A journal of byzantine digressionS
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So this Guy’s got Two Boys, right?
Readings for the Sunday of the Prodigal: NOT THAT THERE’S Really this kind of ranking system, but I imagine that “The Prodigal Son” is one of the more well-known of Jesus’ stories. Perhaps equally as often what they know about this story is wrong. We use “prodigal” as a way to describe anyone who goes
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Freedom is a State of Soul
Tuesday in the week of the Publican & the Pharisee: BETWEEN THE CFR Podcast and my own t0-read (especially Transformation in Christ and He and I) list I’m in the midst of a flood of thoughts about interior freedom. This is a specifically Christian conception, although it may have non-Christian predecessors in pagan philosophies. How
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Publican and Republican
The readings for the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee: LAST NIGHT I attended the vigil service at Holy Trinity Cathedral (OCA), my former parish. Since my Byzantine Catholic Parish does not have vigil services, I think I may make a few trips over to the Cathedral this Lent. The Dean greeted me and
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Not a Tame Lion
WRESTLING with the idea that one should both Fear God and Love him, praying for wisdom. The image arises first of the Icon of God, a human person. They are awesome, but – even if I do manage to love them for the right reasons, I never fear them except for what they could do
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Theology of Marriage
The assignment was to pick 15 questions out of 24 or so. This was the review over the whole class. POPE ST JOHN PAUL said, “The only adequate response to a person is love.” Love is the correct response, then, to a person present to us: the icon of God. Love is an act of
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Calendar Nerd
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To Do Bible
LEARNING OF the death of my friend, Minka, via Facebook sent me on a used book quest to find her out-of-print works. Finally a copy of Praying from the Free Throw Line – For Now was procured from Thriftbooks. Reading it has not only triggered old memories (for I can hear her voice as I
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Being a Chooser
WALKING TO WORK YESTERDAY I saw one of the multitudes of unhoused that roam our streets. He was hunched over, draped in his blanket, and wearing a large floppy hat. He looked, it struck me, exactly like so many ancient engravings (such as heads up this post). And as he passed me, he was engaged
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A New Project
WHEREIN I try blogging in another language. The tagline says “Now I can make typos in two languages.” It’s very simple sentences and I do use Google Translate to check myself – and for more complex constructions. I don’t promise much by way of exciting content. But I hope to be able to get better
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Thomas Hopko’s 55 Maxims
ALONG WITH THE “Rule” of the Late Fr Alexander Schmemann, which he wrote in his Journal on Tuesday, January 20, 1981 (see my copy here) the 55 Maxims of the Late Fr Thomas Hopko are, for me, a sure guide to living a Christian life as a single man living in the world. I can
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Homeless Life in SF
Homo quidam erat dives…There was a certain rich man… WE HAVE A HUGE HOMELESS problem in San Francisco. The problem is we have a huge, wealthy population that’s scared of homeless people.They are scared that property values might fall.They are scared that job candidates might get turned off.They are scared that poor people might cause crimes.They
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Types and Shadows
The Readings for the 2nd Thursday, Tempus per Annum (C2) They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary; for when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:5 HEBREWS SPEAKS
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Reading the Signs of Ordinary Times
The Readings for the 1st Saturday, Tempus per Annum (C2) The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and
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Homework for Hebrew Class
The assignment was to share a song (in Hebrew or English) that has a special meaning. Then explain (in Hebrew) why the song was important. דיברנו בשיעור על רכבות… אני ממש אוהב רכבות כי סבא שלי. בתקופת השפל הגדול סבא היה “נווד”. הוא נסע ברכבות בכל רחבי ארה”ב לכן הוא אהב רכבות כל חייו. כשהייתי
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More Ordinary Mysteries
The Readings for the 1st Wednesday, Tempus per Annum (C2) For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 THE ANONYMOUS AUTHOR of Hebrews, just for a shorthand, let’s give him a name… say… St Paul? Anyway, St Paul begins, “Since the children share
Orthoparadoxy 