Learn the Language of God or Risk Being a Foreigner in Heaven

Thursday of the Ninth Week after Pentecost

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (1 Corinthians 14.6-19)

We often read this passage from Saint Paul and think of “the language issue” in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America or the tradition of speaking “in tongues” in Pentecostalism. But have you ever considered this from the perspective of the “language of God?” God doesn’t speak in languages of the world, despite what ethnic loyalists believe or those who subscribe the “Three Holy Languages” of Greek, Hebrew and Latin, unless of course you’re Russian and you believe in “Four Holy Languages.” etc etc etc.

The Language of God is LOVE and if we cannot learn and speak the language of LOVE we, “will be speaking into the air and we shall be foreigners to God who speaks and He will be a foreigner to us.” (cit 1 Corinthians 14.9,11) We need only to remember Saint Paul’s famous passage in 1 Corinthians 13, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal….” Saint John the Theologian and Evangelist said, “If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4.20)

When we finish our journey on Earth and are face to face with God and He is speaking to us, will we understand Him or will we be foreigners in Heaven? The choice is ours to make.

Embrace Christ and Be Transfigured! Live a new life in Christ.

The Danger of Pride and “Going It Alone”

Tuesday of the Ninth Week after Pentecost (1 Corinthians 12.12-26)

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

These words of Saint Paul cause me to dwell upon those who decide they have no need for the Church, or as many say it, “I believe in God but not organized religion!” For many who profess this belief the root cause rests in some disagreement over theology of moral behavior or theological teaching that the Church “holds over its membership” or at least that is how it is often characterized. But I wonder what Saint Paul, arguably one of, if not the, greatest missionaries of Christian history, would have said as a response to this claim.


In my personal ministry experience, I often encounter this mentality when people differ over biblical interpretation with the Orthodox Church on many of the ancient Holy Traditions of the Church such as anointing with Holy Oil called the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Unction. The practice of Holy Unction has its roots in the ancient Church, specifically mentioned in James 5.13-15, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” The reference to elders is in reference to Presbyters, or Priests, and is a clear liturgical reference from Saint James and not a suggestion to call simply upon the “old people” of the community. Living in the “Bible Belt” I often hear comments such as laying on of hands by elders and other believers, also based upon this citation in Saint James, but to claim this as the ancient practice is just not being honest with Church history.


But I’m not debating the accuracy of anointing today. Maybe that will be for another day. I’m thinking of the logic behind the mentality that if I disagree with what the Church teaches then I have the right to maintain my own teaching with as much validity as the Church’s teaching. And this clearly isn’t in keeping with Saint Paul.

14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 1 Corinthians 12.14-16

We only have to consider the actions of Saint Paul directly to understand how he would view this mentality. When Saint Paul was at odds with the teachings of the Church he and those with him were sent to Jerusalem to plead their case to the Apostles and Elders (Presbyters/Priests) there. Acts 15 describes this historical gathering of the early Church, which has served and continues to serve as the model of Church Councils to this very day. Saint Paul was bound by the decision of the Church and from then on taught accordingly. If he, Paul the great missionary, had to abide by the teachings of the Church why wouldn’t we have to do the same in 2010?

So when we find ourselves at odds with the teachings and Holy Traditions of the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church – The Orthodox Christian Church – we can either follow the model of the ancient Church and Saint Paul or we can “go it alone”…. It’s clear what Saint Paul would have done.

The Reason for Living

“For of what use is existence to the creature if it cannot know its Maker? How could men be reasonable beings if they had no knowledge of the Word and Reason of the Father, through Whom they had received their being? They would be no better than the beasts, had they no knowledge save of earthly things; and why should God have made them at all, if He had not intended them to know Him?” Saint Athanasios the Great

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man." 1 Corinthians 10.13

Reading for Wednesday of the Eighth Week after Pentecost
1 Corinthians 10.12-22

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. 18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

What great inspiration and hope from St Paul! Every day we are tempted and so often we not only forget that God is watching out for us, we try to tackle the temptation on our own. This is impossible! Our ability is only manifested in our communion with God, a reality brought vividly by St. Paul in his reference to the Eucharist in verse 16. God has to power to hold us up and bring us to glory no matter what our temptation and struggle is BUT we must unite with Him in the Eucharist. Otherwise we are just simple men trying to get along. “With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19.26)


Embrace Jesus Christ and begin a new life today!

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" 1 Corinthians 10.12

1 Corinthians 10.5-12 (reading for today, Tuesday of the Eighth Week after Pentecost)

5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Here Saint Paul is speaking to us about the past behavior of Israel as a teaching and warning to us in the Church. As we read this in 2010 we can further read it as confirmation that not all who profess Christ live a Christian life which was of utmost importance for Saint Paul and the ancient Church. We make choices every day whether or not to heed the warnings in Scripture, but it is never too late to begin anew…



Embrace Christ in your life and find an Orthodox Christian Church in which to pray and be united to Christ. Find a local Orthodox Christian Church in which you can begin a new life dedicated to Jesus Christ and communion with Him. If you haven’t been to church in “a while” make the effort to attend the next available service. It may be a morning Orthros or Matins (morning service) or Sunday Divine Liturgy. The longer you wait the longer it will take to begin to heal from the pain and suffering that the worldly life, such as sexual immorality etc, inflicts upon each of us.



Life in Christ is freedom from death and sin.



For an Orthodox Christian Church near you click on the link to the right…

Stages in the Development of Passions

I don’t normally do this, but this chapter was so good I wanted to share it in its entirety….




Stages in the Development of Passions

Letter 57 in The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It, by Saint Theophan the Recluse



That the passionate shows itself within us in not an inescapable misfortune. It signifies that we are impure, but it does not make us guilty. Our guilt begins from the point when we favorably incline ourselves toward a passion that has been observed; that is, we do not rush to acknowledge the enemy and do not arm ourselves against it with anger. On the contrary, we accept it and begin liking it, delighting in the impulse in which it appeared. This already shows that we have no objection to being familiar with the passionate, and, subsequently, enemies of God. “Because the carnal mind – [the passionate] – is enmity against God.” (Romans 8.7)



Where assent begins, there also begins guilt, which increases by measure of its involvement in the passionate. I will describe for you how all of this happens. Our usual state is this: The thoughts wander about every which way; the emotions and desires, although they go back and forth, are without definite direction. This is how it is most of the time. Sometimes entire days pass like this. These thoughts are for the most part vain, being attached to routine everyday affairs and tasks at hand. Among these empty thoughts or daydreams about nothing often erupt. Both empty and vain thoughts throng, for the most part, on the surface of the soul. You have been told more than once how to subdue and regulate this disarray of thoughts that impeded remembrance of God and Godly things.



But look here, some object with a certain peculiar form has come among the others and demands attention. Note this point specifically: It has come and demands attention. Never let it pass without attention. Conduct an interrogation at once: Who is this, where is it from and what does it want? You yourself will find the answers to these immediately, after a mere glance at this object that has presented itself. Let us suppose that it is a person who has offended you at some time. It is obvious that by engaging your attention with this person and the association you have with him, someone desires to create within you indignation, anger and even the desire for revenge. This is what will happen if you do not adopt the necessary measures. What measures should you adopt so as to drive away this idea? It wants to bring you to a bad state. Consequently, it is your enemy. You will treat it, then, in a hostile manner, that is, not with respect, but in the way which we spoke about last time, namely, with scornful rejection.



If you do this, you will completely thwart the enemy’s ruse or trap. If, however, you focus your attention on the person who has come to your imagination, then this idea, though ordinary and isolated at first, will become surrounded by a number of other thoughts and images that will paint a very vivid picture in your imagination as to how that person offended you, with all the details of the incident. Along with this, the previous feeling of offense, indignation and anger will arise in the heart. The passionate object or thought about it engendered the passionate feeling. The passionate became more entrenched. If you come to your senses and acknowledge that it is bad to allow yourself to be roused by passion, then, of course, you will see the enemy in this and treat it with hostility, after having expelled the wicked feeling from your heart and driven the very object that engendered it from your thoughts. The confusion will pass and peace of mind will be restored.



