PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

The frightening freedom of divine love “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.” — Luke 9:50 There is something almost painfully human about the disciples in this Gospel. They have discovered a man casting out demons in the name of Jesus, and immediately they are troubled. Not because the demons remain. Not because the man is deceiving anyone. Not because the name of Jesus is being dishonored. Their complaint is much simpler: “He does not follow with us.

The terrible ease with which we can stand beside Christ and still be occupied with ourselves “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” — Luke 9:44 There is something almost unbearable in the sequence of this Gospel. Jesus tells the disciples what is about to happen to Him. He does not speak vaguely. He tells them that He will be delivered into the hands of men. A darkness is already gathering around Him. Betrayal, humi

When even the good we do for God must be surrendered “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” — Luke 10:20 The most dangerous possessions are sometimes the ones we acquire in the service of God. The seventy return to Jesus radiant. “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” They have every reason to rejoice. They have not accumulated wealth. They have not conquered cities. They

The hidden servants by whom the Kingdom is quietly carried “And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities… and many others, who provided for him out of their means.” — Luke 8:1–3 It is easy to pass over these three verses. Saint Luke tells us that Jesus “went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God.” The Twelve were with Him. But then the Evangelist turns our attention,

The Freedom of a Heart That Has Forgotten the Room “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” — Luke 7:50 Everyone in the room is looking at the woman. The woman is looking only at Jesus. Perhaps this is the most beautiful thing about her. She enters the house already known. Her reputation has arrived before her. Simon does not need to ask who she is. He knows—or thinks he knows. A sinner. The others surely know as well. But she seems almost unaware of them. She does not explai

The terrible mercy of discovering what our lives are actually built upon “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” — Luke 6:46 There are words of Christ that console us. There are others that strip us. This is one of them. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” There is almost something frightening in the simplicity of the question. Christ does not ask whether we believe the correct things about Him. He does not ask whether we admi