The Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel; Venerable Father Stephen the Sabbaite (9th c.); Holy Father Julian, Bishop of Kenomane
1 Corinthians 2:9-3:8; Matthew 13:31-36
Read 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:8
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
“The Corinthians’ inability to receive solid food was not by nature but by choice, so they were without excuse.” – St. John Chrysostom
One of the greatest things I currently lack in my own spiritual life is a spiritual director. Prior to and throughout my seminary formation, I benefited greatly from the guidance and support of my numerous spiritual directors. They were also my confessors, and they knew all the good and bad of my spiritual life and were able to aid its growth tremendously. There were times when their guidance was gentle and comforting, and there were other times when it was firm and direct.
Let’s be honest, we don’t often like firm and direct. We want gentle and comforting every time, yet, would this not stunt our spiritual growth if all we constantly heard was what we wanted to hear and not what we needed to hear?
Sometimes our spiritual life needs gentle guidance and sometimes it needs strong direction. Be ready to receive either without offense but with openness to the Lord speaking to us through another, be it our spiritual director, confessor, spouse, friend, or His Word.