If you do not do this, however, then other passionate feelings will gather around the one that has already arisen and exacerbate it. These feelings will begin rationalizing to you, “How dare he do that? Who does he think he is, someone important? I am no worse than he is. It is impossible to ignore this. I do not know how I let it slip by me. If I were to allow everyone to treat me like that, I could not live. I will certainly have to prove to him that he cannot act like that and get away with it.” Your desire for revenge, whether that vengeance is great or small, it is all the same, is at the ready. The passionate become even more deeply entrenched within. This is already the third stage. If you come to senses at this point, you can drive off the desire. For the desire does not yet signify resolution. It arrived one moment, and it can leave the next. If you take proper action, it will be for the better; if you do not, then your torment will continue further.



Observe how the thought engendered the feeling, and the thought with the feeling engendered the desire. The mind is filled with passion. All this, however, is still mental impurity and sinfulness. It is still a long way to the act. Between the desire and the act there is always the resolution to act, and premeditation as to how to carry it out. How the resolution takes shape is not always apparent. It is already within the desire in a weak form; it then grows along with premeditation of the act, that is, with the selection of the means and establishment of methods and circumstances. When everything has been premeditated, the resolution is complete. Then the act has already been accomplished within. The sin has already been committed in front of God and the conscience; the commandments have been disregarded, the conscience violated. Sometimes a lot of time passes between the desire and the resolution with the premeditation of the act. The fear of God takes hold, the commandments are remembered and the conscience is not silent. But all of their saving suggestions are rebuffed by disregard. That is why there is already transgression and sin in the resolution. The thought, feeling and desire, although they have already occupied the entire soul, seemingly take place on the surface of the soul. There is still no strong inclination toward sin, only an urge. Strong inclination begins from the point when the soul begins deliberating whether it should satisfy the passion and how it do so. Here the soul has already set out on the path of sin.



While the resolution is forming, freedom is checked, the soul feels as if it were absolutely obligated to do what it intended. But there is no such obligation. It is a sort of inner self-delusion that is taking place. What has been decided may remain unfulfilled because of some obstacle that is suddenly encountered. Perhaps it is abandoned because the person himself has second thoughts about carrying it out, because of some consideration or because of the conscience and fear of God, if they should happen to rise up in full force.



At last, everything has been arranged and the deed done. You got your revenge as planned. The passion has been satisfied, the sin finally committed. What more could be added to the resolution that developed at first? Seemingly nothing, for here the premeditated plan has only been carried out. That is how it seems; but, in the essence of the act, the wrongdoing increases up to the last step. First. Up to this point, the fear of God and the conscience were merely dismissed and disregarded, now they are violated. Up to now, the situation has been like a mother who is trying to persuade her son not to do something wrong, and he brushes her aside or runs away from her. Now the son answers his mother’s pleas by hitting her or slapping her in the face. Second. Now inner activity has been introduced into the course of outward events and is bound to be accompanied by the consequences, which are also outward and worldly. You will not cross it out of the circle of events by a stroke of the pen or verbal denial. It will remain there forever and will always be attached to the person who did it, forcing him to taste its fruits. Third. The Divine grace deserts him, and the person leaves the realm of God and enters the realm of the enemy of God. He drops down, is burdened and feels himself crushed under a kind of weight. The parable about the unclean spirit returning with seven more is fulfilled in him. [Matthew 12.43-45] Gloom, uneasiness, burden – this is the reward of any satisfied passion. Amazing! Until the passion is satisfied by the act, the person expects Paradise from its satisfaction: For you shall be God. [Genesis 3.5] As soon as the passion is satisfied, however, the delusion falls from his eyes, the phantom dissipates, and there is left only emptiness, anguish, upset and burden; the person sees that he is impertinent. He took revenge on his enemy; he expected to be rejoicing, but things have turned out quite differently.



You see what the path is of tormenting yourself with some passion and falling into sin on account of it. Now we shall turn to you. What is possible in you from all that has been said? If your resolution to work for the Lord is sincere; if, having made this decision, you follow the advice given to remember God at all times with fear and reverence; if you watch after yourself strictly; then any inclination within you toward the satisfaction of passionate desire, and all that follows it, will be impossible. However, thoughts, feelings and desires are possible. These are objects of your inner struggle.



Passionate thought, feeling and desire sometimes pass through the soul in a single instant before we know what has happened. In this case they do not make us guilty, if as soon as we recover our senses at the appearance of what is by now desire, we banish them through hostile anger toward them. Our guilt in the intention, feeling and desire is dependent on our procrastination; that is, after observing them we have failed to drive them away, and we dwell on them instead. Drive away the thought, and there will be no feeling or sympathy. Drive away the feeling and with intention, and there will be no desire. Drive away the desire, and there will be no danger or inclination toward the passionate. If, after observing a passionate intention, you dwell on it with attention voluntarily, you are guilty. Why did you occupy yourself with something that you know is God’s enemy and yours? If, however, your attention is involuntarily attracted to the intention, you are not guilty, as long as you immediately turn your attention away from it and drive it out. If, as a result of your willful attention toward a passionate intention, a passionate feeling is engendered, then your guilt is increased a little. But if after detecting the birth of a passionate feeling, you continue to be occupied with the passionate intention, and, consequently, voluntarily provoke the feeling, then your guilt increase to twice what it was previously. If, after detecting a passionate feeling, you rouse yourself and drive it out along with the intention, then you would be guilty only in the fact that you voluntarily occupied yourself with a passionate thought; you are not guilty of the feeling, because such feelings are created through the action of the thoughts. If through the actions of the passionate thought and feeling that have been voluntarily allowed, there is born within you the desire for a passionate action (for example, revenge), then your guilt is increased a little, because desire is created involuntarily from thought and feeling. Your previous guilt remains; why were you occupied with the passionate object, and when a passionate feeling was born from this, why did you allow the feeling to persist and the thought that gave rise to it? Therefore, your guilt is twofold. But if after detecting the passionate desire, you allow it to linger inside you, and do not immediately arm yourself against it, then your guilt increases by one more step; it will be threefold.



I will not go further, because I suppose this is sufficient to warn you.



You see for yourself that if you immediately drive away the passionate thought, then you put and end to the entire struggle. There will be neither feeling, and even more, there will be no desire. Make the decision to act in this way. Why would you draw on yourself the unnecessary labor of struggle, and sometimes even danger, when you have already decided not to allow the passionate being ungodly? If the feeling begins to stir involuntarily along with the thought, immediately chase out the feeling with the thought. If desire involuntarily clings to them, immediately chase out the desire along with them. The moment you discover a passionate impulse within yourself, chase it out. Make this your rule: Do not voluntarily praise either passionate thought, feeling or desire, and immediately chase them away with complete hatred as soon as you detect them. You will always be innocent before God and before your own conscience. There will be within you the impurity of the passions, but also innocence. You will carry out the act of purification (cleansing), laboring diligently at the purifying of your soul.



May the Lord bless you!



The preceding was taken in its entirety from “The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It” by Saint Theophan the Recule, as translated by Alexandra Dockham. St. Herman of Alaska Press. 1995.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:20

Truly the Lord has been with the Greek Orthodox Church these past few days as the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has been gathered for the 40th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and Philoptochos (Friends of the Poor) Conference. We have concluded this great event with a fantastic banquet with not only delicious food but God-inspired presentations throughout the week on the life of the Church and the mission to carry the Gospel of Our Lord to all nations.



The theme for this year’s Congress was, “Gather My people to My home, Come and See” based upon John 1.46 and numerous presentations and seminars were offered to inspire our faithful to spread the Good News of Christ’s saving mission to humanity.



It has been a truly inspiring four days gathered as the Body of Christ for worship, fellowship, education and inspiration as our Church looks to the future of our Church. For those who are regular visitors to this blog you know how strongly I feel about sharing Orthodox Christianity as the ancient Christian Faith with everyone but not just for the sake of knowledge. As the Lord says, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.” (John 15:22) It would truly be a sin to hear the Good News of Christ and not respond.



