Notes for a talk on Orthodoxy, Ritual and Moral Psychology (YouTube video here) Warning: I use the words “conservative” and “liberal” throughout this talk. I am not talking about Republicans and Democrats. If you think I am talking about politics your will miss the point of the talk. I am talking about psychology, morality, and […]
ON THE FIRST SUNDAY of the Great Fast our Church celebrates the triumph of Orthodoxy, the victory of true Christian teaching over all perversions and distortions thereof—heresies and false teachings. On the second Sunday of the Great Fast it is as though this triumph of Orthodoxy is repeated and deepened in connection with the celebration of the memory of one of the greatest pillars of Orthodoxy, the hierarch Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, who by his grace-bearing eloquence and the example of his highly ascetic private life put to shame the teachers of falsehood who dared reject the very essence of.Orthodoxy, the podvig of prayer and fasting, which enlightens the human mind with the light of grace and makes it a communicant of the divine glory.
Homily: How to be a Man
Homily: advice to my oldest son, graduating from high school Introduction Be a hero – the right man in the right place at the right time, prepared to get things done. But how do you do that? It doesn’t just happen on it’s own. Too many men are too lazy or vice-ridden to step up […]
Homily – The Blind Man, Mythology, and Tradition
The Man Born Blind – on mythology and truth (St. John 9:1-38) I love mythology. I love the stories, the heros, their virtues, their flaws, and the different messes they try to work themselves out of. From the strength of Hercules and the passion of Achilles; to the asceticism of Qui-Gon Ginn, the optimism of […]
Homily – The Enlightened Moral Psychology of the Samaritan Woman
Homily Notes: Samaritan Woman St. John 4:5-42 “He told me all I ever did.” (St. John 4:29) This is not new for God. His omniscience has long been recognized. The prophet David proclaimed it in song in Psalm 138, which includes these words (7-12); Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I […]
Homily – Our Broken Moral Psychology (and how to heal it… and the world)
Memorial Day, The Raising of the Paralytic, the raising of Dorkas, What effect do you have on others? Is it like St. Peter’s? Do you walk in the midst of broken people bringing them healing? Do others, recognizing the potency of your peace, go out of their way just to be in your shadow? Have […]
Homily – Annunciation and the Cross
Today we have the concelebration of two wonderful feasts: the celebration of the cross with the Annunciation (so we are half way through Great Lent and nine months away from the Nativity!). These are two feasts that fit so well together: a life offered in love for Christ carries a burden that leads to Resurrection […]
20130325 Paleo, the Paranormal, and Prepping
Today’s show addresses the questions of Lenten Paleo fasting, whether NDE’s are proof of the soul etc., and what everyone should do to be prepared for the most likely emergencies. I also talk about fun and transformative lenten disciplines like fasting, meditation, and walking. Enjoy the show! Check out this episode Some links for this […]
Homily: St. John Chrysostom on Colossians 3:12-16
St John Chrysostom on Colossians 3:12-16 [before this, St. Paul told us to put away worldly things – now he teaches us how the new man is to act] Ver. 12-13. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and […]
Homily notes after Newtown: darkness.
Epistle reading. Colossians 1:12-18Gospel Reading: Luke 18 (the rich young man) Dark times. Our world needs light. Our world needs a savior. From today’s Epistle (resonates more after this past week): Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered […]