Category: Uncategorized

Ecclesiasticus 7:4–14 Revelation 8:1–13 Luke 10:17–24 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice, as it flew in midheaven, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets which the three angels are about to blow!” Revelation 8:13 I confess this Election…

Ecclesiasticus 4:20-5:7Revelation 7:1-8Luke 9:51-62 Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” for the Lord is slow to anger. Do not be so confident of atonement that you add sin to sin. Do not say, “His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins,” for both mercy and wrath are…

In my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.Colossians 1:24 This verse came up in a conversation about Paul’s teaching and Francis of Assisi’s reception of the Stigmata – the matching of signs on his body with the physical wounds of Christ in…

Jonah 1:17-2:10 Acts 27:9-26 Luke 9:1-17 Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ – Jonah 2:8-9 He sent them out to proclaim…

Jonah 1:1-17Acts 26:24-27:8Luke 8:40-56 Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 6:48 Jesus answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” Luke 6:50 A long time ago I noticed the Gospels use “pistos” and “sozo” a lot. They both get translated differently in…

Hosea 14:1-9 Acts 22:30-23:11 St Luke 6:39-49 O E’phraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress, from me comes your fruit. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of…

I had a good friend a while ago, although we have fallen out of touch now. He, his wife, and kids welcomed me into their family like a near relative: not a distant one that smells funny, but a favorite uncle; maybe cousin would be better. He was a Orthodox clergyman, although he has since…

In a discussion at St Augustine’s Western Rite Orthodox Church in Denver, the priest shared that Fr Alexander Schmemann once said words to this effect: You cannot refer to “Anglican Liturgy” because although there is one prayer book, if you go different parishes you find that each parish does things differently, based on the whims…

Just after Labor Day in NYC is a special time for me. It’s when I moved to NYC in 1983 – taking all my stuff and going to NYU, moving into the fraternity house at 3-5 Washington Place. NYU was suffering from a housing shortage and some fraternities (especially those with many members who didn’t…

There are so many threads to this tapestry, it’s hard to know where to start this post.  I’ll begin with my own family: beginning with the first William Richardson in America. I share his name – Donne Huw William Richardson – and I had the “William” even before I changed my name in 2000.  William…

I’ve noticed in younger Orthodox Churches (I’m thinking of new missions, etc), both Eastern and Western Rites, a tendency to imitate the decorating styles of “the Old Country” – even when there is no Old Country.  We imitate their art and their architecture as if it were the only way to do things.  I just…

Warning, Church Geek Rant ahead. At one time, the Sundays after Easter were counted (in the west) as X number of Sunday after certain feasts. “After Pentecost”, “After Apostles” (the feast of Peter and Paul on 29 June), “After Laurence” (Feast of St Laurence on 10 August) and “After the Angels” (St Michael and All…

Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament. . . . There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves on earth, and more than that: Death. By the divine paradox,…

One day, Fr T said unto me “I have solved the problem with the Epiclesis!”  For those not in the know, the Roman Canon is lacking an epiclesis (invocation of the Holy Ghost over the gifts).  This is because the Roman Canon is older than the Constantinopolitan idea of the need for such things.  When…

Some cool road names here. With the “Prosecution” sign next to it, this is “Grumpy Grandma Gulch”. Bear Trax?? Faint hints of green are showing up. #springtime I love this stand of trees in the middle of the wash. Here they are again with better light. Even these towers look pretty to me. Sebastian, the…