“Come and see” my dear brothers and sisters. Come and see that the Lord is Good. Come and visit an Orthodox Christian Church near you! Follow the link to the right and search for an Orthodox Church near you and GO AND SEE for yourself!



God bless you!

“It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 13.11

Jesus was known for telling parables during His earthly ministry. It was He preferred method many believe because we understand truths given as stories much better than as a list of facts. We grow up attending school reading and solving “word problems” for this same reason. Jesus said to His Disciples, and therefore to us, “Blessed are your eyes for they see and your ears for they hear.” (Matthew 13.16)


We have been blessed to receive the truth of God from His own lips in the person of Jesus. This truth has been maintained and protected by the Church since the days of the Apostles as they were commanded by Jesus after His resurrection. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28.18-20)



This Great Commission, as it is called, commands the Church not only to make disciples of Jesus Christ but gives the Church the responsibility to protect the truth and hand it down to succeeding generations within the Church. We believe this process is being protected by the Holy Spirit as Christ said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16.13)

Who’s Got Your Back? Jesus, That’s Who!

CSI, NCIS, Law and Order…the list goes on. Wherever you turn there is a “cops and robbers” TV show playing. In fact, ½ of the current favorite television programs are based upon this concept and each week partners struggle to fight crime or solve murders. What makes the shows so successful is the partner interaction from show to show and crime to crime where partners “go all out” to watch their partner’s back.


Did you ever wonder, “Who’s got my back?” In the Gospel we hear, “There met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way.” (Matthew 8.28) These two men were overcome by such wild demons that they lived among the graves in the wilderness. Even their families could not protect them. I bet they ask themselves, “Who’s got our backs?” every day!



The answer is simple. God does! The demons said to God, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” (Matthew 8.31) God gave them permission and the two men were healed from their struggle and worshiped God. Even though their families were unable to protect these men, God was always watching out for them and never let the demons hurt them beyond their ability. We know this because the men had enough self-control to approach Jesus in the first place.



Just when we think life is out of our control or we have been abandoned, let’s think of this story in the Gospel and remember, “God has our back” and that’s all that really matters.

There are some things I just don't get...

There are some things I just don’t get and I don’t mean I don’t understand the science. I actually do. I don’t get the logic. Science is a gift from God and is (or at least is used to be) based upon our ability to observe certain things. For example, as long as we observed that the Sun revolved around the Earth science believed it to be so. Now that we can observe that the Earth revolves around the Sun we know it to be true. The need to absolutely prove facts with empirical evidence is the very foundation of science……until it comes to creation.


Creation is the one area of science that seems to absolutely ignore observation. I was recently watching the Science Channel and a program about creation. The program was discussing Inflation Theory (for more information on Inflation Theory see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation_(cosmology) ) which attempts through complete fabrication to explain why the universe defies our own observation and logic. In a nutshell scientists can’t figure out why, based upon how we observe the universe NOW, the average temperature throughout the universe is nearly constant. Based upon the current rate of expansion of the universe (that’s the part we can observe) temperature couldn’t possibly be the same if the universe has been expanding ever since the so-called big bang. One of the preeminent authors on this theory, Alan Guth, in The Inflationary Universe, A Quest for a New Theory of Cosmic Origins, wrote, “In the late 1970’s Linde independently invented much of the inflationary universe theory.” (emphasis mine).

Admittedly there are many things about how our world works that we don’t understand nor can we observe them. However, if science is to maintain any sense of integrity, it should remain loyal to empirical evidence. At least the theory of evolution is based on what is observed to be mutations in the fossil record though I reject that also on the basis of having no empirical evidence when it comes to cross-species evolution. There just isn’t any evidence of half-ape/half-man…..there just isn’t. Nor is there any evidence that a fish with a single bad fin could find itself surviving walking on shore.



So I just don’t get it…..God acting in creation is just as observable to science as inflation. Why can’t we just accept that God did it…..it answers many more questions than it raises.

Holiness is a Process We Call Theosis

Saint Paul said,

“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.” (Romans 6.18-19)

For me this is a reminder that just as we got deeper and deeper in sin over time, it will take time for us to become deeper and deeper (or more properly higher and higher) in holiness. Since we did not become totally depraved overnight we should not expect to become totally sinless and holy overnight. This process of becoming holy, what we call Theosis, is a gift of God for repentance but takes genuine effort on our part.



Our effort is what is blessed by God in our decision to obey His desire for us. We must choose to walk in the Light of Christ and be led out of darkness by His Light.

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1.5-9)

“We have fellowship with one another,” is another way of expressing our intercommunion with each other and Christ within the Church. When we maintain our life within the Church of Christ, we walk in His light. When we depart from the Church we risk walking on our own and becoming lost in the darkness. The Church has been established by God to guide us on our journey toward holiness. The Church offers us tools established by Christ Himself with which the work of Theosis is accomplished.



Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the three tools that shape our human life modeling our desires and actions after Christ. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are used to re-train our bodies out of darkness and into the Light of Christ. But these tools are without meaning on our journey to holiness without the Eucharist – Holy Communion. Without Communion prayer is just words, fasting is just a diet and almsgiving is just a tax deduction.



Engage the journey to holiness and embrace Christ!

Is Christian Humility Un-American?

It has become popular in recent years to speak of the selfishness of Americans. Throughout the world Americans are considered wasteful and greedy when compared to other nations based upon our consumption of natural resources but the ridicule isn’t limited to other nations. Indeed in recent months, United States government officials across our great nation have become very vocal against huge corporations such as BP for caring more about profits and less about the “little people” that make America such a great country. On the surface it might seem even honorable to speak out against such examples of greed and extreme wealth.

However a closer look at both the politicians and others protesting across the country reveals a much different picture. What was once a nation of hard-working honest citizens, has become a nation of lazy “I want it my way” protestors. Even “American Religion” can be characterized as selfish. We want church services to last as long (or more importantly, as short) as WE want them. We want them to look like WE think they should. We even want the church to teach what WE declare to be true. And if anything is said or done that I disagree with the church is wrong and must be corrected!

Christian humility is quite different however. “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof.” (Matthew 8.8) These are the words of a military leader and very powerful member of society. “I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” (Matthew 8.9) In today’s society it would be unheard of for such a powerful man to admit he wasn’t worthy of anything…..let alone a visit from God.

And God honors his humility, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Matthew 8.10) True Christian humility understands that, despite our extreme wealth and power (or lack of it) Christ still honors us with life and His blessings. When we show this level of humility to God and those around us, He will say to us, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” (Matthew 8.13)

It might be un-American, but it’s true!

Fear is not Worth the Worry

At a time when our country was suffering great difficulties a newly elected President said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” When President Franklin D. Roosevelt said these words he wasn’t trying to boost faith in God, admittedly. In the Gospel our Lord says, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (Matthew 6.32-33)

We gain nothing by worrying. Anxiety cannot heal us. It cannot put food on our table. It cannot put gas in our car. It cannot pay our bills for us. On the other hand doctors have shown us that anxiety DOES put stress on our hearts and can cause high blood pressure and a number of other physical illnesses. Jesus said, “Which of you by your worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matthew 6.27) God has promised to take care of our needs when we choose to obey Him and follow Him.

Our role in our relationship with God is not to sit back and let God pour blessing over us, but to follow Him to His kingdom and to love Him. President Roosevelt led our country into action to work and rebuild a struggling society in 1933 which despite his efforts continues to struggle today. God has sent His Son to lead us into action and rebuild our struggling faith and promises that when we follow Him all our needs will be met and we will inherit eternal life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6.33)

Fear not…have faith instead!

God is Calling Us – Are We Even Listening?

He doesn’t know it, but Bill Cosby helped me understand two things: what it’s like to have children and the concept of obedience. And I doubt very seriously if he realized then, or now nearly thirty years later, that both concepts are theological truths. One bit he used to do was called “The Come Here” bit which included yelling, “come here… come here… come here… here here here here here here here here…etc” to his children before they would obey him and come. I have a friend though who has learned how to combat this reality in children. Since his daughter was just a toddler he would call her to come to him. She would come and clean up a mess she had made but sometimes it was just because he needed someone to share ice cream with. The daughter learned that by hearing her father’s call and obeying his call she might get ice cream just as easily as she might have to clean the kitchen. That is one family that has proven Bill Cosby wrong…at least some of the time when their daughter hears and obeys.

