“Lord, teach us to pray!” the disciples asked of Jesus. Why? They were Jews, they were taught to pray three times a day. Why were they asking? Perhaps because they felt something new was happening. Jesus was not like the Pharisees or the priests. He was teaching a new way, so they wanted to pray …
Finally, our Archbishop speaks
Statement from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America Feb 4, 2017 As Greek Orthodox Christians and as Americans, we express our sadness and pain for our brothers and sisters all over the world who find themselves in tragic circumstances of hostility, violence and war, where families have been torn apart, displaced and where people are …
O Canada! O Quebec!
O Canada! Terre de nos aïeux... Canada is one of the most open and welcoming countries in the world. As an immigrant to Canada in 1963 I know that first-hand. The demons of division and hatred attacked Canada last weekend in the guise of a gunman's attack on a Quebec City mosque. Intolerance, religious and …
Boldness in Dialogue
Rachel Carson dedicated her groundbreaking book Silent Spring (published in 1962) this way: To Albert Schweitzer who said “Man has lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. He will end by destroying the earth.” Human beings have lost the capacity to foresee and to forestall. And this means that we become resigned, fatalistic, accepting the …
The Dialogue of Salvation
The Gospel story of Jesus' encounter with the tax collector Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) brings us face to face with Jesus' message of inclusion. But it also reminds us how important dialogue was in the ministry of Jesus. Dialogue is everywhere in all four Gospels. Matthew 15:21-28 is my favorite example. It reveals practically everything you need to know about …
When Healing = Salvation
The Gospel pericope of the Cleansing of the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:12-19) usually lends itself to a sermon about thanksgiving. But today I see something different. Notice that only to the Samaritan who returns does Jesus say “your faith has made you well.” What about the other nine? What made them well? What healed them?.....
The Language of Blessing
Water is a prime symbol in all religions. No surprise, since water covers over 70% of the earth’s surface. In Genesis, the earth is all water at the beginning. Then we have the Flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, the Jordan, etc. In the New Testament, water is again prime symbol. John baptizes …
The Church is Boring, You Say?
There is a false and pernicious idea that Liturgy is boring; that church is boring and irrelevant; and that is why people, especially young people, are staying away. Personally, I've never been convinced of that argument. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Perhaps people find church and Liturgy boring because they are bored, …
The movement beckons!
Meet John Doe is one of a groups of films that Frank Capra directed in the late 30s of the past century. The others are You Can't Take It With You, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. And a few years later Frank Capra also made that Christmas classic, It's A …
Six Commandments for the Church
Commandments spoken by Jesus that should define what the church should be: A new commandment I give you...that you love one another. Forgive. Go and do likewise - not just Do likewise, but Go and do likewise! Do this in remembrance of me. Do not be afraid. Give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s …
Ancient Answers 