holy speech. The tone, motive, and manner of our words should reflect a desire for correction, healing, and peace, not for humiliation or contention. When we keep silence, we allow our Lord the space to speak within us. Silence is not weakness; it is discipline. It is an expression of humility, recognising that we are not always in possession of all the facts, nor are we called to pronounce on every matter. The wise man considers the weight of his words, knowing that the tongue can bless or curse, heal or destroy. May each of us learn to cultivate holy restraint. Before speaking, let us ask these questions: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? And above all, does it serve justice and the glory of God? If not, then silence will serve us better. In holding our peace, we not only protect our own conscience but also preserve the peace of others. For it is far better to be thought silent and prudent than to speak rashly and reap the harvest of regret.

🕮 Epistle (Ephesians 4:7-13) Brethren, to every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the giving of Christ. Wherefore He saith, Ascending on high, He led captivity captive; He gave gifts to men. Now, that He ascended, what is it, but because He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ. 🕮 Gospel (John 15:17-25) At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: These things I command you, that you love one another. If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated Me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember My word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you: If they have kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come, and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth Me, hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no other man hath done, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law, They hated Me without cause.

Epistle to the Colossians 1:12-20. Giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for by him were all things created, things in the heavens and things upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fullness dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 18:33-37. Pilate therefore entered into the Praetorium again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this of thyself, or did others tell it thee concerning me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice.

The end times are not something to fear, but something to hope for. Christ will return, the dead will be raised, and those who love Him will share eternal life in His Kingdom. Until that day, we are called to live faithfully, always ready to meet Him.

"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light." - Romans 13:11–12

Warning! It appears there are individuals posing as military personnel or retired servicemen. While Lord’s Book is the finest Christian social networking site I am aware of (which is why I moved here from Facebook), no social network is entirely free from those who seek to cause harm. Sadly, it is not only “military” scammers, but also individuals (or perhaps automated bots) who search for profiles indicating that a person is single. This is a Christian site. If you are a man and a woman’s profile attempts to communicate with you, yet she is dressed immodestly or in a scandalous manner, it is unlikely to end well. Be vigilant and exercise discernment when communicating with such people. Block them, and if possible, report them.

"As for me, I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." (Micah 7:7) #salvation

Daily Orthodox Scriptures Audio Day 293 – Jonah 1-4; Psalm 92; Proverbs 20:1–5; 2 Thessalonians 2 https://dailyorthodoxscriptures.com/2025/10/20/day-293-jonah-1-4-psalm-92-proverbs-201-5-2-thessalonians-2-3/ Daily Orthodox Scriptures Kids Episode 555 – Matthew 18:21-35 https://dailyorthodoxscriptures.com/2025/10/20/dos-kids-episode-555-matthew-1821-35-2/ #audiobible

Homily on Luke 18:1–8 Our Lord teaches us this parable “that we ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Prayer must never be isolated to an occasional resort in crisis but the continual breath of the soul. It is the atmosphere of faith, the daily turning of the heart toward the Face of God, and the patient consent to His timing. The Church does not treat prayer as an optional discipline; she receives it as the way in which we live before the Holy Trinity. .... full homily at https://frcharles.com/poustinia/homily/persevering-in-prayer-and-remaining-faithful/

Daily meditation on God’s Word nourishes and stabilises the soul, just as water sustains a tree. "For whatever was were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

"It is no longer I who live, but Messiah who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

