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Christ in the Desert

On Saturday, I watched good friends carry a miniature white casket up the aisle of our parish church, to be laid before the altar for a funeral Mass. My friends have entered the season of Lent in a profound way. Continue Reading »

After Great Lent

Last Sunday Orthodox Christians around the world finally celebrated Pascha and proclaimed Christ risen from the dead. As in Western Christendom, Orthodox Easter is preceded by Holy Week—the liturgical pinnacle of the Orthodox Church. In this week of preparation and commemoration, our services, . . . . Continue Reading »

The Man From Kempis

As a matter of fact, he was actually the man from Kempen, but the author of the world’s most cherished Christian devotional would not have cared whether we knew the details of his life. Instead, Thomas à Kempis made it his chief endeavor to direct all attention to Christ. The constant theme of . . . . Continue Reading »

Lenten Sonnet

Deny my Lord? I could not but disdain The thought that I might so esteem life’s breath As timidly to flee from threat of death And thus avoid the Saviour’s Lenten pain. No, never would I shout that same refrain Of “I know not the man!” nor would I bend In fear, but follow even to the end, . . . . Continue Reading »

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