Today is one of those days where victory and defeat come simultaneously. I have to realize that the world does not understand the Orthodox faith. I do not understand the Orthodox faith as it often strikes me as too great a mystery to ever fully be known. Yet, now more than ever [...]
Archive for July, 2008
Discouraged
Posted in Church, Theology on July 30, 2008 | 4 Comments »
To Struggle
Posted in Faith, Prayer on July 29, 2008 | 1 Comment »
If I had to reduce Orthodoxy to one verb, I think I would pick struggle. As Christians, we are called to struggle so that we may be united to God in Christ. Even looking at Christ, we see struggle as a central theme. Christ lived for 33 years in constant obedience to [...]
No Shortcuts
Posted in Liturgy, Theology on July 28, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I went to school in Boston, and like the rest of New England, drivers find that the road they are on does not go to where they want. Often times directions start with “You know, you can’t get there from here” because first you have to go somewhere else seemingly unrelated.
Today in Liturgy, I [...]
Finding the Way
Posted in Faith, Saints on July 26, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Sometimes, I feel convinced that there has to be an easier way to God than the way prescribed by the Orthodox Church. Prayer, fasting, standing for long services, maintaining my struggle against the passions…these all require endurance. Within my moments of weakness, I find myself wondering, “You know, do I really have to [...]
At the top of the Hour
Posted in Liturgy, Prayer on July 25, 2008 | 3 Comments »
So often, when people think of Liturgy, free-association leads them to repetition, meaninglessness, disengagement, and similar words with negative connotations. All of these words come into play when one considers the liturgical prayers of the Hours. Yet how do we benefit from praying liturgically?
To begin, I think it needs to be said that [...]
On my right and on my left
Posted in Church, Saints on July 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Stands a person.
I was listening to a talk today by Frederica Mathewes-Green entitled “Standing Together” that was on Ancient Faith Radio. It really made me think.
As an undergraduate, I endured some classes where 30 years ago, a professor may have opened a class with the words “Look to your left, look to your right… [...]
To be the Church
Posted in Faith, Saints on July 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
And I think that it’s fair to call this post a “Part 1″ even though I have no idea how many parts there will be.
Within the walls of our local parishes we find a mystical realm. This realm connects us to all who have gone before, are going now, and will come in the [...]
The Confession of my Hand
Posted in Faith, Prayer on July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In thinking about the gifts of the Church, I keep coming back to the Sign of the Cross. How can one gesture say so much?
When I make the Sign of the Cross, what does my hand say?
To begin, my first three fingers come together, joined at the tips: God is 3 in 1. [...]
The Two Questions
Posted in Faith on July 21, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Occasionally, we see things clearly. We can identify the source of our own strains of thought. These identifications can be useful because they empower us to shift our worldview, however microscopically.
Previously, my Christian life depended largely on advancing my understanding of the Bible. The Bible, I thought, had all of the answers. [...]
The Invitation
Posted in Liturgy, Visitors on July 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Whenever I have conversations with people about Orthodoxy, I always encourage them to visit an Orthodox parish near them. I’m learning that the faith within the Church embodies the invitation to the first disciples: Come and see (see John 1:35-51).
Orthodox services differ from every other type of service I have attended. Within the [...]
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