Archive for May 2023
Conformity
Lately when I watch the news, I no longer doubt the treatment and torture of the martyrs. The current rise in our inability to differ without violence, for me anyway, validates the stories of the martyrs. We live in a society that demands conformity. We refuse at our own risk. Conformity in driving laws and…
Read MoreNothing Worth Anything is Easy
Whether it is going to the fitness center for a good workout, or studying for the bar exam, we can all agree that hard work is part of success. We often don’t value what is easy. There is no sense of accomplishment when something comes too easy for us. So, why do we think our…
Read MoreMotives for Change
Humanity has benefited a great deal from innovation. In just about every sector of life, innovation has improved upon what was before. Medical, scientific, technological, and even food production have all been improved by innovation. There is one place, though, where innovation is not necessarily making things better. Religious and moral innovation has continually brought…
Read MoreYou Are In the Father
Yesterday the Church celebrated the Feast of Ascension, the day which commemorates Christ’s glorious return to His Throne in Heaven. Here’s the deal that most Christians do not consider. If we are baptized into Christ, and become united to Christ, then we too are on the Throne of God with Christ. It doesn’t mean that…
Read MoreStill True
Today is the Feast of Apodosis of Pascha. It is the final day of celebration of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the last day to say and sing Christ is Risen! By the end of today, we will have to wait until May 5, 2024, to sing…
Read MoreThe End is Near
Nobody wants to admit it. Nobody wants to think about it. Nobody wants to believe it. The end is near. It is nearer today than it was yesterday. On the surface we are forced to admit that today we are closer to the end than at any time in our history. As Orthodox Christians we…
Read MoreHistorical Perspective
If you grew up in the Church and attended Sunday school, chances are pretty good that you were told we were the Church that never changes. You were told that every time someone came up with a teaching that was wrong, the entire Church came to an agreement through divine inspiration. You may not want…
Read MoreEpisode 397 – Choose to Believe
When Christ healed the man born blind, many refused to believe. It was easier to think the man was never blind, than to believe he was healed by God. Without desire to believe, we will refuse even to believe what we see with our own eyes. When we choose to believe our eyes, then we…
Read MoreI Really REALLY Mean it this Time
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was a young child trying to convince someone what I wanted. I told them over and over again but this person didn’t believe me. “No. I really mean it this time.” Again, I tried to convince my opponent. “I really REALLY mean it.” It wasn’t until I…
Read MoreIgnorance or Indifference
When we are toddlers, our parents are charged with teaching us right from wrong. The degree of right and wrong changes as we grow in maturity. What is cute for a toddler is eventually wrong for a teenager, etc. When we are little, our poor behavior can be ignored simply because we don’t know better.…
Read More