At certain times in our lives we all have the opportunity and blessing to obey someone’s call. It may be our parents when we are children or it may be our commanding officer in the military. But one thing is clear; we cannot obey that which we do not hear. That is what made Bill Cosby so funny, not the pain of disobedience so much as the humor of getting his children to hear him in the first place.

In this morning’s Gospel we hear Jesus Christ calling His first Disciples. “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” (Matthew 4.19) Peter and Andrew were hard at work fishing when Jesus called to them from the shore. Think of the image for a moment: they were on the water “casting a net into the sea.” (Matthew 4.18) I doubt they were expecting someone to call from the shore and but I’m sure they expected what happened next: “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4.20)


Peter and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist so they were prepared for the Messiah. They were well versed in the Scriptures (Old Testament) to recognize the Lord when He appeared and called to them. They were prepared to drop everything and obey God, and immediately God made good on His promise. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria.” (Matthew 4.23-24)

John the Baptist was a preacher of repentance and high moral living. His disciples were called to a life dedicated to austere spiritual preparation to receive the Messiah. John the Baptist preached “Repent! Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.” (Matthew 3.3 quoting Isaiah 40.3) When Peter and Andrew heard the voice of the Messiah coming from the shore they dropped everything and followed Him. We can be sure that they didn’t expect ice cream but a life of spiritual discipline and obedience to God.


And their obedience to God was rewarded just like my friend’s daughter is rewarded when she obeys her father. “I will make you fishers of men.” If they obeyed the Lord then they would gather people as plentiful as they used to gather fish in their nets. The Gospel tells us, “Great multitudes followed Him – from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” (Matthew 4.25) In fact, as we just celebrated two weeks ago on Pentecost, it was Peter who spoke to the multitudes. “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2.40-41)

My brothers and sisters, the same call goes out to us to be saved from this perverse generation and follow the Lord. Any cursory reading of the daily newspaper reveals a society that has lost its way. Our society has turned away from humility and embraced self-serving pride; turned away from chastity and embraced sexual immorality; turned away from modesty and embraced opulence. It makes one wonder if Jesus were to return today if the newspapers would even run the story for fear the story wouldn’t sell enough newspapers.


Jesus is calling us today to follow Him. Whether we are restaurateurs or lawyers or bankers or teachers or priests, no matter what profession we are, the Lord is calling us today to follow Him and He is expecting us to obey Him. And when we do He will reward us with eternal life. Remember what we heard in the Gospel last week: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19.29)


After the Lord called Peter and Andrew, He called James and John, the sons of Zebedee, “and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.” (Matthew 4.22) James and John left not only their fishing business like Peter and Andrew; they left their father behind. They were willing to be totally vulnerable, without any business to “fall back on” just to be near the Lord and follow Him. Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10.37) James and John loved the Lord more than their fishing business and their father and they were blessed by God for their obedience to follow Him.

Jesus is calling us today my dear brothers and sisters and He will bless us when we obey Him and follow Him. He will bless us like He blessed the Saints we remembered last week for the Feast of All Saints. He will bless us like He blessed Peter and Andrew, James and John. He will bless us when we obey Him so let’s get going.


The time has come for us to drop our fishing nets and follow Jesus Christ to the kingdom and we will become fishers of men and women who will “gladly receive His word” and embrace the Church and a life dedicated to God above all else. Let’s face it; God has already blessed us in our Community. In our Community we have successful business owners, teachers, nurses, bankers, landlords, developers, the list goes on…and that’s just the material blessings. He has blessed us with many healthy, dedicated and loving families who support each other through hard times and sing and dance with each other during joyous times. But He wants more for us. He wants us to welcome Him into our lives gladly and full of love. He wants us to truly live in communion with Him.

He desires for us to know Him intimately through Holy Communion but during the summer there will be many distractions and temptations that will try to draw us away from God. We MUST be willing to follow God and put God FIRST in our lives during the fun-filled summer months. Maybe the words of Saint John Chrysostom will inspire us this morning. He says, “Because such is the obedience which Christ seeks of us, as that we delay not even a moment of time though something absolutely most needful should vehemently press on us.” (Homily XIV on Matthew)


Peter, Andrew, James and John all had VERY IMPORTANT things to do when Jesus called them but they chose to hear and obey His call and immediately followed Him and they were blessed by God. Today the Lord has called us. Will we hear and obey Him or will we make Him call and call and call. Something tells me it won’t be as funny as Bill Cosby’s comedy act and this isn’t for ice cream….it’s for real.

Obedience Begins with Hearing

In the Orthodox Church we often refer to “hearing the Gospel” rather than just reading it, especially in the context of Liturgy. One basic reason is that we must first hear the word of God before we can obey the Word of God. Saint Paul says, “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10.14,17) Even the word “obey” (υπακοή in Greek) is derived from “listen” (ακούω in Greek) leading us to this see the connection between listening and obeying.

In the Gospel of Matthew we hear Christ calling His first Apostles: “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4.19-20) Peter and Andrew were not only brothers; they were also followers of Saint John the Baptist who had taught them the Lord was coming. The Baptist pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” (John 1.29-30)

The first Apostles heard about Jesus from John the Baptist and were fully prepared to obey Jesus Christ when He called to them. We now have heard the same call from Christ to follow Him. Are we ready to obey?

There are two ways, one of life and one of death

These are the first words of a document titled, “The Didache of the Holy Apostles” which outlines some of the very earliest teachings given to the Church by the Holy Apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Apostles continue: “but a great difference between the two ways.” The Didache (or teaching) is a document held with great honor in the Church because it gives us a glimpse into the ancient Church structure and way of life. There are sixteen chapters in all covering topics from how to avoid sin to how to celebrate the Eucharist.

The month of June every year is a month dedicated to the Holy Apostles. Beginning with the Monday after All Saints (this year May 31) and lasting until the Feast of the Holy Apostles on June 30 the Church asks us to fast in honor of the Holy Apostles and work they accomplished in establishing the Church of Christ after being guided “into all truth” (John 16.13) by the Holy Spirit who descended upon the Church at Pentecost.

During every Divine Liturgy we confess, “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church” as we recite the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. To be the Apostolic Church means that the Orthodox Church has maintained the Holy Traditions of the Apostles as handed down from Bishop to Bishop through Apostolic Succession and the physical Laying on of Hands at ordination. Saint Paul said, “Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11.2) and again he said, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2.15)

Jesus Christ ordained His Disciples with authority to establish the Church when He ascended to His Throne. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)

Jesus commanded the Holy Apostles to teach us. The Holy Spirit guided them into all truth. They have passed on “the way of life” to us through the Church. We follow Saint Paul’s commanded to keep those traditions. This is what it means to be One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church….to follow on the way of life.

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5.28)

These words from our Lord are very difficult to hear especially in our 2010 context in which lust and physical pleasure are not to be seen as sinful by “society”. By today’s standards men and women are encouraged to freely experience their sexual passions with each other. Lust is a word not used by those who seek to normalize abnormal sexual tendencies and urges. And those who would suggest that physical sexual pleasure is to be subdued are considered old fashioned and out of touch with reality. Schools teach “safe sex” rather than “no sex” because ultimately “they are going to do it anyway.” But we cannot escape the commandment of our Lord that lust for another is no better than actually engaging in the behavior. This of course also plays a strong role in the dangers of pornography as people sit in the privacy of their own homes in front of their computers lusting after those displayed on their monitors.

But sexuality is not the only issue at hand in today’s Gospel reading. (Matthew 5.27-32) It is our responsibility to control our passions rather than give in to them. We live in a fallen world and are therefore tempted daily by the evil one to depart from our path toward God and theosis. Our Lord said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9.23 Matthew 16.24, Mark 8.35,) Our struggle to follow the Lord is a daily struggle and the Church offers us spiritual tools (disciplines) that help us to take control and maintain control of our physical passions.

