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Light from the Psalter 23: Homo Adorans

Psalm 148-150; Genesis 1-2, Isaiah 6, Revelation 4-5. We come to the end of the Psalter, to the last three psalms called the “Praises” that are sung during Sunday’s morning prayer, and to the end of this series on “Light from the Psalter.” Of course, there are more psalms to be prayed, and there isContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 23: Homo Adorans”

New Podcast: “Family Bible Reading,” hosted by “Family Matters” podcast.

Family Bible Reading, a Joy and a Challenge I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation on this podcast, with host Fr. Alexander Goussetis. I hope that you will enjoy it, as well, and perhaps get some tips (many of which I have picked up from others!) on how to make Bible reading a joy in your family.

Light from the Psalter 22: The Great Confession

Psalm 50 (MT 51), 2 Kingdoms/2 Samuel 11-12, Romans 5:12-17 David’s confession, Psalm 50/51, is one of the most well-known psalms. It is used both liturgically and personally in prayer. Though it has a historical “anchor”—King David’s sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah—its framing in the first person makes itContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 22: The Great Confession”

Light from the Psalter 21: Mercy and Oil

Psalm 134, Psalm 135 (MT 135 and 136), Numbers 21:21-35, Isaiah 44:9-21, Jeremiah 10:1-16, Romans 1:18-23. With the singing of Psalms 134 and 135 (in the Hebrew, 135 and 136), we come to the high point of the matins service, in which the doors to the altar are opened, and the Gospel will be read.Continue reading “Light from the Psalter 21: Mercy and Oil”

Light from the Psalter 20: Arriving in Zion

Psalm 131-133/132-134; 2 Samuel (Kingdoms) 6-7 With Tone 5 of the Ascent Songs, we arrive at the end of our journey to the heavenly Zion. There are more morning antiphons sung in tones 6 through 8, but these return to the Ascent Psalms that we have already heard, and stress themes already touched upon. TheContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 20: Arriving in Zion”

Light from the Psalter 19: Out of the Depths

Psalms 128-130 (MT 129-131); Isaiah 42:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12-14. We continue with our pilgrimage up to God’s holy presence in the Orthros Psalms and Songs of Ascent, this time focusing on the Tone Four anabathmoi, and Psalms 128-130 (MT 129-131). These three psalms, with the antiphons that are based on them, emphasize the humble conditionContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 19: Out of the Depths”

Important Conversation

This week I was privileged to participate in the production of Ancient Faith Radio entitled “Two Natures: Examining Chalcedon and Communion.” Though I am a New Testament scholar, and this is not my specialty, I was delighted to participate in the conversation throughout. I consider this a key topic today, both for the sake ofContinue reading “Important Conversation”

Light from the Psalter 18: The Generous God

Psalms LXX 125-127 (MT 126-128); Col 1:9-14; Eph 4:4-8; 1 Cor 15:43. As we reach this third grouping of steps in the Songs (and Psalms) of Ascent, we move out of the darkness and into the light. Psalms 125-127 (MT 126-128) still remember exile, but primarily celebrate the generosity of God, who has rescued, andContinue reading “Light from the Psalter 18: The Generous God”

A blast from the past!

I have just retrieved from you-tube a series of four short talks, entitled The Trinity Today: God’s Mystery Unveiled For Us, recorded in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 2004, by the Anglican Prayerbook Society. Though Anglican at the time (I became Orthodox about 5 years later), I think all creedal Christians, including Orthodox, will find these congenial.Continue reading “A blast from the past!”

Icons and Incarnation: You Can’t Have One Without the Other

Some of you are old enough, like me, to remember the Campbell’s soup advertisement, Soup and Sandwich—you can’t have one without the other. Of course, it was based upon “Love and Marriage,” a Frank Sinatra hit from the 50s, which reflects a time when general Christian morals still were making their mark on our society. Continue reading “Icons and Incarnation: You Can’t Have One Without the Other”