We lean way too much on our own understanding, and take it for granted that what we think we know must be true. We judge others according to what we have reasoned out for ourselves, but more than that, we want accolades from others, praising us for what we have learned. We study, we read, we ponder, we contemplate, we reason out what we study, we memorize the results of our labor, and then we show off to others what... Read more
A brother renounced the world and gave his goods to the poor, but he kept back a little for his personal expenses. He went to see Abba Anthony. When he told him this, the old man said to him, “If you want to be a monk, go into the village, buy some meat, cover your naked body with it and come here like that.” The brother did so, and the dogs and birds tore at his flesh. When he came... Read more
St. Mary of Egypt, at the age of twelve, left her parents, moved to Alexandria, and became a prostitute.  She lived on the street for several years, and, according to her own words, often enjoying what she was doing. She was productive in that she was able to make money for herself thanks to a job which she seemingly enjoyed. She was a rebel who had made a place for herself in society, and had fulfilled the dream of many... Read more
“Trump Repeals Regulation Protecting Workers From Wage Theft,” reads the headline of from a Huffington Post Article. President Trump is interested in removing regulations which he says hurts business. His heart is with big business, not in the workers. This is why it is not surprising that he would allow businesses to violate basic ethical expectations by removing regulations which place a minimum standard by which businesses which receive government contracts must follow. That is, wage and safety laws which... Read more
The drama around the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah has led most readers of Scripture to focus on the end of those two infamous cities, ignoring the greater context in which that narrative was found. For, it is clear, Lot and his family moved into Sodom, giving to it a kind of blessing which helped preserve the city and giving it a chance for reform. Grace from the saints of God often benefits sinners, warding off from them the immediate... Read more
Christianity is meant to be more than beliefs about God and the world, but a way of life. There is more to the faith than the rote memorization of dogmatic facts combined with occasional liturgical celebrations.  This is not to say it is meant to be a self-righteous moralism, where people establish particular moral codes which are used to lift themselves up while pushing anyone not like them down to the lowest rung of moral credibility. It is a way... Read more
In what might be a surprise to a casual reader of the Gospels, Jesus often gave instructions to his core disciples and Apostles in secret, presenting to them insight which the general populace was not yet prepared to hear and accept. Indeed, he often enforced a silence upon his closest friends, telling them they could only speak upon what they have heard and learned after his mission had been accomplished. For this reason he would often journey in secret, because... Read more
He has actually done it.  Donald Trump has found something he can do as president which will serve the common good, and not just the selfish desires of the elites. He’s signed a bill which gives money and a mission to NASA.  This includes funding for a mission to Mars. Of course, Donald Trump doing something right is not unexpected, because no one, not even Satan, can be said to be pure evil. Good will be done by those of... Read more
One of the more interesting theological debates of the twentieth century came from the question of whether or not humanity can be said to have a pure nature closed off to itself, and so possess in itself a natural end apart from God.[1] The question, then, is whether or not humanity can retain a natural purity and glory unto itself, a natural perfection and good that has for itself an end other than in and with God. To explore the... Read more
A brother said to Abba Anthony, “Pray for me.” The old man said to him, ” I will have no mercy upon you, nor will God have any, if you yourself do not make an effort and if you do not pray to God.”[1] At first glance, this saying of Anthony appears to be very harsh. Why would Anthony say he give no mercy to someone asking for his help, that is, imply that he would not pray for a... Read more
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