When we embrace the spiritual discipline of fasting we are engaged in much more than a holy diet. When we fast, we place our spiritual journey ahead of our physical desires. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9.24) Another fasting season is almost upon us and we are yet again encouraged to step our spiritual struggle to defeat our passions. Beginning Monday, May 31, 2010, and ending with the Feast of the Holy Apostles on June 30, 2010, the Church teaches us to fast in honor of the Holy Apostles that received the Faith from Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and handed it down to the Church undefiled. The Holy Apostles taught us to “Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts” (The Didache of the Apostles). When we fast, we indeed abstain from these, while honoring the holy work accomplished by the Holy Apostles.

“Unite in Prayer or Unite in Eucharist?”

While I was driving to the Church this morning after dropping my son at school, I noticed a church sign which read, “Unite in Prayer May 23,” which prompted this blog. As human beings we often speak of unity in various forms such as political unity or family unity. We, as Americans, don’t often speak of unity in terms of prayer…or at least not honestly anyway.

Unity, defined by MS Office dictionary as “the state or condition of being one,” is an expression of ontological reality – unity is a matter of being rather than action or thought. For this very reason we cannot possibly unite in prayer unless we are first united in Jesus Christ. It is the unity of the Church that the Lord Himself desires when He prays:

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17.20-23)

We are united to Jesus Christ, and therefore His Father, in the Eucharist. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him.” (John 6.56) This real physical unity with Christ is what drives all theology of the Orthodox Church. If unity with Jesus Christ is what unites us to God, then who Jesus Christ IS matters. It is not simply enough to proclaim Jesus Christ; we must be in unity with Him. Jesus Christ didn’t become human to atone for our sins; He became a human being to unite Himself to humanity and restore our fallen human nature to its original glory – communion with God.

Can we unite in prayer to Jesus Christ? It might be better to suggest “Synchronization in Prayer,” since this is what I believe the church I passed on the street meant to say. However that still does not address who the Jesus IS that we are praying to. Muslims believe in a Jesus. Mormons believe in a Jesus. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a Jesus. Most notably even the devil believes in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. But would we be willing to term any of these groups as Christians? Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7.21)

The reality is there can only be one truth in regard to who Jesus Christ is and whether through the (albeit false) doctrine of sola scriptura or objective Church history, it is clear Jesus declared that unity was only possible in the Eucharist. The Holy Spirit descended upon the Holy Apostles at Pentecost as Comforter and guided the Church “into all truth.” (John 16.13) That original Church still exists today. It is the Orthodox Church who has maintained the teachings and traditions of the Holy Apostles unbroken for two thousand years.

Do you want to unite? Unite first to Jesus Christ and His Church.

We are Surrounded by so Great a Cloud of Witnesses - Hebrews 12.1

We began reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans today as we look back at Pentecost and look ahead to the Sunday of All Saints. Liturgically we see to completion of the Church established with the descent of the Holy Spirit and NOW our work can begin. Remember that Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem when He said, “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24.49) Now that the Church had received the Holy Spirit the work of going to “all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things”(Matthew 28.19-20) can begin. We are IN THIS PHASE of the Church’s mission. We are called to go out and proclaim this saving message, The Gospel of Christ.




Saint Paul reminds us today that we are all “called to be saints.” (Romans 1.7) We are each called to a life of dedication and commitment to Jesus Christ our Savior. Too often we think to ourselves or even say, “I’m not a saint. How can I be expected to behave that way? Nobody is perfect!” While nobody is perfect, we are expected to live a certain lifestyle as Christians even though we will make mistakes and fall. Saint John the Theologian says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1.8-9)



Being a saint is not being perfect. Rather it is being dedicated to God above all other things. When we deny God and embrace worldly praises or rewards or benefits above those of God, then we become sinners worthy of death. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 1.15-17)



Heed the urging of Saint Paul and commit your life to Christ! Confess your sins to the Church and “know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5.20) Find an Orthodox Christian Church near you and embark upon the journey to salvation in the ancient Christian Church, in the Holy Orthodox Church.



“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfection of our faith.” (Hebrews 12.1-2)

Do You Want to Live Forever? Then Get to Know Jesus

The world is an ever-shrinking place. It almost never fails that when I am visiting another city I am asked, “Do you know ‘so-and-so’?” This actually happened to me once in Melbourne, Australia. I was staying with a family that had heard of Denver, Colorado and asked if I knew someone they had met from Denver. I politely informed them that there were over 3 million people who lived in Denver and that we had never met. At the other end of the spectrum I often meet Greek Orthodox Christians who ask me if I know of a certain priest of another parish or if I have ever met their cousin etc. Believe it or not, more often than not I do know the person they are speaking of. There are also roughly 3 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America so either I know a whole lot of people, or the “Greek Orthodox World” isn’t as big as it would seem. It is no coincidence that Greek Orthodox Christians know other Greek Orthodox Christians from other cities because we share a very important common friend, Father, and God. As Orthodox Christians we live in communion with God and each other in a real, yet mystical, way. When someone asks, “Do you know Jesus?” we actually do and the universe is a huge place.



If someone were to ask us if we knew President Barak Obama or Vice President Biden most of us would say “no” because we even though we know “OF” them we have never met them. On the other hand, if I were to ask you this morning if you knew Governor Mark Sanford there is at least one of you here this morning likely to say “yes” because you have met him. And if I were to ask if you knew Senator Hugh Leatherman, most of us would say “yes” because he is a good friend to our Community. To know someone is to spend time with them and “get to know them;” something many of us have done with Senator Leatherman.



But, what if I asked, “Do you know Jesus?” Would we be able to say, with the same certainty that we did about Senator Leatherman, “yes” or would we say that we know “of” Jesus. There is a big difference between knowing “OF” someone and actually knowing them and that is what this morning’s Gospel is about. Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17.3) Jesus didn’t desire us to know about God but to genuinely know Him but sadly many Christians spend their entire life only having knowledge “OF” God.



Statements such as “Knowledge is power,” are nothing new. In fact Aristotle said it “first,” and the desire for knowledge was the essence of the Renaissance which launched a new era in science. Unfortunately the emphasis on intellectual knowledge rather than the mystery of God has also led science to abandon the Creator in favor of a myth simply because scientists could not “measure God.” Empirical evidence drives science rather than faith in God which ultimately has created a void because science no longer knows God let alone, about God.



We have been given a great blessing by the Creator of the universe. God has allowed us simple created human beings, sinful as we are, to know Him, not just to know about Him. When we read the Holy Scriptures, either the Old Testament or the New Testament, we find one thing very important. The Holy Scriptures are a written testament to God’s interaction WITH the Church. The Bible is a story of God’s work in and through and with humanity. The Holy Scriptures are stories of holy men and women, and some not-so-holy, who knew God. Adam and Eve walked with Him in the Garden (Genesis 3.8); Abraham hosted the Trinity for a meal (Genesis 18); Moses spoke with Him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20); the Holy Apostles live with Him; and the Church communes with Him to this very day.



Jesus said, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” (John 6.56) You can’t get any closer to knowing someone than this and the Church has proclaimed this truth for two thousand years. Saint Paul said, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11.26) So today, the Sunday between the Feast of Ascension and the Feast of Pentecost, the Church celebrates the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. The ten days between Ascension and Pentecost represents the period of time where the Church no longer saw Jesus Christ because He had ascended to His Throne nor had the Church received the Holy Spirit which would guide the Church “into all truth.” (John 16.13) But the Church did know God. Jesus said, “Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” (John 17.7-8)



Today, and every day, we celebrate knowing that God is in our midst and desires to commune with us and live with us and IN us. This is what it means to have eternal life. That we know Jesus Christ is present in the chalice and that He has lowered Himself so we can know Him. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity, became a human being so we could know Him and have eternal life. We already have eternal life. It isn’t just something that we have to wait for. When Jesus Christ ascended to His Throne He brought our human nature with Him so that we could “be partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1.4)



We partake of God’s divinity each time we partake of Holy Communion. We no longer know “OF” God; we know Him personally and intimately. We have joy because for two thousand years the Church has maintained true knowledge of God. In a few moments we will sing, “We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.” (from the Divine Liturgy) We are thankful for the Holy Fathers who professed the Faith of the Apostles and defended the truth so our knowledge might remain strong today in 2010.



