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The Word of the Day
The Unchanging Faithfulness of God in a Changing World (Sat. Feb. 4)
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The word of the day is “faithful.” Change is the way of the universe, and no one in the world can stop it. Day and night, the seasons, the years, the tides, the weather, the social order, the generations– all these change. Governments, economies, fashions, and fortunes may also change, but there is One who does not change, the eternal God. And because He was, is, and always will be the same (Hebrews 13:8; James 1:17), He is faithful. In our reading of 2 Timothy 2:11-19, Paul testifies to this faithfulness. The Everlasting God remains faithful whether or not we are faithful or unfaithful. Accordingly, the apostle affirms, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him He also will deny us. …
Glory to God for All Things
Do We Ever Get It Right?
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In the film, Ground Hog Day, actor Bill Murray awakens each morning to the same day – February 2 – and does the same things over and over. At first it’s fun. Then it’s maddening. Indeed, a whole string of days finds him committing suicide in an attempt to stop the repetition, only to awaken again to the same day. In conversations about the film, the writer-director Harold Ramis suggests that the…
The Word of the Day
Partakers of the Divine Nature (Fri. Feb. 3)
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The word of the day is “partakers.” In various places in the New Testament, we hear that we are called to become “like God” by grace. Our reading of 2 Peter 1:1-10 ties all these references together in the concept of “deification.” At the core of today’s passage, the apostle writes, “… that you may be partakers of the divine nature…” (vs. 4). Our discussion will explore the background of this thought. A startling statement by Athanasius summarizes the topic of today’s study. In 318 A.D., the theologian wrote a seminal book entitled On the Incarnation. To explain why the Son of God came down from heaven to “become man,” the church father wrote, “God became man so that man might…
Faith Encouraged
According To Your Word
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One of the most meaningful Pro-Life demonstrations I ever saw was a graduating High School class deciding to put out the number of empty seats with them in the graduates’ area of all the children who would have been graduating High School with them had they not been aborted. It was a powerful, silent, but effective witness of what had been sacrificed by the rampant abortions in this society. We truly are…
A Lamp for Today
Light from the Canticles 3: No God Beside Him!
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Deut 32:19-43; Jeremiah 1:10; Hosea 6:1-3; Our last episode considered the luminous first eighteen verses of the second canticle of Moses, taken from Deuteronomy, with its many ways of picturing the Almighty. It ended, though, on a sober note, reminding us how easy it is to forget the LORD, who “gave us birth.” The second half of the canticle goes on to picture the LORD’s vigorous response to this human forgetfulness and…
No Other Foundation
Who Prays for Marilyn?
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I know a man in Christ who prays for Marilyn Monroe every day as a part of his prayers for all the departed. He doesn’t pray for her under her stage-name of “Marilyn” though. He prays for her under her real name of “Norma Jeane”, the name given her by her mother and under which she was once baptized by (of all people) the evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson while under the foster…
Glory to God for All Things
Candlewax and Hedgehogs - Groundhog Day
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Candlewax and Hedgehogs—a peculiar way to entitle an article, I’ll admit. But both have their associations with the second day of February. The first is more important so we’ll begin there. The second day of February is one of the 12 great feasts, and is also celebrated by Christians in the West. The feast is the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, described in the second chapter of St. Luke’s gospel. There…
Faith Encouraged
My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation
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Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. It recalls the Baby Jesus being brought to the Temple by His mother and foster father to present an offering to God on behalf of the firstborn son. You see, in the Mosaic Law, the firstborn son is “holy” unto the Lord. In Exodus 13:2 God commands the people to consecrate the firstborn male to Him. By the way,…
The Word of the Day
When Fiery Trials Come (Thurs, Feb. 2)
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The word of the day is “strange.” Routine is a good thing for most of us. If things do not change significantly, we can make plans and carry on with our lives without interruption. Yet, the scriptures warn that the faithful should be prepared for a change of routine, for the suffering of trials. For instance, in today’s reading, the apostle writes, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to happen to you as though some strange thing happened to you” (vs. 12). Indeed, today we celebrate the “Meeting of the Lord in the Temple.” Though she had no need for purification, Mary submitted in humility to the Law and gave offerings for the infant Jesus and herself in the…
Faith Encouraged
This Is A Test - Sunday Homily
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Faith Encouraged
You Are Never Rejected!
