Tucked away inside today's Gospel story is a picture of a dysfunctional society at war with itself. The landscape of the tombs where the two demoniacs spent their existence was barren enough. But I visualise the whole landscape of that town as desecrated and barren - barren of beauty and harmony. Humans and nature in conflict. Perhaps …
How heretical are we willing to become?
In the midst of the worst pandemic in over a hundred years, much of the Orthodox world is addicted to magical thinking. There is unyielding resistance to changing the mode of distributing Communion. After all, it is the Body and Blood of Christ, isn't it? Of course it is the Body and Blood of Christ. …
The Emptiness of God
A provocative title? What could I possibly mean by such a seemingly contradictory title? How could I associate emptiness with God? God, who is the fullness of everything? Jesus Christ, whose fullness becomes our fullness? (See Ephesians 3:19 & 4:13.) Ah, but that's the problem with language, with human language! We interpret God's fullness in …
Questions about this website
Is there still a need for me to call this website Ancient Answers? What can ancient thoughts possibly offer in answer to the problems of today? My 'ancient answers' have usually come from the Bible or ecclesial/patristic theology and spirituality. But at the same time that I've looked to ancient answers, I've also been drawn …
Paradoxes of the Cross
God prefers to reveal His ways through paradox. Because mystery is paradoxical. But people don't like paradox; people want clearcut answers, clearcut methodologies. And so people get confused. Why did God choose this way? Wouldn't it have been easier and less messy if God did it otherwise, maybe by just waving his hand and telling …
Ancient Hymns of Holy Thursday
The Last Supper, by Julia Stankova (Reproduced here with her permission.) http://www.juliastankova.com/home.html On Holy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus. Throughout Holy Week some of the most profound meditations are found in the various Kanons that are sung throughout the week, usually in the Matins services …
Spiritual Reflection – Stars, Kingfishers, Dragonflies and the Personal Touch…
(I have permission to reproduce the following blog post by my friend Michael in England. The original is found on his blog site; or on his Facebook page.) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.from Psalm 147 I am not a scientist but …
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Life in the time of Coronavirus
The psalms often speak against 'enemies' and often plead for God's protection against these enemies. Our biggest enemy today is the coronavirus pandemic which is threatening lives everywhere. So, replace 'They' in this verse with 'It' and it becomes a plea for protection against the 'enemy' coronavirus. (My Logos/Faithllife software provides me with many illustrated …
Re-inventing the language of prayer
Like Anne Frank, Etty Hillesum lived in Amsterdam during the German occupation. Like Anne Frank, she kept a diary. And like Anne Frank she died in a concentration. But unlike Anne Frank, she was not a teenager; she was 29 when she died in Auschwitz in 1943. Her diaries cover her spiritual journey during the …
The Face of our Humanity
Happy and Blessed Palm Sunday to you who read this. A glorious day, despite the fact that most of us spent it at home, only with our thoughts and memories of Palm Sundays past and perhaps a live streamed Liturgy. No communion in our mouths, but nevertheless the Lord is with us. Joy! Joy is …
