We begin our journey today with a recount of the apostles Paul and Silas and their encounter on the way to a place of prayer: “that a certain young girl, possessing a spirit of Python, met us, who was producing much business for her masters by divining. She followed after Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are slaves of God, the Most High, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” [Acts 16:16- 17] This young girl was possessed with an ability to see or identify these two men as followers of Christ. Blessed Theophylact identifies this possessing demon Python as a pagan deity. In describing Pythia he said that she wore her hair loose, was raving mad, letting out spittle from her mouth, as she spoke in a drunken behavior. [P.G. 125:127, 128 (col. 732)] If only “CRAZY” was as easy to identify in today’s theatre of actors!
This upcoming week as we head into the great Ascension of Christ, I try to envision that great event, if only my eyes had seen! “If only” sometimes seems to be a theme in my life. Maybe I too, if I seen with my own eyes or pressed my hand into the pieced side of our precious Lord’s body, I also would change my ways, keep my lamp full of oil all the time, and pray without ceasing like my life depended on it! And maybe I could learn to love without limits, and quit gossiping and judging others. And quit wasting the precious time I left on vanity and things that rust and decay… And maybe one day “CRAZY” would identify me as a “slave of God, the Most High!” But I seem have more excuses than a politician.
Because it seems my blindness includes all of my senses as I thrash around in life like a possum in a poke, instead of focusing everything I have on the Great Mission “ Go Ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” (Matt 28:19) Becoming more like Christ means that I must stop building my Golden Calf (Exodus 32), and turn, turn to the Ascended Light and shed my skin of slithering darkness. I don’t know how this works for you, but it seems as for me, it is a layer, by layer cleansing. I fall down, I get up. And I get up because there I just something missing from my life!
Are You Saved yet? His mercy is certainly abundant, but there is so much more yet to be done towards my salvation. “I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every idle word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt 12.36).May God grant us all the time we need and the eyes to see the things separating us from keeping festival with the saints. And may the love of our Mother and the love we have for our Mother, the Most-Pure Virgin safe us!
“I sing of thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and I pray thee to grace my mind. Teach me to step aright in the way of Christ’s commandments. Strengthen me to keep awake in song, and drive away the sleep of despondency. O Bride of God, by thy prayers release me, bound with the bonds of sin. Guard me by night and by day, and deliver me from foes that defeat me. O bearer of God the Life-giver, enliven me who am deadened by passions. O bearer of the Unwaning Light, enlighten my blinded soul. O marvelous palace of the Master, make me to be a house of the Divine Spirit. O bearer of the Healer, heal the perennial passions of my soul. Guide me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed in the storm of life. Deliver me from eternal fire, and from evil worms, and from Tartarus. Let me not be exposed to the rejoicing of demons, guilty as I am of many sins. Renew me, grown old from senseless sins, O most immaculate one. Present me untouched by all torments, and pray for me to the Master of all. Vouchsafe me to find the joys of heaven with all the saints. O most holy Virgin, hearken unto the voice of thine unprofitable servant. Grant me torrents of tears, O most pure one, to cleanse my soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to thee unceasingly, strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God. O thou who art above the angels, raise me above this world’s confusion. O Light-bearing heavenly tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in thy praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O all-immaculate one. Deliver me from soul-corrupting evils, and fervently intercede with Christ, to Whom is due honour and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.” (Prayer VII, to the Most Holy Theotokos: Jodanville Prayer Book)
Fr. Gabriel Weller 5-17-2026
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