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Led by the Spirit: Come and See
Come and See
Watch as Fr. Michael discusses the Sunday of the Blind Man and what it means to truly see.
ABOUT FATHER MICHAEL MARCANTONI
Fr. Michael Marcantoni is the priest at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit in Rochester, NY. Originally from Puerto Rico, he is a Veteran of the United States Army, he has been married to his Presbytera Katherine from Arequipa, Peru for 10 years. They have two children. Led by the Spirit is presented to you to be practical, applicable spiritual guidance for the struggles of everyday life.
Something Bigger Than Myself: One Young Adult's Search for a Home in the Church
Michelle Torski
What's it like to be a young adult in the Orthodox Church? We sat down with Michelle Torski to find out her story, how she connects to the church, and the reality of young adulthood today. [Read more]
Our Hall or Gym
Important Announcement
Lately there has been a lack of consideration and communication in the use of the church facilities. Please be mindful to return items and the areas you have used to, at least, its prior condition.
We have a multitude of groups that utilize these facilities and a little effort in everyone's part will go a long way in helping maintain a healthy and clean environment for all to enjoy.
Thank you for everything that you do!
Kindness Costs Nothing
We will now be including the daily reading of Epistle and Gospel with The Prayer Team.
Fruits of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5: 22-23
He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. Proverbs 21:21
Good morning Prayer Team!
Today we begin a discussion on the fifth “Fruit of the Spirit,” kindness. While love and self-control take time to grow, kindness, in my opinion kindness is the fruit that is most easily grown and in the least amount of time.
Society has made a big deal about “random” acts of “kindness,” like paying for someone’s coffee in a drive through. I’m not sure whether this kind of random act classified as kindness or as just nice. Because kindness is a Christian virtue, acts of kindness should be “intentional” to those around you, whether in your family or in your school or church.
There are an endless number of small acts of kindness:
- A sincere greeting
- Words of encouragement
- Validating someone’s feelings
- Lending someone a shoulder to cry on
- Offering a sympathetic ear
- A word of thanks
And many more. . .
When I think of what is “unkind”, I think of those situations when these basic things are missing. Being ignored. Words of discouragement. Putting down someone for their feelings. Walking away from someone who needs help. Talking instead of listening. A word of criticism.
Small intentional acts of kindness would go a long way to building up people, to improving human relationships, to healing the anger that is present in society.
Kindness honors our personhood. Kindness dictates that even criticism can be delivered with compassion, safeguarding the dignity of our humanity. We’ve all been victim to circumstances where we’ve walked away thinking, “if only someone could have extended a little kindness. . .”
Acts of kindness are great ways to show gratitude for God’s blessings to us. Because God blesses us so freely, we should offer acts of kindness to others freely as well.
Lord, thank You for all of Your blessings. Help me show gratitude for Your blessings through intentional works of kindness towards others I meet today, whether I know them or not. Help me to see every opportunity to show compassion and kindness today. Amen.
Look for opportunities to do intentional acts of kindness today!
+Fr. Stavros