A few years ago someone came up with a startling statistic that I initially doubted then came to regretfully and grudgingly think might be true: That 9 out of 10 Americans with Greek ancestry are no longer connected to the Orthodox Faith. I didn't believe it because so many...
“All is gift.” This phrase captures both the simple and profound message that embodies the mystery of living a Eucharistic life. You may ask “What does that mean?” And I understand. We moderns are far removed from a world where mystery and wonder and story dominated our human society....
Most of the time I feel pressed for time. A confession – I am addicted to saying “yes” to offers, invitations, and projects! I do this so often that my wife has to remind me that, as of now, I do not have the gift of bi-location! Because of this addiction, I frequently find myself stressed over...
The whole notion of a high priest is so foreign to we egalitarian Americans and moderns. We are centuries removed from a time when hierarchy and royalty were the norm. But it’s helpful to remember that, for the vast majority of Christians who have ever lived, the notion of...
Red Reddington on The Blacklist said "Fear is a liar. It activates the enemy." Now don't be too mad at me for quoting a fictional TV character! Besides, the quote perfectly reveals the dangers of living your life gripped by fear! We humans are susceptible to the power of fear...
Just because something is popular, doesn't make it good or right. William Penn said "Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefits." In my previous religious circles, we were always working to build a big crowd so that we could assure ourselves we were doing the right thing....
I love learning big words. Ever since I watched “Mary Poppins” so many years ago and “learned a word to spite me aching nose” I have been fascinated with vocabulary. So, when I heard the word “epistemology” I was over the moon to learn all I could! Epistemology is “the...
There’s one sure way for any politician to get an applause line in a stump speech. All he or she has to do is say “I support our troops!” And rightly so. The brave men and women who serve in our military perform a vital function in the preservation...
St. John Chrysostom called the faithful “reason-endowed sheep.” Not having a lot of experience with sheep being raised in the rural American South (Now ask me about pigs, cows, and chickens and we got something there), I had to look up what is it about sheep that made this statement make so...
One of the most powerful prayers and hymns I've ever sung says "...For behold, through the cross joy has come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, we praise his Resurrection: for by enduring the cross, he has destroyed death by death.” Imagine that something as horrible as the...