If we visit Washington, D.C. as tourists we are kept at a distance from President Obama. But if we visit Washington, D.C. as friends or even family of the President, we are invited into the White House. My brothers and sisters, we should not remain as tourists in God’s House but live as friends and the true “Children of God” (John 1.12) that we became at our Baptism and Chrismation. God has invited us in to His House to know Him but we can only do this by being in communion with Him.



In just a little while I will exit the Holy Altar with the Body and Blood of Christ and call, “With the fear of God, with faith and love, draw near.” This is God’s invitation to come to Him and have eternal life. As Orthodox Christians we should not turn our backs on God and pretend that knowing about God is good enough. That would be no better than knowing how to eat but never eating. One leads to death. The other leads to life. Don’t you want to live forever?

To Know God is to Have Eternal Life

Shortly before His passion, Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17.3) These words were spoken during what is referred to as the “High Priestly Prayer” which is similar to what the Jewish high priest would pray immediately before offering the sacrifice. In His prayer, Jesus prays for the safety and future unity of the Apostles and the future Church. He also states certain truths in His prayer to the Father for our benefit. He says, “These things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17.13) Throughout the prayer Jesus continues to teach that He and the Father are in total harmony and unity. Jesus says, “For I have given them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” (John 17.8)

In these words Jesus is not speaking simply of learned knowledge that is intellectual but of knowledge that comes from personal experience. When we experience Jesus Christ in a personal way such as receiving Holy Communion, then we can know Him. When we know Jesus Christ, then we have eternal life. Holy Communion and knowing God in Jesus Christ cannot be separated. It can be compared to knowing “of” someone but not actually knowing that person. Only when we meet face to face can we truly say we know anyone and that includes God.

He came 2000 years ago so that the world could know Him and through Him know the Father. Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14.9) This connection between seeing God and being in Communion with God is highlighted in the hymn we sing at every Divine Liturgy after receiving Holy Communion: “We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith, worshipping the undivided Trinity, for the Trinity has saved us.”

My brothers and Sisters, have you seen the Light?

Consecrating an Altar to God is a glorious and rare event indeed!

Faith Sometimes Just Isn’t Enough

“He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.’” (John 9.6-7) With these words Jesus healed the man who had been born blind, but it wasn’t until he actually obeyed Christ’s command and

“went and washed,” that he “came back seeing.” (John 9.7)



Our faith in Christ, if it is going to accomplish healing in our life, must be accompanied by action. Whenever we see Christ healing, the willing response and action of the one being healed always is necessary. Pick up your pallet and walk; go wash in the pool; stand up; these are all commandments of God to follow faith with action. God has the power to heal any suffering we have, but He depends upon our response to actually live a new life healed.



It would have been simple for the blind man to remain where he was covered with spit and clay, but his eyes would have remained closed not because he was blind but because he never washed. A little action on his part went a long way for him to see. A little action can go a long way in our life too. If we are suffering and God has healed us, we may not know it until we have enough Faith to get up and do something about it.



Put your faith into action! It may be the only thing left between suffering and healing.

"In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality." (Acts 10.34)

During the Paschal Season (the fifty days between Easter and Pentecost) the Orthodox Christian Church reads daily from the Book of Acts. In Acts we get a glimpse of life in the ancient Church and witness how the Holy Apostles guided the first Christians into a relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. We see two things, among a host of others, from the very beginning of the Christian Church: daily Worship and Fellowship. (Acts 2.46) This is one reason we have worship services in the church almost every day and why I so much look forward to a cup of coffee with others.


We also see in Acts that thousands were entering the Church based upon the witness of the daily life of the Apostles and first Christians. (Acts 2.47)But it became painfully clear that some already in the Church had no desire to allow new members especially Gentiles to enter the Church. To address this, Saint Peter, a leader among the Apostles, said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10.34) But it wasn’t until Saint Paul’s missionary efforts that the Church truly spread to every nation of the Gentiles.

Our contemporary society is just the opposite. Our governmental system, our charitable system, even our social system, shows partiality. Every day we make decisions based upon whether the result is in our best interest or how we can best advance. We even socialize only with those members of society who will help us get ahead. Online communities such as Facebook and Myspace are saturated with people making “connections” or “networking” for a better position or social status. The most dangerous showing of partiality is in connection with our nation’s foreign policy. As a nation, we befriend and unfriend other nations at the whim of the current resident in the White House just for political gain. And what is the cost of rampant partiality?

Rampant crime, poverty, bigotry, sexism, and many other vices all feed on our selfish pride as human beings. When we cannot look past a weakness in our fellow human beings just because it will hold us back or keep our progress back, our partiality will cripple us. It should be no surprise that our economic system is collapsing around us because unfettered selfishness cannot continue indefinitely. The solution, contrary to what the United States Congress wants us to believe, is not more governmental involvement, but a relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. When the government inserts itself and takes from one to give to another, it too shows partiality, playing the role of a god, altering the players but not the game. And the pendulum continues to swing back and forth.

Everyone is equal in the eyes of God who shows no partiality. What a refreshing breeze it would be if we lived the same way. Let’s begin with fellowship. Next time you see me enjoying a cup of coffee, join me…I’m not partial. Only then can we begin to know each other.

Go Tell It on the Mountain…

Most of you probably began to sing the famous Christmas song that begins with these words. This song is famous during Christmas, not only because of its lyrics but for its message during a season filled with joy and praise. Christmas was months ago……why bring up a Christmas song?

In the Gospel of Saint John (John 4.5-42) we read the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, known in the Orthodox Church as Saint Photini. Her joy after encountering Jesus Christ could not be contained. She dropped everything and ran to town and proclaimed, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4.29) Because of her joy and public witness of Christ, many from her town believed in Him.

But not all believed solely based upon the public confession of Saint Photini so the people went to encounter Jesus Christ themselves. “So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word.” (John 4.40)

By our witness people will believe in Jesus Christ and by our witness others will come to the Church to encounter Jesus Christ themselves and believe in Him. Either way….if we don’t share our witness with others they may never know that Christ is Risen from the dead so that we may live forever with Him. So Go…..tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. It doesn’t matter where we tell it, just tell it!

Christ is Risen!

Clothes Make the Man...if he allows them to

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1.9)


The events of the Ascension of Christ, described in Acts and celebrated this year on May 13th, bring to completion the unification of human nature with the Divine Godhead of the Holy Trinity. In His incarnation Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, took on human flesh and united it to Himself. In His Ascension our human nature is forever united to Divinity. Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos writes, “So the value of the Ascension is in the fact that the human flesh which was deified by its union with the divine nature of the Word, is seated on the kingly throne, at the right hand of God the Father.”


In today’s society we are fond of blaming many sinful and hurtful behaviors on human nature. “It’s human nature…” begins many defense arguments. But as Christians we are united to Jesus Christ in our Baptism and therefore we have a NEW nature. We are a new creation clothed with Christ Himself. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galations 3.27) This quotation from Saints Paul’s Epistle is sung at every baptism in the Orthodox Church and it reflects the reality that we have died to the world and are born anew in Christ. In the sense of our Baptism, clothing really does make the man.


Indeed the clothing we wear every day effects our behavior doesn’t it? We dress for the occasion. I’ve never seen a farmer plow his fields wearing a tuxedo nor have I seen a judge rule in a case wearing a swimsuit. So how can we continue to live a life of sin clothed with God? After our baptism we were clothed in white to signify the purity of our new nature, but as we live in the world we soil the inner garments of our soul every time we sin.


When Christ ascended to His Throne, He took our new nature with Him and forever united us to divinity. The next time we think about our behavior, either in public or in private, we should think about what it will do to our new white clothes. If we want to keep ourselves clean and pure, and we think about our new white clothes we are wearing, maybe we can avoid the sinful behaviors that will leave behind the residue of sin.


Christ ascended the Throne of God and now we “may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1.4) We have been clothed in Christ; let our clothing make us who we really should be.

