Archive for April 2018

As you look back to your Holy Week experience, I’m sure you recall many visitors to your Church. Some were familiar faces of those parishioners whom you hadn’t seen in a while, but there were others whom you never met. During Holy Week, naturally our Churches are filled with people who do not attend on…

Much has been written about the exodus of our youth from the Church. What I have to say today is not new information, but it connects to today’s Gospel lesson, so it might hit home differently. According to studies, as many as 60-80% of youth are leaving the Church permanently, and it is our job…

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear what could be the most famous passage in the Bible, thanks to televised sporting events. There isn’t a sporting event that goes by where at least one person is not holding up a large poster for the TV cameras which reads, “John 3.16” which is a rich blessing to…

On the Sunday of Thomas, the eighth day of Pascha, we hear God say to His Disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28.19) We also hear God say, “Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe.” (John 20.29) Shortly before His Passion Christ also prayed for “those who will…

Did you fast all of Great Lent? If you did, then today your body is sending you a message. If you remember back to the first couple days of the fast, your body was cleansing itself of the many toxins in you diet. Without meat and dairy, your body cleansed itself. You probably even felt…

Our journey is over, or is it just beginning? Today is the Feast of Feasts, the Day of Resurrection, the day on which the world has forever changed. Christ is Risen, and death no longer has any power over our lives. If we have learned anything from this year’s Daily Lenten Journey, I pray we…

On Holy and Great Friday the Church commemorates the Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Last night the Cross of Christ was processed around in a darkened Church, while faithful approached quietly to venerate our Crucified Lord. Since the Cross is otherwise not available for the people to venerate, as it is always…

On Holy and Great Thursday, the Church commemorates the establishment of the Eucharist, the New Covenant between God and His People. As we approach the final days of our journey to Pascha, it is a good reminder that the Passion of Christ, His Crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection is NOT an act of obedience to…

On Holy and Great Wednesday, we commemorate the betrayal of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During last night’s Bridegroom Matins, we sang a hymn that poetically places two options in front of us. The place of Judas who betrayed Christ, or the sinful harlot. At first we might say, neither betrayer nor harlot, but…

Holy and Great Tuesday is a day to remember to avoid being foolish. Many have been foolish over the centuries. Some have even boldly declared themselves “ready” to meet God. While we must all strive to be ready, as this week’s focus reminds us, to think we are finished and ready is a risk I’m…