Monday Inspirations 05/18/26

Posted May 18, 2026

Inspiration to Start the Work Week

O Christ our God, the noetic Sun of Righteousness, who by Your immaculate touch illumined in both ways the man who was deprived of sight from his mother’s womb, do also illumine the eyes of our souls, and make& us sons of the day, so that with faith we may cry out to You: Great and ineffable is Your tenderheartedness for us, O Lord who loves humanity. Glory to You.

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Christ is Risen!

The following excerpt from the Year of Grace of the Lord helps us to see yesterday's gospel, in the light of the resurrection. Let us pray for the light of Christ to illuminate our eyes and our hearts. I also offer the reflection from the Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Last Sunday - the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman - at the liturgy, the following antiphon for communion was sung: 'Rejoice and be glad, door of the divine Light (that is to say, the Virgin Mary), for Jesus, after being hidden from sight in the tomb, has risen again more brightly than the sun, thereby illumines all believers'. Here, there is a return to the theological and liturgical theme of light, which, as we have already said, is so characteristic of Byzantine spirituality; here, too, more particularly, there is a reminder of the link between the Resurrection of Christ and the light that shines into our consciousness. An external event, be it even the Resurrection of our Lord, has no practical value for our souls unless it translates itself, in them, into an increase of that inner Light which must direct our whole life.The light of Christ is an essential paschal theme. It is this theme which is developed on the sixth Sunday of the Easter season, called the 'Sunday of the Blind Man', when the healing of a blind man is commemorated and leads to the idea of our own blindness and healing.

Love our risen Lord,
Fr. Paul

Y2AM - Orthodox Christian Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Christ is Risen!

The Sunday of the Blind Man reminds us that Christ does not simply restore physical sight. Christ also gives the kind of vision that lets us see God, ourselves, and the world with truth and hope. The man born blind had never seen light, yet he recognized Christ more clearly than those who claimed to know everything.

For young people, this Gospel shows that faith is not about having all the answers but about being willing to let Christ open our eyes step by step. It teaches us that spiritual sight grows through trust, honesty, and the courage to stand for Christ even when others misunderstand us. For those who work with youth, this story challenges us to help them see beyond the pressures, comparisons, and fears that cloud their vision.

The Blind Man’s healing happens through encounter — a reminder that young people need real encounters with Christ, not just information about Him. And in this radiant season of the Resurrection, we remember that the same Christ who brought light to the blind man brings light to every dark or confusing place in our own lives. His light is not distant; it is personal, healing, and always offered.

As we leave the Divine Liturgy today, let us commit to opening our eyes to Christ’s presence, seeing others with compassion, and walking as children of the Resurrection in everything we do this week. #Blind #Pascha #Orthodox