“When the Jews saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4.13)

The affect of living in Communion with Jesus Christ is both a wonder to the world and strength to the faithful. In today’s reading from Acts we see the boldness with which the ancient Church proclaimed the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the power of God. We also see the ineffectiveness of the world to silence the Gospel of Christ. What are we doing in 2010 to live this reality of being in communion with God? As the Holy Apostles declared, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you [the world] rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4.19-20) The Church has witnessed the power of God and now we must declare it the world.

Christ is Risen! Go and proclaim it to the entire world!

Peace Be With You

Peace is a desire for all humanity. Governments desire it and their armies keep it. But what sort of peace is Christ speaking of when He says in this morning’s Gospel, “Peace be with you.”? The peace that armies keep isn’t peace at all. Military peace, if anything, is a sustained cease fire. Consider the border between Israel and Egypt? The two nations are “at peace” with each other, but each has tanks and armies facing the other to “keep the peace” by any means necessary. Surely this isn’t the peace the Christ offers to us, is it?



The peace that comes from Christ is an inner quiet and stillness that is only made possible by having a relationship with God since it is a gift from God. The Gospel of John tells us, “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20.19) It is as if Jesus is telling His disciples (and us) “Don’t worry about the world that is fighting against you, because I have defeated death. You have nothing to worry about even if they threaten you, you will live forever.”



During every Divine Liturgy the Priest turns toward the faithful, blessing the faithful, and says, “Peace be with you.” This is a constant reminder that God grants us His peace so that we can receive that stillness we need in our hearts so we can endure the struggle and suffering in the world. There is only “catch”… if the peace of God is going to dwell in our hearts, we must be willing to receive it. Not the peace of the world do we accept but the peace of God. As Saint Seraphim of Sarov said, “Acquire inner peace and thousands around you will find salvation.”

How Can We Keep the "Fire" of Pascha from Going Out?

Holy Week and Pascha services in the Orthodox Church are rich with Holy Tradition and symbolism. They are long and yet inspiring….and they are many. All in all there were sixteen services between Palm Sunday and Holy and Great Pascha. And on top of all that…..the Church asked us to fast strictly (or at least as strictly as possible) with less sleep and more prayers. In spite of all this, come 3 o’clock Sunday morning we were on a spiritual high holding our lit candles and singing Christ is Risen. How can we maintain this spiritual high in our lives without burning out?




That is not as strange a question as it may sound. Many Orthodox Christians after Holy and Great Pascha “crash” for at least a couple of days attempting to recover from the exhaustion of Holy Week. Most don’t even realize that Church services continue for an entire week, called “Bright Week”, when the Matins of the Resurrection and Divine Liturgy are to be celebrated. Even for those who are aware of the services, most Churches, if they do offer services, are lucky to welcome the Chanter a few retired citizens.



So I would like to offer a few simple suggestions to help keep the “fire” of Pascha burning brightly weeks after the celebration in the Church is complete:



1. Start every day in prayer singing the “Christ is Risen!”

2. Light your Pascha candle while saying your prayers

3. Read scripture daily (you can locate the readings of the day on many websites such as www.goarch.org) In fact Orthodox Christians read the entire New Testament (not including Revelation) each year beginning with Pascha.

4. Smile when you greet others on the “street” and wish them “Christ is Risen.” You’ll be surprised the responses you get.



Most importantly remember that it was the sense of prayer and holiness that made Holy Week so special so if you desire to keep the “spiritual high” you should keep up with the readings and services of the Church. What was special during Holy Week will still be special.



Christ is Risen!

Hail to the Chief….The REAL Chief!

Hosanna to God in the highest! These were the cries from the crowd over 2000 years ago when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. These were the cries from the crowd that witnessed the miracle of life when Jesus resuscitated Lazarus who was in the grave for four days. At the same time Jesus was both the giver of life in Lazarus and the humble servant riding a lowly donkey. The world rejected this possibility solely because a “proper king” should ride a white horse into the city gates. A “proper king” should accept praises of other world leaders and pay homage to emperors. According to the world a “proper king” would never condescend to wash the slime from his follower’s feet! This is the image of king that our Lord offers us. Although God could have entered humanity as the All-Mighty, He chose to enter His own creation as a humble servant. Although He could have made a public scandal of Judas pretending to care for the poor, He chose to have compassion upon him.

Today our King, God Himself, in the form of a humble servant who has compassion on us in our weakest moments, enters to claim the throne of our hearts. Will our answer be the same as the cries of 2000 years ago? Will we call out to God, “All Hail! Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on Me a Sinner! Enter the gates of my heart and be my King.”? In a world that enshrines such sins as greed, abortion, and same-sex marriage into the Law of the Land will we reject Jesus as our King and embrace world? Or will we reject the world and embrace Jesus Christ?

“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself and enemy of God.” (James 4.4) 2000 years ago the world power rejected God and they do more and more today. This is our chance to stand up the world and “draw near to God and He will draw near to us.” (James 4.8)

Pascha – The Feast of Feasts, An Orthodox Christian Understanding

Next month we celebrate the Feast of Feasts, Pascha, but what is this Feast really all about? Many theologians throughout the centuries have written thousands of pages about Pascha making it a daunting task. Nonetheless it is important that as Orthodox Christians, living in a predominantly Protestant Christian environment, have a proper understanding of the Feast we call Pascha.

In short, Pascha is the celebration of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God. In this feast it is imperative that we understand that God, in the Second Person of the Trinity known as the Son of God, became a human being. Saint Paul writes, “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2.17) In being a human Christ fully identifies Himself with our humanity in order, through His Death and Resurrection, to restore our humanity, fallen in sin, to Communion with God.

In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are united to Him in our human nature but not in our sins. As Fr. George Florosvky writes:

The Lord died on the Cross. This was a true death. Yet not wholly like ours, simply because this was the death of the Lord, the death of the Incarnate Word, death within the indivisible Hypostasis of the Word made man. And again, it was a voluntary death, since in the undefiled human nature, free from original sin, which was assumed by the Word in the Incarnation, there was no inherent necessity of death. And the free "taking up" by the Lord of the sin of the world did not constitute for Him any ultimate necessity to die. Death was accepted only by the desire of the redeeming Love. His death was not the "wages of sin." The descent of Christ into Hell is the manifestation of Life amid the hopelessness of death, it is victory over death. And by no means is it the "taking upon" Himself by Christ of the "hellish torments of God-forsakeness". This idea was brought forward with great emphasis by Calvin and shared by some other Reformed theologians, but at once was resented and vigorously repudiated by a great number of both Reformed and Catholic divines, as a "new, unheard-of heresy". (On the Tree of the Cross, Florovsky 1953)

Fr A. James Bernstein, in his book “Surprised by Christ” writes of the Jewish sacrifice (the context of Christ’s death on the Cross) in terms of purification of humanity. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15.3) to heal us, to change us, to make us more godlike, not instead of us. The ultimate purpose of His death was to change us, not to avert the wrath of God.”

Understanding Pascha in this Orthodox Christian way, the ancient way, is to recognize the Love of God reflected in His death on the Cross rather than His anger which demands that blood must be shed in order to forgive sins. To limit the death, burial and resurrection of Christ to “required bloodshed” is to limit God’s love and mercy.

We Will Be Comforted

Christ said to His disciples, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized you will be baptized.” (Mark 10.39) These are not words of comfort for any Christian. In two weeks we will gather in the Church each night and witness the Passion of Christ as presented in Holy Scripture. When Christ says we will suffer like He did, however, it was not meant to make us afraid. Instead He was reminding us that in our baptism we are united to Him. He, being God, has lowered Himself and associated Himself with us, His simple creation.



It is in this unity with Christ that the words of the Gospel are comforting because He also said, “and the third day He will rise again.” (Mark 10.34) In reminding us of how we are united in Christ in suffering He is reminding us that we are united to Him in His Resurrection because He came “to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10.45)



My Brothers and Sisters, Christ came so that we might be united to Him in Heaven. Let us embrace our unity with God because He has conquered death for ever. Even though we may suffer we take comfort in knowing that all suffering eventually ends and is replaced by comfort in Heaven with God if we identify ourselves with Him.



