429. Prophets: True and False, Old and New – Part One

  A prophet? Not. I suspect this is the popular idea of a prophet: a fortune-teller, a sooth-sayer. No. Prophets are spokesmen for God, through whom God has had all manner of things to say, often in judgment, and also often warnings about the future. Why a Post about Prophets today? 1 Because during December our […]

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425. Israel and the Palestinians, November 2023 – Part One

I’ll try to be objective in what follows. However, I need to make it clear that I am a priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, which is part of the Patriarchate of Antioch (Syria). Because of this I have known many first generation Americans of Middle Eastern origin, including many Palestinians, who […]

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420. A Homily at the Funeral of a Dear Friend: Why we believe in eternal life

Last week I wrote that Khouria Dianna and I had spent much of the preceding week with a very good friend who was dying. And so he did, on Monday, September 18. May his memory be eternal, and may the Lord have mercy on us all.  A Homily at the Funeral of Calvin Anthony McIntyre […]

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419: Christ’s directions for Living: Matthew chapter 5 – “If a man looks at a woman with lust” and more

    People used to “Ask Abby” for advice. Today – I just looked up a list – it’s “Ask Carolyn” or “Ask Miss Manners” or “Ask Sahaj” (I just discovered him), “Ask a Queer Chick” (! not advised) and many more. I wonder how many people “Ask Jesus”? Note, however: He doesn’t advise; He […]

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417. What’s missing in the Creed: Part One – Matthew chapter 5

Now that I’ve got your attention (and may the Holy Fathers of the First and Second Ecumenical Councils forgive me) I’m not suggesting for a moment that the Creed be altered.  However, I do I wish the it contained some reference to: The Teachings of Jesus  By which I mean His directions for living, His […]

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