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She was always cheery. It seemed no matter what, she had a smile on her face. I could count on some inspirational quote or some uplifting phrase every morning as we worked together. And then, the bottom fell out of her life. I watched as her smile began to fade and her words of encouragement became fewer and fewer. You see, her life and disposition had never been tested like this before…
The Word of the Day
The Urgency of Preparing for the Imminent Return of Christ (Wed. Feb.1)
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The word of the day is “end.” The days and weeks, and years go by. Last Sunday, like Zacchaeus, we climbed a tree to catch sight of Jesus. Now we are preparing to follow Him as He makes His way to Jerusalem. Everything that is happening in our world: the wars, the famines, the weather catastrophes, the lawbreaking and competition for power, the competition for wealth, and fame seems to keep going on and on. But in our reading of 1 Peter 4:1-11, we hear the apostle declare, “The end of all things at hand” (OSB vs. 7). Today we reflect on this Word and the urgency of our response to it. Do We Really Believe the Peter’s Words? The end is near? How…
Faith Encouraged
You Are the Body of Christ
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“Your worldview has to have the same shape that reality does.” This quote by American philosopher J. Budziszewski seems to be common sense. But anyone looking at society today will have to conclude that common sense isn’t really all that common. It seems to make sense that how I see the world should include the reality of that world. Of course, humans, blinded by selfish narcissism and short-sighted self-interest can’t embrace reality…
The Word of the Day
Who Can Harm Us if We Do Good? (Tues, Jan. 31)
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The word of the day is “harm.” Many passages of scripture give the impression that the Almighty will guard and protect those who follow His ways. Indeed, in today’s reading of 1 Peter 3:10-22 we are reassured, “Who would love life And seek good days…let him turn from evil and do good…for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (OSB vs. 3-12). Today we will explore the apostle’s teaching that the Lord gives security and relief to the righteous. But we will find that in this passage, Peter provides us with insights much deeper that the simple equation…
No Other Foundation
A Report from Langley
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Many people from around the world have kindly contributed to my parish of St. Herman of Alaska in Langley, B.C., helping us and saving us from financial catastrophe as we struggled to build a new church temple on our property, striving to overcome many unforeseen obstacles and problems. Recently we reached another architectural milestone, in that we finally, after many, many delays, crowned the building with a large cupola. The cupola weighed…
Faith Encouraged
You Are The Light. You Are The City on the Hill!
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The famous philosopher Aldus Huxley once wrote: “If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves it is because self-knowledge is painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion.” Huxley wrote “The Perennial Philosophy” in 1945 and suggested that the basic wisdom of authentic human reality is common to all religions. An interesting historical note, he died the same day as C.S. Lewis and President John F. Kennedy. There is a great little…
The Word of the Day
Being of One Mind (Mon. Jan. 30)
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The word of the day is “mind.” According to our modern idea of individualism, everyone has their own ideas and opinions. And most likely, these differing outlooks will not agree. Thus, our media is more interested in uncovering our disagreements with one another than our agreements. But note the different spirit in today’s reading of 1 Peter 2:21-3:9. In this passage, the apostle concludes his practical instructions with a summary of how we should regard one another. He writes, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous…” (OSB vs. 8). How Can Individuals Be of One Mind? Much of what Peter advises has to do with our feelings for…
The Word of the Day
Practice What You Preach, Teach What You Practice (Sun. Jan. 29)
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The word for the day is “yourself.” It is easy to give other people advice. But it is harder to follow our own counsel. Today in our reading of 1 Timothy 4:9-15, the apostle urges the young Bishop Timothy, “These things command and teach” (OSB 4:11). Yet if we read closely, we find a secondary theme to Paul’s words. Timothy must practice what he preaches. Today we learn the importance of paying attention to our own spiritual growth and life before, during, and after we try to guide others in their faith and life. The Context of Paul’s Advice to Timothy Our reading begins, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (OSB vs. 9). However, we are…
Eastern Christian Insights
Presenting Ourselves to Christ like the Canaanite Woman: Homily for the 17th Sunday After Pentecost and the 17th Sunday of Matthew in the Orthodox Church
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2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Matthew 15:21-28 When we think of what it means to become holy, many things probably come to mind that have more to do with our culture, comfort, and customs than with true righteousness. Even as there is a strong temptation to try to make God in our own image, we are inclined to understand what it means to share in His life according to…
Shepherding our Little Flock
Ignore the Splinter!