Readings: Revelation 1:1–5; Saint Matthew 18:1–10 The readings for today confront us at our centre, making us examine our complacency. They are not light words to be admired and then forgotten; they are thunderous proclamations of the Lord’s will and demands upon His people. From the beginning of the Apocalypse, Saint John shows us that what he bears is not a matter of his imagination, but the direct revelation of Jesus Christ Himself, entrusted to the Church for our salvation. Significantly, it is delivered through an angel, reminding us that the bodiless hosts are ever God’s messengers, mediators of His will, and guardians of His people. The voice of the Alpha and the Omega sounds forth, He is the beginning and the end, the One who was, who is, and who is to come. The urgency is undeniable. “The time is near.” We are not given the comfort of delay, as though we might put off repentance to another season. We are called now to awaken. See how John speaks of blessings for both the reader and the hearers of this prophecy—yet the blessing is not for listening alone, but for keeping what is written. Too often we delight in hearing holy things, but we fail to live them. Too often we decorate ourselves with outward piety while the heart remains cold, proud, or unrepentant. The Apostle tells us that Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, has freed us by His blood and made us a kingdom of priests to His God and Father. If this is so, then how shameful it is when those consecrated to God live like the world, bowing to its lusts, clinging to its vanities, and trifling with sin. If He has shed His blood to wash us, shall we trample it with carelessness? If He has made us priests and rulers in His kingdom, shall we continue as slaves to our passions? Let us not deceive ourselves. The Lord’s dominion is eternal, and He is not mocked. Yet to those who repent, His love is unfailing, His mercy ever sure, His blood never failing in its power. Turning to the Gospel, we are confronted with a question the disciples themselves dared to ask, “Who is the greatest?” Even those closest to the Lord wrestled with ambition, pride, and the spirit of comparison. Christ does not thunder at them, but He places a child in their midst. With utter seriousness He declares that without turning and becoming like children, we shall not enter the kingdom at all. The kingdom does not belong to the proud, the self-promoting, or the hardened. It belongs to those who humble themselves, who entrust themselves, who remain simple in faith and guileless in heart. How searching is His warning. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Him to stumble, it would be better for such a one to be drowned in the sea with a millstone round his neck. Can there be a sterner word spoken to us? Do we take our Lord’s words seriously? If we by our scandal, by our cruelty, by our neglect or false teaching, destroy the faith of even one soul entrusted to us, Christ declares that death itself would be a lighter burden than the judgement awaiting us. It is not only those who corrupt children in body or soul, but all who by example and negligence lay stumbling-blocks before the weak, who will be held accountable. Woe to us if we mock, despise, or crush the tender faith of another. Therefore the Lord speaks with such fearful clarity—if your hand, your foot, or your eye causes you to stumble, cast it away. Better to enter life maimed than to be whole and perish. This is not a call to self-harm, but to ruthless seriousness in spiritual struggle. We tolerate too much within ourselves. We excuse our sins as trifles, forgetting they are poison. Our Lord is clear on the matter. Cut off the cause, sever the bond, uproot the passion. Better to suffer loss in this life than to lose eternal life. This is a call to vigilance, to stern warfare against sin, and to a holy fear of judgement. Here too Saint Michael serves as an icon for us. He is the prince of the heavenly hosts who did not tolerate the rebellion of Satan, but cast him and his angels down. If there is no place for compromise in heaven, there can be no compromise in our hearts.... https://frcharles.com/poustinia/homily/homily-on-the-dedication-of-saint-michael-the-archangel/

"The fear of the Lord is more important than anything. To what will it be compared?" - Wisdom of Sirach 25:11

"Así que, si han encontrado estímulo en el Cristo, si consuelo en amor, si comunión del Espíritu, si compasión y misericordia, hagan completo mi gozo al ser de un mismo modo de pensar, un amor, un alma y un mismo sentir." - Filipenses 1:1,2 "So if you have found encouragement in Christ, if comfort in love, if fellowship of the Spirit, if compassion and mercy, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, of one love, of one soul, and of one mind." - Philippians 2:1,2

Sufran con los que sufren, ámense unos a otrosa, y sean misericordiosos y mansos. - 1 Pedros 3:8 Suffer with those who suffer, love one another, and be merciful and gentle. - 1 Peter 3:8

Respect in the Church The Holy Church confesses that in the Divine Liturgy the Holy Gifts truly become the Body and Blood of Christ, and that, in every consecrated temple, the Lord abides among His people in a manner at once mysterious and real. His presence is a living reality that summons the faithful to reverence of mind, word, and deed. Our Lord Himself assures us: “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). If His nearness is promised wherever the faithful assemble, how much more should we employ a sober and devout bearing in the holy temple, wherein the Church ascends mystically to the heavenly altar and where the Holy Mysteries are offered for the life of the world. The Apostle also directs attention to the ecclesial character of the temple as “the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). https://frcharles.com/poustinia/homily/respect-in-the-church/

Living with hope is at the heart of the Christian life as the Church understands it. In our tradition, hope is a theological virtue given by God and received in freedom, binding the soul to the promises already inaugurated in Christ and yet to be fully revealed in the age to come. It is inseparable from faith and love, and it matures within the life of the Church as we are led towards theosis—the healing and elevation of the human person by grace. St. Paul teaches, “We are saved by hope. But hope that is seen is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?” (Romans 8:24). This saving hope fixes the heart on Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, on His promised appearing in glory, and on the inheritance of incorruption. The Orthodox mind therefore treats hope not as an inward mood but as a steady participation in the divine life, a stance of filial trust fostered by the Holy Spirit, an “anchor of the soul” that holds fast amidst the tides of time (cf. Hebrews 6:19). https://frcharles.com/poustinia/homily/living-with-hope/