Waiting involves attention. We have to pay attention to our thoughts. We have to notice what is happening in our minds and thoughts and feelings leading up to and when and after we sin. And learning to pay attention to our thoughts takes time. It’s something that we have to practice. It is, the Fathers tell us, an important part of prayer. When we practice prayer with attention (attention to what we are praying, to being present and not allowing our mind to wander), then we develop this ability to pay attention to our thoughts at other times too.

All suffering, however, regardless of its apparent immediate source, can be understood as the wrath of God. But we must never forget that we call it God’s wrath because of how we feel and how we experience it, not because God is at all angry or vengeful. Rather, God both allows and brings about suffering in our lives as a doctor treating a patient. What patient after major surgery has not experienced the wrath of the physical therapist? Healing the body is often painful.

Fr. Stephen introduces the gospel of John

Fr. Stephen begins discussing the Gospel according to John.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of John 1.

Fr. Stephen finishes his discussion of John, Chapter 1.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses John, Chapter 2.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of John, Chapter 3.

Fr. Stephen DeYoung continues the discussion of St. John's Gospel, chapter 3.

Fr. Stephen De Young ends the discussion of John, Chapter 3, and begins his discussion of Chapter 4.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his discussion of John, chapter 4.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of John, Chapter 5.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues discussing John, Chapter 5.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his discussion on John, Chapter 5.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the study of John, chapter 6.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his discussion of John, Chapter 6.

Fr. Stephen DeYoung begins his discussion of John, Chapter 7.

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes his discussion of John, Chapter 7.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of John, Chapter 8.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues his discussion of John, Chapter 8.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his discussion of John, Chapter 8.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses chapter 9 of the Gospel of John.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of John, Chapter 10.

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes the discussion of John, Chapter 10.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of John, Chapter 11; the raising of Lazarus.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues his discussion of the Gospel of John, Chapter 11.

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his reflection on John, Chapter 11, and begins looking at Chapter 12.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues his discussion of John, Chapter 12.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues the discussion of John, Chapter 12, verses 37 to 50.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 13:1-30.

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes the discussion of John, Chapter 13, and begins Chapter 14.

Fr. Stephen De Young leads a discussion of John, Chapter 14.

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the second part of John, Chapter 14 and the first part of John, Chapter 15.

Fr. Stephen De Young wraps up the discussion of John, Chapter 15.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of John, Chapter 16.

Fr. Stephen De Young continues his discussion on the Gospel of John, Chapter 16.

Fr. Stephen De Young leads a discussion on John, Chapter 17.

Fr. Stephen De Young wraps up the discussion of John, Chapter 17.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of the Gospel of John, Chapter 18

Fr. Stephen De Young concludes his discussion of John, Chapter 18, and begins Chapter 19.

Fr. Stephen De Young carries on with the discussion of the Gospel of John, Chapter 19.

Fr. Stephen De Young wraps up the discussion of the Gospel of John, Chapter 19.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins his discussion of the Gospel of John, Chapter 20.

Fr. Stephen De Young finishes his discussion of John, Chapter 20

Fr. Stephen De Young discusses the final chapter of the Gospel of John.

Fr. Stephen De Young gives an overview of the Epistle of St. James.

Fr. Stephen De Young begins the discussion of James, Chapter 1.

Fr. Stephen De Young leads a discussion of James, Chapters 1 and 2.

Fr. Stephen De Young speaks from the Epistle of St. James.

Fr. Stephen De Young leads a discussion from the Epistle of St. James.