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 …
36 Degrees to Armageddon
Frank Schaefer is a noted Orthodox writer, speaker and blogger. He recently received a request from a friend in the Chicago area: “Please let me know if your contacts know of any truly loving Orthodox (Greek, Russian or other) churches or missions in Chicago or within an hour’s drive of Chicago.” Frank wrote on …
Possessions that Possess
I am forced again to talk about context, because the parable we heard today has been deprived of its context. Here is the context, in Luke 12: 13 One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me …
What don’t you understand?
One can say, I don’t understand all this high theology, I don’t understand what Liturgy is all about, I don’t understand how bread and wine can be the body and blood of Christ. One can say any of these things and be sincere. But what don’t you understand about “Go and do likewise”? It’s …
“Did you help?”
Dorothy Sayers began one of her public talks with the following words: What I am going to talk about is theology. ... I think it only fair to warn you about this, because I so often get letters from people saying that they "don't agree with theology.” They don't like it, as some people …
Abraham in the Center
Last week I speculated why our churches - including our own here in Portland - are slowly emptying. My answer last week was two-fold: Our Orthodox Church has forgotten its purpose to be a place of healing, and people simply don’t think they need healing - or to put it more radically, they don’t …
Ancient Answers 