During their long journey from Egypt to the promised land, the people of Israel would often become restless, then angry for not finding earthly satisfaction, and finally their inward spirit would show itself as they would grumble against Moses and God. Many forgot the terrible treatment they suffered at the hands of the Egyptians, and looked back to their time of slavery with nostalgia, for at least they were comforted back then knowing they could stay in one place, and... Read more
Most glorious art Thou, Christ our God/ Who didst establish our Father Patrick/ as the Enlightener of the Irish and a torch-bearer on earth,/ and through him didst guide many to the true Faith./ Most Compassionate One, glory to Thee (Troparion of St Patrick). We are all pilgrims in the world. We are here for a short time before we leave it in our death. Some people might not want to accept this, and so will hold on to the... Read more
Coming from the tradition started by Dostoevsky in Crime and Punishment, the television series Columbo, in its own fashion, followed Dostoevsky in becoming a vehicle not only to show the worst elements of humanity, but the means by which humanity can also be redeemed. While probably unintentional, this aspect of the series might serve as one of the many unconscious reasons why the series is so effective despite being mysteries with a format which contradicts conventional detective stories by having... Read more
God’s omnipotence transcends human ability to comprehend it. When we think about it, contemplating its implications, we find ourselves confronted with paradoxes which show the failing of human logic instead of the failing of the notion of omnipotence. Human logic is a construct, based upon how humans see, view, experience and understand the world. It is a tool which is beneficial when used properly, and so can point us to various truths, but when its limitations are not understood, when... Read more
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an... Read more
A Black Muslim I knew in High School gave me the Koran which I still possess to this day (the one translated and commented upon by Yusuf Ali). This was because we would discuss religion and theology and he wanted me to have a better understanding of Islam. A couple years later, during my first year at college, my dormitory was used, in part, for foreign exchange students, most of which were Muslims. I got to know, and talk with... Read more
In the City of God, St. Augustine gave an account of the trials and tribulations of Rome before the advent of Christ. He did this because many pagans were calling the fall of Rome as a result of Christian rejection of the old gods. He wanted to show to them that Rome had a long history of tragedy which could not be blamed upon Christ and his Christian followers, that the so-called gods had been indifferent to the plight of... Read more
One day I was shopping at a local drug store which was in walking distance from where I lived. There were a few things I wanted to buy which they had on sale. I did not have a basket to carry them, so I held them all in my hands. Among what I was buying was a soda twelve-pack. The store was more than a little busy. A line was forming in front, with several of us waiting patiently, holding... Read more
In the Byzantine tradition, the Sundays of the Great Fast have set themes which provide spiritual and theological guidance. They play a central role in the liturgical catechism which teaches the faithful year after year the most important elements of the religious life. The First Sunday of the Great Fast is “The Sunday of Orthodoxy,” or, “The Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy.” It is the celebration of the restoration of images after the iconoclastic crisis, a celebration which has... Read more
Abba Anthony said, “I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, “What can get through from such snares?” Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Humility.'”[1] Humility was central to Anthony’s spiritual life. He knew it was one of the chief virtues, that it should be a focal point for his own ascetic practice. He also understood that pride and vainglory, because they led a spiritual practitioner to focus and become... Read more
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