Monday Inspirations 06/22/26
Posted June 22, 2026
Inspiration to Start the Work Week
"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!"
- Matthew 6:22-23
What other eye does He mean here other than the mind? This eye can be simple if it sees simple (pure) light. Simple (pure) light is Christ. Thus, whoever has in himself the light of Christ, which would shine in his mind, about him it is said that he has the mind of Christ. When your eye, that is, the mind, is simple, that is, shines, then your bodiless body, that is, all the parts of your soul, will be light; and to the contrary, when your mind is evil, that is, darkened and extinguished, then your whole soul will be dark. Thus, think well—is darkness or light in you? Think deeply also—do you not think that you possess what you have not yet begun to acquire? Look well at this, that you might not be deceived and think that you have light in you when it is not light, but darkness.
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
It is crucial that we keep our focus on Christ and see the world through his teachings with a loving and generous spirit. When we lose our focus and are distracted by unhealthy pursuits, we can quickly find our soul becoming darkened. When this happens, we become envious of others, selfish and greedy.
In verse 24, it says that no one can serve two masters. We must strive in all things to serve the Lord. When other things in our lives start to take precedence, we quickly begin to distance ourselves from God's will for us.
As Saint Symeon tells us above, we must examine ourselves because what we think is light in ourselves may be darkness. It is easy to stray from God without realizing it.
Take some time this week and consider your relationship with the Lord. Be sure that he is your priority and that you are following him not chasing after other distractions.
We all need to be honest with ourselves, so that we remain guided by the light of Christ.
Love in Christ,
Fr. Paul
“To be near or far from God depends on man himself, because God is everywhere.”
May we choose each day to draw closer to Christ, for in Him we find true peace, hope, and eternal life.
— Saint John Chrysostom