“Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw […]
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“How Do You Not Understand?” (Mark 8:11-21)
Today’s Gospel ends with these words from Jesus to His disciples. In many ways, we can read the words almost in an exasperated tone: “I’ve shown you so many miracles, I’ve multiplied fishes and loaves not once, but TWICE, in your presence, in the recent past, and yet you are still worried about the fact […]
Cornerstone 2012 Reflection #1 – Being There
Several weeks ago I was blessed to be a part of a group that traveled to Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, Illinois to spend a week in the heat (and it was hot – very, very hot) with concertgoers, artists, friends, and self-described pilgrims and seekers of all sort. For the second year in a […]
Holy Saturday Reflection: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Since my last post, there have been several services at St. Stephens, I just haven’t stopped long enough to get to my computer. To be more exact, the service really didn’t end from last night at 7pm until after Liturgy for Holy Saturday this morning. After the Burial Service, an all night vigil was held […]
Vespers of Holy Saturday (Friday Afternoon)
This afternoon at 4pm was the service of Vespers for Holy Saturday – also known as the taking down of the cross, or the “unnailing service”. This prayer service marks the end of the crucifixion of Jesus, the taking down of His body, and the preparation for burial by Joseph of Arimathea. This theme continues […]
Holy Friday Morning (Royal Hours) Reflection: Ultimate Bible Study
Holy Week in the Orthodox Church could really be called the Ultimate Bible Study. The amount of scripture read during the services of the week is copious. This, along with the way that scripture constantly “breathes” through all the prayers of the church is designed to teach us how to enter in, how to let […]
Holy Friday (Thursday Evening) Reflection: He Who Hung the Earth Upon the Waters is Hung Upon a Tree
This evening we gathered together for the Matins of Holy Friday with the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels. This is truly among the most powerful and contemplative services in the Church year. The Cross of Christ is placed in the center of the Church, and the entire service is done by candlelight. The “12 […]
Holy Thursday (Friday, really) Morning Reflection: The Most Excellent Way of Humility
This morning at 10am, we prayed the service of the Vesperal Liturgy of Holy Friday. Even though this service happens on Holy Thursday morning (technically it is to be served in the afternoon, but most parishes do it in the morning) – we are liturgically moved very quickly to the Upper Room, and on to […]
Holy Wednesday Evening: The Service of Holy Unction
This evening at St. Stephens we had the joy of concelebrating the service of Holy Unction with our sister parish, Holy Transfiguration. This service in many ways, marks the mid-point of Holy Week – and is really, in many ways, outside of the flow (at least chronologically) of Holy Week. The service itself is actually […]
Saved Together 