Eastern Christian Insights
Of What or Whom Are You An Icon?: Homily for the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council and the Fourth Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church
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Titus 3:8-15; Luke 8:5-15 One of the most obvious characteristics of any Orthodox church is the presence of icons. They certainly beautify the church, but it would be a mistake to think that they are present merely for aesthetical reasons. They actually manifest the deepest truths of our faith, including the good news that the Son of God became fully human in order to restore us as…
The Morning Offering
A People Set Apart
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In the world but not of the world Outliers are people detached from the culture at large, a people who by their very nature are set apart from the rest of society. It is not because we think of ourselves as better than our neighbors, but rather, that we are God’s people, a holy people, a people whom God has…
Word of the Day
The Glorious Resurrected Body and the Renewal of Creation (Sat. Oct. 10)
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The word of the day is “incorruption.” In today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 15:39-45, we turn our attention from material things of the present to the futures’ spiritual things. In this passage, St. Paul speaks of our bodies’ transformation when God raises them from the dead. He writes that in the resurrection, “the body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption” (vs. 42). The Glorious Resurrected Body The Apostle describes how glorious our recreated bodies will be (vs. 42-45). Now they are subject to corruption; that is, they are infected with inevitable decay and destruction (Strong’s #5356 & 5351, 263). They are dishonored; that is, they are debased with shame and indignity (Strong’s #819, 46). They are weak;…
Glory to God for All Things
Beholding God Face to Face
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During this season of mask-wearing, we have become weary of a “faceless” existence. I can think of nothing that is more de-personalizing that the hiding of our face. I respect the science (and certainly would not want a surgeon operating on me without a mask). But I lament our common experience even as I pray for this time to pass. I also think, however, of how many masks we have all worn…
No Other Foundation
Orthodoxy and the Environment
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I remember in the balmy days before the pandemic struck and shoved every other news story out of the journalistic limelight that there was a lot of attention paid to the environment. Up here in Canada, for example, one day the news was dominated by the protests over the building of an oil pipeline and how this pipeline would spell doom for us all. Protestors had stopped the trains from running in…
A Lamp for Today
Scattering Abroad and Thankful Generosity
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2 Cor 9:6-11; Psalm 111/112; 1 Kings 17 As I contemplate our Epistle reading for this coming Sunday, I sit surrounded by reminders of God’s goodness to our family. As ex-patriot Canadians, we celebrate Thanksgiving early, and I enjoyed spending time with my grandchildren this week, singing (to the Godspell tune) “All Good Gifts Around Us” with several of them. Even our pup, Angus, enjoyed the scraps of turkey that fell from…
Faith Encouraged
Are You Really Awake?
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Socrates sees the wisdom in living a wakeful life when he says “ὁ δὲ ἀνεξέταστος βίος οὐ βιωτὸς ἀνθρώπῳ – The unexamining life is not worth living for a human being.” Notice the continual action implied in the original. This wisdom, planted in we humans by our loving Creator, is simply obvious but continually difficult. Our experiences, relationships, choices, priorities, and beliefs are shaped by and are shaping others all the time. That’s…
The Morning Offering
Hope
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Let others see in us hope for a better world Many years ago I taught in a small college, and can still remember, with great fondness, many of my students. Although I loved them all, I did have my favorites, especially those who challenged me with their inquisitive minds. These students kept me on my toes, and forced me to…
Word of the Day
On Guard Against Satan: Watchful Prayer (Fri. Oct. 9)
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The word of the day is “watchful. ” St. Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with insights on prayer in today’s reading of Ephesians 6:18-24. Just before our reading, Paul described the weapons that believers should use against the forces of wickedness (vs. 12). Then fully armed, the believers must stand guard, praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (vs. 18). They must be “watchful” as the Lord admonished Peter in the Garden on the night of His arrest (Matt. 26:41). The Greek word for “watchful” refers to being awake and alert, not merely to ward off sleep but to achieve a purpose (Strong’s #69, 4). Thus, we must stand in prayer like the…
A Light So Lovely
The Frog Princess: Talking Animals and Primordial Desires
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In case you haven’t heard, I have a new podcast with Ancient Faith Radio. I’m including part of the most recent episode for your reading pleasure here below. Enjoy! The Frog Princess: Talking Animals and Primordial Desires In my new podcast, I’ve talked much about Tolkien’s view of fairy tales. And so, you might not be so shocked to hear that I’m going to quote him again, even if in a slightly…
Praying in the Rain
The Two Sts. Pelagia of Antioch
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On October 8, we commemorate two Sts. Pelagia of Antioch. The first is a virgin martyr, and the second is a repentant harlot, sometimes referred to as St. Pelagia the former courtesan of Antioch. I first heard the story of St. Pelagia the virgin martyr from my bishop, shortly after he had arrived in California from Damascus. I had just been ordained a deacon and was helping to run a large youth…
Faith Encouraged
How To Do Family And Society!
