Becoming a Peacemaker

How can I become a Peacemaker?  Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.What man is he that desireth life, that loveth to see good days?Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.Turn away from … [Continue reading]

Homily on St. John of the Ladder

Every Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to person or event, with the sequence of these commemorations designed to prepare us for a deeper participation in Christ’s passion and resurrection.  This Sunday is dedicated to the life and work of St. John … [Continue reading]

Fast Mimicking Diet (dry eating)

From https://www.quora.com/What-is-an-example-of-fasting-mimicking-diet Grocery List Quick oats Wheat bread Baby carrots Broccoli Bananas Blueberries Strawberries Avocado V-8 Juice (normal) Macadamia nuts … [Continue reading]

A Plea for Pastoral Gentleness

Thoughts on the calling of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew Matthew was a tax collector.  When Jesus gave him the invitation to “follow me”, he responded with hospitality.  He opened his house to the Lord, his disciples, fellow tax … [Continue reading]

Homily on the Cross (notes)

St. Mark 8:34-9:1 Context:  Christ has told his disciples about his coming passion.  Peter rejected it; and Christ widened the coming persecution to include Himself.  He had done this in his greatest homily saying “Blessed are you, when people … [Continue reading]

The Challenge of Post-Hoc Moral Decision Making

The Rational Decision-makerIn the post-enlightenment west, we have this idea that man is rational; that when he approaches a decision, he gathers the available data, calculates the costs and benefits of each alternative, and selects the one that he … [Continue reading]

Homily on St. Gregory Palamas (notes)

What God do you meet in those moments of transcendence? Humans are built with the ability to enjoy and bask in the glory of God (brief warmth of sun after a long winter) Was meant to be a permanent reality; but we chose another way But we still … [Continue reading]

Homily for the Sunday of Orthodoxy: Extreme Orthodoxy (notes)

A Note on Extremism Extremism is the only way to become perfect in God  Extremism?  Yeah it can be dangerous That’s why we’d better get it right What does Extreme Christianity look like? Orthodoxy!  But what does that mean? Danger of … [Continue reading]

The Triumph of True-Worship and Defeat of Iconoclasm (and why it matters)

The Triumph of True-Worship and Defeat of Iconoclasm (and why it matters)A Homily on the First Sunday of Lent: the Triumph of Orthodoxy  Note about length of services. This is traditionally a time of catechetical instruction, so sermons may be … [Continue reading]

What is a “Peacemaker”? A Reflection

Then Jesus Christ said; “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (St. Matthew 5:9) We sing this every Sunday as part of the Beatitudes (sung during the Little Entrance, when the clergy process to the Holy Doors … [Continue reading]