On September 14th the Orthodox Church celebrates the Elevation (or Exaltation) of the Holy Cross. In Byzantium this was more than a holy day. In some respects it was the national holiday of the Byzantine Empire! Consider the primary hymn of the day: O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Grant vict'ries to …
A Sermon not on John 3:16
What remains to be said about John 3:16 that hasn’t been said a million times by millions of priests and preachers? These days, watch any football game on TV and you’ll probably see someone hold up a banner that says John 3:16. That’s what this great Bible verse has become: a slogan, a banner …
Why I love the Bible
Today's Gospel reading is the last in a series of Gospel readings from Matthew that dazzle me with their judgmentalism and violence. Three weeks ago we heard the parable of the unforgiving servant and how the master in the parable threw him and his wife and children into prison for the rest of their lives …
How is our vineyard doing?
The Parable of the Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) provides another example of a problematic Gospel passage that begs for context. Unfortunately, the way the Orthodox Church reads this parable on the 13th Sunday of Matthew only increases the difficulty of reading this parable with an open mind. But before we consider the difficulties of this …
What about the Ten Commandments?
The incident of Jesus and the rich young man (or 'ruler' in one version) poses some questions worth discussing. The man in question asks Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life. Jesus goes on to quote five of the "Ten Commandments" that Moses received on Mount Sinai. Here are the commandments as they are …
Did Jesus Really Say…?
Last Sunday's Gospel reading in the Orthodox Church presented some serious conundrums - serious at least to me, but perhaps not to anyone else. Here is the Gospel passage as it was read at Liturgy: The Lord said this parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with …
Into the Midst of Theology
Transfiguration is often connected to idea of theosis in Orthodox theology. But it’s a static conception of “theosis": Peter wants to stay on the mountain and be wrapped in the outpouring of divine glory. But Jesus says, no, pack up and let’s go back down where real divine glory is to be found. Abide in …
Be brave; it’s not fake news
"How many of us would rather be outraged than informed?" That is the question that was asked by the NPR announcer.....
Small is Beautiful
“In the beginning you created me from nothing and honoured me with your divine image…” sings one of the hymns in the Memorial Service. So also in Liturgy at the Great Prayer of the Anaphora: “You brought us into being out of nothing…” But the Anaphora of St. Basil has this: “For having made …
Salt and Light
The Lord said to his disciples, "You are the light of the world… began our Gospel reading today. But why not begin one verse earlier and hear the whole passage? “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltness be restored? It is no longer …
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