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It’s no secret that family life is filled with challenges. To be honest, I don’t think we’ve seen the real fallout of all the societal experiments we Americans have engaged in since all these movements have been demanding this or that change in society. One of the interesting, if unintended consequences, of these movements is the growth of interest in young men and women in ancient religion. For instance, why are so…
Word of the Day
Whatever Your Work: Do It "As To" Christ (Thurs. Oct. 8)
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The word of the day is “slaves. ” From today’s reading of Ephesians 5:33-6:9, we learn that whatever work we do, we should do “as to the Lord.” In this passage, St. Paul address “bondservants,” that is, slaves (vs. 5) as well as their masters (vs. 9). The Orthodox Study Bible comments, “As with marriage, Paul does not seek to alter the existing social structure…” (OSB fn. on vs. 6:9). Thus, Paul’s letters presume slavery but does not approve of it. That is also true of many of the parables in the Gospels where English versions translate the Greek word for slave (doulos) as “servant” (Strong’s #1401, 72). Despite taking slavery for granted, Paul favors the status of freedom. He…
The Morning Offering
The ER for the Soul
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The Church is the Hospital of the Soul The ER for the Soul Orthodoxy offers a very precise way to enter into communion with God. It is a way that must be learned, for simply “becoming Orthodox” will not lead the seeker into an inner life that transforms and enlightens. Membership in the Church is not enough, for the Church…
Glory to God for All Things
Morality, Shame, and the Acquisition of Virtue
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“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” (Matthew 6:3) The experience of shame has many dynamics, permeating the larger part of human behavior. Though some psychologists have dubbed it the “master emotion” it is often unacknowledged and unrecognized. It should come as no surprise that much that is described as “morality” has little to do with the acquisition of…
Faith Encouraged
Husbands, Love Your Wives!
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To say that marriage is a hot topic today would be an understatement. But, you have to understand that the motivation for all this controversy about marriage today isn’t new. And it isn’t about equality or fairness or even compassion. It’s about attack. It’s about the real, yet unstated goal of some (after all, if they were honest about what they really wanted hardly anyone would support them) to actually make the…
The Morning Offering
The Church is THE Essential Institution
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Because Orthodox Christianity is a communal and sacramental faith, the Church is THE essential institution Christianity is a communal faith, one that requires it’s followers to be actively involved with others. The Church’s worship is communal, and salvation itself is a corporate act, one that necessitates interaction with others. One is not “saved” in a vacuum, but as part of the…
Word of the Day
Marriage in Focus: Harmony (Wed. October 7)
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The word of the day is “harmony.” In today’s reading of Ephesians 5:25-33, St. Paul discusses the duties of husband and wife in marriage. As a camera focuses on one object to make the picture clear, so we will put the focal point on one thought to shed light on the whole passage. St. Paul suggests our focus when he gives the reason for the wife’s role in marriage. He states, “And Paul would never without a reason and without an object have spent so much pains on this subject” (NFPF1 13 143. What is that purpose? It is concord as Chrysostom states, “because when they are in harmony, the children are well brought up, and the domestics are in…
The Whole Counsel Blog
Elisha and the She-Bears
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One passage commonly cited by opponents of Christianity as an example of horrible violence in the Hebrew Scriptures involves the prophet, Elisha. As this text is generally presented by critics or others seeking to enhance its problematic nature, it involves Elisha, while traveling, being made fun of by a group of small children. In particular, they mock Elisha for being bald. In response, Elisha curses them and Yahweh sends two she-bears out of the woods. These bears then kill 42 of the children who had mocked him. The idea that God massacres children for poking fun at someone is submitted as being gratuitous and sometimes even evil. The source of this story is a brief description of the event in…