Take the opportunity this year during Holy Week and come identify yourself with Jesus Christ! The future rewards are much greater than the current struggle.

Pick Up Your Cross, It’s Moving Day

The other day I spoke with a gentleman who had just helped a friend move. He shared with me how long of a day it was as they filled a 17-fout truck TWICE as full as they could get it. Just hearing him give me the details of moving brought flash-backs of the times I moved or helped someone else move. I could almost feel my back tighten up as we were talking. I’m sure we’ve all moved at one time or another so whether it is the burden of packing or the muscle of moving boxes that were too full, when someone mentions moving we can all relate…and if you’ve never moved or packed a box or carried a friend’s boxes to a truck, you’re really missing out. The best part of helping a friend move is the fellowship. It’s pretty much the same thing every time especially if everyone has helped before. Everyone knows his or her own limits as to how much they can pick up so we all look out for each other. Every move needs a supervisor, who is normally the one who is moving, who not only knows where everything is going but also watches to make sure the right people pick up the right box. The supervisor’s responsibility is to guide each member of the moving team to the right box so they don’t pick up something that is too heavy for them or place a box where it doesn’t belong. It’s almost like he is calling out, “If you want to help me move, pick up your boxes and follow me…to the truck.” By the end of the day, the truck is full, the house is empty, our muscles are sore and everyone sits back to admire the full truck as a symbol of accomplishment. It can be quite an enjoyable, yet difficult day picking up boxes on moving day.


Today is moving day…not to another house but to another way of life. This morning’s Gospel is a simple invitation by God for us to follow Him in a new way of life. Just as a move from one house to another involves some heavy lifting our move today will involve some lifting. Jesus calls out to us, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) And just as every move has a supervisor who helps us pick up the correct box, Jesus has appointed His Church to help us pick up the right cross – OUR cross.



Each one of us has a certain ability and strength that has been given to us by God. He knows our strengths and He knows our limits. He knows better than we do how much we can lift. So when He invites us to pick up our cross, He means OUR cross and not anyone else’s. Some of you know I have a bad back. I have to be very careful exactly what and how I pick up boxes when I help people move. If I reach for the wrong box or turn the wrong way, it only takes a second; I can hurt my back and be bent over for a week.



Christ has invited us to pick up our cross if we desire to follow Him. That is the message I wish to bring to you this morning. He doesn’t say, “Everyone pick up any ole cross,” but “Whoever desires to follow Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” The emphasis is on free will and personal burden and following Christ.



It is quite clear in the original Greek, “Οστις Θέλει οπίσω μου ακολουθείν, απαρνησάσθω εαυτόν και αράτω τον σταυρόν αυτού, και ακολουθείτω μοι.” “Όποιος θέλει να με ακολουθεί, ας απαρνηθεί τον εαυτό του, ας σηκώσει το σταυρό του κι ας με ακολουθεί.” There are three key words: desire, pick up, and follow.



Just like if we were trying to help someone move. We wouldn’t be doing them any favors if all we did was stand there and look at all the boxes stacked around us and refuse to help. Our friend would wonder why we even showed up in the first place. It also would do our friend any good if we volunteer to help move and then, with a weak back, head straight for the heaviest box and spend the rest of the day with ice packs watching everyone else do all the work.



When it comes to our spiritual moving day, we must first and foremost desire to follow Christ. Christ doesn’t want us against our will. If we do not desire to follow Him the cross which we will bear will be too heavy for us. It will be like ignoring a bad back and trying to lift a heavy box to show how strong we are. Who are we helping? To whom are we showing our strength? Frankly, who are we fooling? What will it profit a man if he lifts a heavy box if he then hurts his back? Of course Christ said it another way. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8.36)



If we first desire to follow Christ then He will watch over us to make sure the cross we pick up is our own. We are not asked to pick up anyone else’s cross but the one that best fits us. For our moving day, every box is labeled so we know which box is for us. If we spend time trying to pick up someone else’s cross, which of course we know means struggle, we may get hurt or we may think we are doing something we are not. In other words, Jesus has made sure that our cross, our struggle, fits each one of us and until we focus upon our own struggle, we will never accomplish what the Lord has for us to accomplish.



So first we must desire to follow Christ. Second we must be willing to pick up our own cross. Third, then, we must follow Christ. Again, just like moving day, if we just stand their holding a box and not carrying it to the truck, we accomplish nothing. There must be movement in our legs on moving day and there must be movement, or direction, in our spiritual life. We must always be walking toward Jesus Christ. As soon as we stop or turn another direction (or we turn away from God) then He cannot guide us to the Kingdom. We must never forget the first name for Christianity was “The Way” because it was a way of life, a journey with Christ in His Kingdom. There was always movement.



My brothers and sisters, if we desire to follow Christ, let us pick up our Cross and follow Him. Today is the third Sunday of Great Lent and we will pick up the cross and lift it high and carry it around the Church for everyone to see. God has conquered death because of His Holy Cross. Now it is our turn to pick up our cross and follow Him to a new way of life, to an Orthodox Christian way of life.



Being Orthodox Christian is about living ever day for Christ. We are in the midst of Great Lent. What an excellent chance for us to deny ourselves and follow Christ. Jesus Christ could just as easily say today, “Whoever desires to follow Me, let him pray, fast and do works of charity and follow Me. For what will it profit a man if he eats a steak, cusses out a store clerk, and walks right by a woman lying who is bleeding in a grocery store doorway, if He spends the rest of eternity suffering?”



The rewards for following Jesus Christ are well worth not eating meat. Jesus said and He says to us today, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” (Mark 9.1) My brothers and sisters the Kingdom is already here. Let’s move in together!

The Cross: A Sign of Victory Rather than Defeat

High above our Church stands a golden cross for all passersby to see. The cross, a long-time symbol of our Christian Faith is held high in honor of the victory that Christ accomplishes in our lives every day. “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 8.34) With these words Jesus Christ challenges each of us to a higher standard of living than what the world has to offer. We have been given the freedom to choose life or death. He does not say just, “Take up your cross,” but “Whoever desires to come after Me…” He has created us with free will – the free will to choose to follow Him, or the to choose not to follow Him.

When Jesus took up His cross He defeated death once and for all so that we may live forever with Him. The cross becomes for us, as believers in Christ, a symbol of life rather than death. Christ’s victory was found in His resurrection AND death on the cross. Without the cross, Christ would not have died and if He had not died He would not have conquered death for all time. If we choose to use our free will to follow Christ, then we must follow Him into His death so that we too may live with Him.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s sake with save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8.35-36) Each time we choose to deny the world in exchange for Christ we gain our soul. What seems like death and suffering in this life is life and power in the kingdom of heaven. The best way for us to deny the world is through prayer, fasting and works of charity which is our Great Lenten Journey. Let us embrace Great Lent and deny ourselves and follow Christ!

Let us say for ourselves, Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy, Lord Have Mercy

In today’s meditation in The Lenten Spring by Father Thomas Hopko, we are reminded of the true meaning of mercy.

It is the word “mercy” that leads to a wrong understanding of the Kyrie Eleison. We tend today to think of mercy almost exclusively in terms of justice. The opposite of being justly judged and therefore condemned, is to receive mercy. So the “Lord, have mercy” gets interpreted as “Lord, grant us pardon!” Or, “Lord, let us off!” In the scriptures and tradition, however, mercy is not primarily the antonym of justice. It is rather a word for goodness, kindness, generosity and love. St. John the Merciful, for example, was not a just judge who showed mercy on criminals. He was a bishop who distinguished himself as a helper and servant of the poor, the lowly, the needy and the afflicted. (From Lenten Spring, page 61-62)

During this Great Lent we find ourselves begging for the Lord’s mercy each night in our prayers and in the prayers of the Church. I am reminded though of the parable of the Good Samaritan where Jesus reveals that mercy is found in acts of charity. Jesus asked, “’So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10.36-37)

Let us embrace the Great Lent with acts of charity for each other and say for ourselves; Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.