“Oh be careful little eyes what you see…”  As young parents we sang this song to our children reflecting the message of God’s love and warning about the many things that influence their precious eyes and ears.    Now that Maria Sophia and Nicholas are teenagers, we recognize the many ways we are bombarded with choices. Cell phones carrying podcasts, text messaging, TV programming, iPod shuffles, Blackberrys, TiVo-to-iPod Hollywood… we can be wired-up any time, download thousands of songs, relay hundreds of advertising messages, get up-to-the-minute news and scores to any game, anyplace, anytime or anywhere.  Today the iPod, a small handheld device, has become a type of icon for the modern world. 

Our ears and eyes are gates to the soul that shape us whether we know it or not.  We must examine what feeds our soul or what tears us away from living a life of true holiness.

 “Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”                                                                                     Romans 12:2

The church is imploring us to be selective about what we see, hear and do, choosing things that feed our soul. She is always asking us to examine our lives, to see where we are devoting our time, energy and thoughts.   Are we noticing what we see, what we listen to, where we walk, and whom we follow?  St. Basil says, “We should not be deceived by the corrupting delights of this world, but rather become strengthened in the desire to attain the treasures of the world to come.”

When we were baptized, the priest anointed our chest, ears, hands, and feet expecting that we (with the guidance of godparents and parents) will seek a life in Christ that is pure, good and holy.  We are clothed in Christ! To become true living icons, we must make prayer the foundation of our life. 


Tito Colliander said:  “If we learn to pray we will vanquish all the evil powers that could imaginably hurt us.”  He says, “Prayer is one wing, faith the other, that lifts us heavenward.  With only one wing no one can fly:  prayer without faith is as meaningless as faith without prayer. But if your faith is very weak, you can profit by crying: Lord, give me faith!”

My hope, desire and prayer for our Holy Apostles family is that we make choices that feed our soul ~ asking our Lord to guide and strengthen our faith.  We are clothed in the Holy Spirit and should continually discern what is feeding our mind and soul.  “Oh be careful little eyes what you see…”       + Fr. Tom