Hold Nothing Against Them

As Christians we are taught not to judge. More than not to judge, we are taught to forgive. The two issues are more related than you might imagine. I hear people all the time say, “I can forgive them because God will ‘take care’ of them.” That is not the example of the Saints. When…

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Who’s the Boss?

We all have someone we listen to; someone we obey out of love and loyalty. It may be our spouse, our parents, or even the ‘boss’ at work. If we’re being honest there is one boss we obey, but it is not out of love. We obey the government out of fear. Fear does not…

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Do What He Tells You

Every Orthodox Christian is taught that obedience is a blessing. We are taught to be obedient first to God, then to the Church through our spiritual father. There are many stories of blessings that come from obedience, not the last of which is eternal life. In today’s readings I was reminded of obedience. Take a…

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God Calls All People

Person using a large red megaphone against a black background.

Few things are more troubling than feeling alone in a room full of people. That is exactly how some feel when they come to Church. They feel judged. They feel alone. The worst is when they don’t feel loved by God. Sometimes we must be reminded that God loves us. I get it. Hearing that…

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Episode 471 – God is Waiting for Us

A priest speaking during a religious ceremony with a book in hand.

When we hear the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.11-32, we hear about a man who decided to return to his father after wasting his inheritance. Rather than interrogate his son, the loving Father opened His arms, kissed him and welcomed him home with a huge celebration. That is what awaits us when…

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Truth in Love

Volunteers packing aid boxes from a van for distribution.

Speaking the truth can sometimes be awkward or even dangerous. Saints were martyred because they spoke truth. Holy men and women lost their fortunes because they lived the truth. Even we are forced to discern, daily, whether it would be good to speak the truth or not. In today’s reading from Saint Paul’s First Letter…

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Faithful or Zealous?

Silhouette with "FAITH" at sunrise background.

The modern Orthodox experience in America is complex with both longstanding members born into the Church coexisting with pious converts who have chosen Orthodoxy as their religion. Neither is more important than the other since both are members of the Body of Christ. Yet there appears to be a battle for the ‘soul’ of the…

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Christian Generosity

Hands exchanging a gift box with ribbon.

We live in a society that rewards generosity. Donors receive marble plaques, street names, and publicity. Even buildings are named for donors, often as incentive for wealthy people to give. As Christians our generosity is something different. Christian generosity expects nothing in return. When was the last time you gave anything without getting anything in…

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