Faith Encouraged
Not Many Fathers
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“Father is not a title!” By now my parishioners and catechumens are sick of hearing me say this. But I say it so much because there is a real healing truth in this reality. The Church isn’t some collection of “club members” or a “society for the preservation of baklava.” No, the Church is a Family. The Church is the New Society. The Church has fathers and mothers and sisters and brothers.…
The Morning Offering
Dismantling Christian Civilization
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The ultimate goal of ANTIFA and BLM is to dismantle Western Christian Civilization For all those individuals who have seen the mass demonstrations in the streets of Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and countless other cities across the country, and still believed we were, as the mayor of Seattle proclaimed, coming upon “a summer of love”, I would call your attention…
Word of the Day
Mutual Submission: The Way of Christ (Tues. Oct. 6)
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The word of the day is “submit.” In today’s reading of Ephesians 5:20-26, St. Paul begins to outline the duties of family members in the “Household Codes.” The Apostle writes, “… giving thanks always to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in fear of Christ” [1] (vs. 20 NAS). We should note that this verse is the transition to the “Table of Household Duties” section of Paul’s letter that follows. But it is more than that. It is the heading of the Code. If so, then, whatever their separate duties may be, St. Paul teaches that all household members should serve one another “out of reverence for Christ” (NIV). The Exaltation…
The Morning Offering
Public Notice:
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When I started writing articles for my daily blog, “The Morning Offering”, I did so with the intent of lending spiritual support to Orthodox men and women, with special care for our youth. This photo was sent to me by a young follower of my YouTube videos, who shared a photo of himself watching one of my talks, with a…
Word of the Day
The Mature Have a Compass: Thurs. Oct. 1
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The word of the day is “truth.” In today’s reading of Ephesians 4:14-19, St. Paul speaks about maturity in Christ. The Apostle recognizes that the Ephesians are being “built up” as the Body of Christ (vs. 12). By the spiritual gifts of ministry, they are advancing toward the “unity of faith and the [full and perfect l] knowledge of the Son of God” (vs. 13). Becoming Full Grown in Christ When they reach the standard of the “fullness of Christ,” they will become full-grown and complete (vs. 13; Strong’s 5046, 248). To attain this end, St. Paul advises that they should “no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (vs. 14). Rather they…
Glory to God for All Things
Grace Enough
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Some years ago I was in hospital for a time and not in the least bit happy about it. One sleepless night I was walking the halls of the unit, unable to sleep, and tempted with self-pity. I thought to myself (in rebuke), “Father Arseny endured the Soviet Gulag with more hope and patience than you’re bringing to this.” Father Arseny is the figure in the book by the same name that…
Faith Encouraged
Speak The Truth!
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The great Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky rightly declared “Nothing in this world is harder than speaking the truth, nothing easier than flattery.” And truth has always been the cry of despots, prophets, and politicians with varying degrees of honesty. The whole of the 20th century was dominated by the bastardization of Truth so that whole societies were corrupted by the lies of men seeking power and control rather than service for the…
The Morning Offering
Anger
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We must struggle against anger While getting into my car in a local parking lot I overheard someone taking God’s name in vain, angry that they’d dropped something. Looking up I realized I knew the person. They were a self-declared Christian and would have been horrified had they realized I’d overheard them. They were unaware that I was not the…