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“How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Brother, Sister, let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when you don’t see the log in your own eye? You deceive yourselves! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.” – Luke 6:42 (Common English Bible Translation) I find a tricky area of…
The Word of the Day
The Psychology of the Human Person: Body, Soul, and Spirit (Sat. Jan. 28)
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The word of the day is “whole.” We sometimes think of the person as divided into “soul” and “body.” But today we find that this familiar psychology is incomplete. In our reading of 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23, Paul teaches a more comprehensive scriptural psychology. The apostle writes the concluding prayer: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 23). In other letters, Paul divides the person into two parts. These are “body and spirit,” never into “body and soul” (e.g., 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Cor. 7:34). But in our reading, the apostle notes that human nature has three parts:…
Faith Encouraged
Why Ask Why - Zacchaeus Sunday - Homily
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Because when you forget your “why” you lose your way! When you lose the central truth of anything, the chances of that truth staying with you in a meaningful way reduce to zero! The Orthodox Faith touches every aspect of our everyday lives and attacks the basic weakness and spiritual sickness of self-centeredness. As we approach Great Lent and confront dear Zacchaeus, we are confronted with the consequences of desiring Jesus above…
The Word of the Day
The Voluntary Self-Offering of the Lord (Fri. Jan. 27)
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The word of the day is “offered.” In our reading of Hebrews 7:26-8:2, the apostle compares the sacrifices of the Levitical high priesthood with the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The apostle notes that both high priesthoods “offered up” sacrifices. The Greek word “offered up” is derived from the thought of carrying or leading something (Strong’s #399 ) as a lamb is led up to the altar for sacrifice. But the high priestly sacrifice of the Lord was different than the Levitical High Priesthood that goes back to Aaron. First, the Levitical high priests had to offer sacrifices daily. But the Lord offered up the perfect, “once-for-all” sacrifice. Second, the Levitical high priests made sacrifices “first for his own sins…
Faith Encouraged
One Of A Kind
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It’s never been “popular” to confront our very prideful and “autonomous” societies with the exclusive teaching that the only way to God the Father is through Jesus Christ. In fact, most societies and cultures have reacted rather badly to this Christian faith message. Our human history shows a swing in the pendulum of society between the extremes of individualism (like today’s society) and the communal erasure of the person, like societies where…
No Other Foundation
“Corrective Baptism”?
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One would not have guessed that the question of whether to receive a person into the Orthodox Church by baptism and chrismation or by chrismation alone would be a hot issue given the history of reception into the Church. Both methods have been widely used in the ancient and recent past and continue to be used in the present. This is not something in the order of magnitude of (for example) the…
The Word of the Day
On the Pursuit of Riches (Thurs. Jan. 26)
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The word for today is “riches.” In our reading of James 4:7-5:9, we hear a shocking condemnation of the rich. We may think of the rich as prosperous and those who have wealth to be admired. But for the apostle, it is the opposite. The rich may think they have a good and happy life now. But James writes, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you” (James 5:1). If the Rich Knew Their Fate The rich may be comfortable now. But the apostle teaches that if they knew their fate, they would sob and wail. The rich will be overtaken in “miseries,” a word that comes from the idea of trouble, and…
Faith Encouraged
Invest Your Talents!
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I remember reading the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie years ago. You see, I thought going into sales was going to be my career and that classic book was part of a foundational training for budding salesmen. Going through my first sales training was eye-opening, to say the least. We learned how to overcome objections and hesitancy in our potential customers, and I just couldn’t shake…