The feast of Epiphany in the western churches celebrates the visit of the Magi to the new-born Jesus. Hence, it is celebrated as the revelation of Jesus to the nations. In the Orthodox Church it’s celebrated as the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Theophany = the revelation of God. The revelation of God as Trinity. Baptism …
A Truly Unique Messiah
An amazing video of Handel's Messiah from Canada. It's abbreviated, only 50% of the entire score, but what amazing interpretations in many languages in this Canadian production. Canada is proud of its diversity and what better way to celebrate diversity than with this unique performance of this echt example of Baroque sacred music. I'm proud …
Giving Thanks in a Pandemic
On this Thanksgiving Day, I’m reminded of a remarkable man who was my teacher at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary: Father Alexander Schmemann. Father Schmemann of blessed memory celebrated his last Thanksgiving on November 24th, 1983. Less than three weeks later he passed on to eternity. On that Thanksgiving Day he celebrated the Liturgy at the …
A Psalm for the time of Covid
Psalm 42 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and behold the face of God?My tears have been my food day and night,while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I …
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 …
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 …
God’s ‘hidden love’
Lord, stir up within me at this timethe sense of wonder at your Cross;fill me with a fervour of faith at this moment,so that my thoughts may be inflamedwith the fire of your love;and may my eyes become for yourivulets of waterto wash all my limbs;may your hidden lovebe infused into my thoughts,so that my …
Life is Eucharist
Human life is the expectation of that which is at the end, and at the end is the joy of the bridal chamber, the joy of the Resurrection. At the end are Mary and John and all the saints; at the end is the wonderful fullness of life. When I see this end, I want …
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