Haitham Fakhouri

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On Fasting: “Do not say to me that I fasted for so many days, that I did not want this or that, that I did not drink wine, that I endured want; but show me if you from an angry man have become gentle, if you from a cruel man have become benevolent. If you are filled with anger, why oppress your flesh? If hatred and avarice are within you, of what benefit is it that you drink water? Do no show forth a useless fast: for fasting alone does not ascend to heaven.” –St. John Chrysostom

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Moving Mountains

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Faith can move mountains. Logically, it is impossible to move a mountain. But not with faith. How can a mountain so huge and so high be moved? Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Dear friends, you think your problem is so hard for God to solve? Think again! You need to have faith.

Ask God to increase your faith. Nothing is impossible to almighty God. Trust in Him. A mountain in Egypt was moved by the prayer of St. Simon the Tanner in the 10th century. If God moved a real mountain in Egypt, can’t He move a mountain in your life?

May God bless you.

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 “…If it is the Lord’s will, we will do this or that.” (James 4:15)

We plan things and speak in certainty as if we have control of the future. We speak of the future as if we are immortal. We often forget that life is fragile and the unexpected can happen anytime without warning.

Dear friends, always say God willing, when you plan to do this or that. Life is unpredictable. We hope things will go as planned, but there is never a guarantee.

St. James wrote, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know that will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

May God bless you.

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Christ our God, at all times and in every hour, you are worshipped and glorified in heaven and on earth. Long in patience, great in mercy and compassion, you love the righteous and show mercy to the sinners. You call all to salvation through the promise of good things to come. Lord, receive my prayer at the present time. Direct my life according to your commandments. Sanctify my soul. Purify my body. Set my mind aright. Cleanse my thoughts and deliver me from all sorrow, evil and distress. Surround me with your holy angels that, guarded and guided by you, we may arrive at the unity of faith and the understanding of your ineffable glory. For you are blessed to the ages of ages.

Amen.

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