Archbishop Paul's Reflections

Last Sunday we heard the readings from 1 Corinthians 8, concerning eating meat, and Matthew 25, concerning the Last Judgment. They may seem disjointed in looking at them on the surface, but they are actually very connected to each other. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better … Read More

COMPASSIONATE ONE, I COME BEFORE YOU LIKE THE PRODIGAL SON: FOR MANY YEARS I HAVE ABANDONED YOU, AND NOW YOU ARE A STRANGER TO ME. RESTORE TO ME THE FIRST LOVE WHICH I WASTED, LORD; RECEIVE ME IN REPENTANCE AND SAVE ME! (Matins Tone 4 Praises Verse, Prodigal Son) In the parable of the Prodigal Son we just heard last … Read More

Ode 5 Verse from the Triodion Let us make haste to follow the Pharisee in his virtues and to emulate the Publican in his humility, and let us hate what is wrong in each of them: foolish pride and the defilement of transgressions. This past Sunday marked the beginning of the Lenten Triodion. The gospel reading was from Luke concerning … Read More

The five Sundays before the beginning of Great Lent are important for helping us get ready to observe and participate in the Great Fast. We got started with the Sunday of Zacchaeus a few days ago. As many may know, Fr. Alexander Schmemann identified the theme of Zacchaeus Sunday as “desire.” Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He faced several obstacles. … Read More

This Sunday evening, we will be doing our livestream on this question. I am looking forward to it. I wanted to share a few preliminary thoughts on this, as unworthy as I am to do so. In August of 1993, my father passed away. I had completed my second year at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. I was at the funeral home … Read More

There has been some controversy about the vaccine for Covid 19. People are of different mindsets as to whether it is a good idea to get the vaccine. I think the recent statement from the Episcopal Assembly of Orthodox Bishops in America is a good statement to follow to help you decide. That link can be accessed here: https://domoca.org/statement-regarding-developments-in-medicine-covid-19-vaccines-immunizations/ There … Read More

The spiritual-cognitive component of anger were long recognized by our Church Holy Fathers, Saint Basil the Great recognized the loss of reason in anger. “It makes a man completely bestial…in fact, it does not even allow him to be a man at all, because he no longer has the help of his reason.” An interesting spiritual issue arises in this … Read More

Two weeks ago I posted about why Jesus needed to be baptized. I then went on to celebrate Theophany Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral. I had a glorious experience. The feast taught me about what community is, as the “worship of the Trinity made manifest.” I truly believe that we find true communion with one another in the waters the … Read More

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  The baptism of our Lord can be hard … Read More

On December 31st of 2020, the OCA web page published an encyclical from the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America entitled “Encyclical of Hope.” You can access it by clicking on this link: https://www.oca.org/cdn/PDFs/synod/2020-1231-encyclical-hope.pdf I would encourage families to read this encyclical together over a three or four day period. As you chew on this, it will make … Read More