One of the greatest, indeed, perhaps the greatest religious figure in the pre-Christian era, was Moses.[1] It is true, Jesus said no one born of a woman was greater than St. John the Baptist, but what he said had to deal with personal holiness.[2] St. John was not sent into the world to be a great religious figure, establishing particular religious rites and practices, but rather, as to be the prophet who pointed the way to Jesus, the messiah, the... Read more
God, the source and foundation of everything and everyone, sustains everyone and everything as well. He provides for and establishes the good of all things. He is, indeed, their final good. When they turn away from him, when they close themselves from him and come to their own apart from him, they lose out of the blessings which is needed to sustain their happiness. This is why the happy life is found in union with God. This is because in... Read more
When St. John the Baptist was fulfilling his ministry, calling the people of Israel to repentance, his popularity led many of the Pharisees and Sadducees, looking out for themselves, to seek John and be baptized by him for the sake of appearances. John knew what they were doing, and he spoke out: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the... Read more
The memory of the just is celebrated with hymns of praise/ but the Lord’s testimony is enough for thee, O Forerunner,/ for thou wast shown to be more wonderful than the Prophets/ since thou wast granted to baptize in the running waters / Him Whom thou didst proclaim./ Then having endured great suffering for the Truth,/ Thou didst rejoice to bring, even to those in hell/ the good tidings that God Who had appeared in the flesh/ takes away the... Read more
Palladius, in the Lausiac History, relates of a remarkable story of St. Moses the Ethiopian. When he found four robbers in his monastic cell, St Moses being a big, strong man, was able to subdue them: He tied them all together like a package, put them on his back like a bundle of straw, and took them to the church of the brethren. “Since I may not hurt anyone,” he said, “what do you want me to do with these?”... Read more
In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis suggested that there was a natural human instinct or knowledge for morality, one which can be found when discussing the concept of “fairness.” This moral instinct might not be specific in its content so that different people will reason out different moral or ethical claims; nonetheless, the desire that most people show for things to be fair which comes out when they feel they are treated unfairly indicates a universal moral foundation accepted by most... Read more
Knowledge is good, but knowledge without wisdom and charity easily leads us astray. We tend to take pride in it, thinking that because we have studied much, because we have learned much, that makes us great. Yet, we should realize that no amount of knowledge is exhaustive; there will always be more to know, more to understand, more to systematize and put together. Wisdom knows that we must act with prudence, and love makes sure that prudence is properly grounded.... Read more
The warnings of the prophet Micah to wayward Israel should concern the United States today. He indicated the coming judgment of God, that is, Israel would face the repercussions of its actions if it did not reform (as all prophetic warnings are given with the hope of establishing reform so that the dire consequences of such warnings would not have to take effect): Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against the... Read more
The Russian philosopher and historian, George Fedotov, at the beginning of his examination of the history of the “Russian Religious Mind,” informed his readers of a fact which should be obvious, and yet, for many, is not: the objective structures of a religious faith, like its doctrines or sacred rituals, represent only one aspect of religious faith. There is a subjective dimension to religious life which goes beyond such objective accounts and actions, a dimension which slowly influences the development... Read more
Jesus, through his life, death, and resurrection, constantly touched the world at large, transfiguring it with his grace. His blood poured down from the cross. A tomb was made from the rock. He was laid down to his sabbath rest in the earth. Then he rose from the dead, transforming and deifying all things. The earth and all that is upon it is called to share in the glory of God. All of creation has been affected by the incarnation,... Read more
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