For newcomers in liturgical theology Fr. Alexander Schmemann is a figure that everyone comes into contact with eventually. For many, he is the figure which opened the door to liturgical theology in the first place. For many in the field, the conversation around him is a given and so rarely are there opportunities to pause the conversation and help bring students up-to-speed with who Fr. Schmemann was, and even rarer how people have continued to interact with his work. I... Read more
The history of Eastern Orthodoxy in the United States is fascinating. In my own study of it I’ve been amazed at how one individual can so dramatically change the course and direction of the Church. There are a handful of individuals who had a vision for the Gospel and their community and were able to transform the life of the communities they were a part of. For Orthodox Christians in the United States, particularly those connected to the OCA today,... Read more
Understanding is a gift that is often hard fought for. Those precious few who can communicate complexity in terms accessible and understandable to others offer a true gift. Alexander Schmemann was a man who possessed this incredible gift and with it was able to communicate to a world that had hitherto before been clouded in mystery. He opened the eyes to many in the west a vision of sacramentality and its place in the work of salvation that God demonstrates in... Read more
There are few voices that have captivated my theological imagination like that of Alexander Schmemann. It was discovering his work in my years in seminary that helped me create a context through which I began to put words into what made the liturgy and sacraments such an essential part of my spirituality and certainly played a role in my personal journey to the Catholic Church. His wisdom is the bedrock upon which many of the most influential theologians on my... Read more
Culture is contagious. There was a recent study that was done that showed one of the best determinants of performance in the workplace was one’s proximity to others. The closer your desk was to a high-performing superstar the more likely your own results would be better, your time would be spent more productively and your end of year “numbers” would improve. The converse was true as well. The closer you were to people with bad attitudes the more likely you were to adopt a... Read more
Today begins Lent. A few years ago I did some research into the origins of Lent. There isn’t a clear consensus on why Lent emerged in the Church in its current form, but one thing is sure, it was about uniting new disciples with Jesus. Lent began as a way for people who wanted to become Christians to take the first step in discipleship: repentance. It was a tangible process to turn their whole hearts and lives towards Jesus. Lent was the period where they would... Read more
Heavenly Father, I want to follow Jesus. I want to follow him step by step. I want to trust that he will lead me; Even when it’s through the valley of the shadow of death I want to trust he can work good through all things; Even in the times I am most afraid of evil. I want to rely on his strength; Even in my weakness. Today I stumbled. I lost sight of his footsteps. I began to follow a dangerous... Read more
I have some shocking news for you. Christmas is not about celebrating Jesus birthday. Don’t get me wrong, Jesus’ birth is a significant part of Christmas, but what we honor on December 25th is not his birthday, it is his incarnation. This can be seen in the Gospel reading for Christmas day, which is John 1:1–18. This passage nowhere mentions Jesus birth account but instead is an account of the eternal generation of Christ and the advent of his light... Read more
Where do you find hope? We have now entered the season of Advent. This first week is often called the “Hope” week, which is followed by Peace, Joy, and Love. I have been thinking about hope a lot this year. One quote I really like about hope comes from psychiatrist George Vaillant. My Friend Jim Balmer introduced me to it. He says, “If you want to treat an illness that has no easy cure, first of all, treat... Read more
To say this has been a difficult month for those within the Catholic Church would be an understatement. I have dealt with a grief that comes in unexpected waves for weeks and every day it comes on stronger. I have had few words and fewer clear thoughts. I have never had a strong connection with Mary, given my protestant upbringing and sensibilities. In spite of that Mary has been my guide through this period. In her, I see the example... Read more
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