Lesson on the Samaritan Woman: St. John 4 : 5 – 42 Beautiful story, full of insights into how Christ conducted Himself during His earthly ministry… It is also from the Gospel according to St. John: a short book that is full of beautiful spiritual … [Continue reading]
Sunday of the Paralytic (homily notes)
Acts 9:32-42 (healing of Aeneas and raising of Tabitha)St. Luke 24:1-12 (healing of the paralytic) Two sets of miracles today Christ’s healing of the paralytic at the Sheep’s Pool Peter’s healing of Aeneas and raising Tabitha from the dead at … [Continue reading]
Archives: Finding Peace and Objectivity in Times of War
I'm putting this back up front because it applies to divisive political seasons, as well. - Fr. Anthony Finding Peace and Objectivity in Times of War [Then Jesus said;] “You have heard people say; “love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I … [Continue reading]
St. Thomas Sunday Homily; A Meditation on Love (and doubt)

Gospel Reading: St. John 20:19-31 Love is Always Personal There is no such thing as love in the abstract; it is not a phenomenon that can be measured in a laboratory, isolated from everything else. It is always personal. You all know what … [Continue reading]
Some thoughts on miracles…
[written for the 2016 Great Lent Giveaway] On Miracles in the Holy Bible and Now Miracles in the Old Testament Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the … [Continue reading]
Pascha Cheese Recipe
Posted so I don't lose it. PASCHA CHEESE For the quark: 1 gallon whole milk + 1 quart buttermilk. I put the milk in the pot and heat to steaming for about 5 minutes, then add buttermilk and mix well. Let it rest, covered, for 2-3 days, stirring a … [Continue reading]
On Parish Leadership (homily notes)
On Christian Leadership Challenge of consumerism. Giving my life to Christ – and even coming to Church on Sunday – is one of a million good options. Americans are shoppers, we do the math and make the call. But it’s not a purchase, it’s a … [Continue reading]
Wisdom from St. John of the Ladder (on prayer)
From The Ladder of Divine Ascent, St. John of the Ladder. Step 28: On holy and blessed prayer, mother of virtues, and on the attitude of mind and body in prayer. What is Prayer? The Union of Man with God 1. Prayer by reason of its nature is the … [Continue reading]
A Homily for the Sunday of Orthodoxy

[Delivered at the Lehigh Valley Pan-Orthodox celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy] Since 843 the dominant theme of the first Sunday of Great Lent has been that of the victory of the icons. In that year the iconoclastic controversy was finally … [Continue reading]
On Starting at a New Parish (AFR Podcast and Notes)

The Podcast is here. Review: Ten (Eleven!) Commandments for Pastors New to a Congregation In a previous post and podcast, I reviewed Rev. Lawrence W. Farris’ book Ten Commandments for Pastors Leaving a Congregation. It was full of good … [Continue reading]