Palm SundayScripture: John 12:1-18 The Setting In the saga of Christ, we’re now at the edge of the big dramatic finale. In one week’s time, it’ll all be over, and, so, we sit in anticipation to watch the full drama

Lazarus SaturdayScripture: Hebrews 12:28-29; 13:1-8 and John 11:1-45 Oops! It hasn’t gone unnoticed that the opening chapters of Genesis set the stage for the rest of the Bible. We live in a fallen world—where there is pain, suffering, and evil—so it’s

5th Sunday of Lent: St. Mary of EgyptScripture: Mark 10:32-45 Nutshell Oops! We probably all remember our middle school (or junior high school) years. Whether we remember them fondly or not probably depends on how well we “fit in.” Ugh!

4th Sunday of Lent: St. John of the LadderScripture: Mark 9:17-31 Oops! If you’re like me, you probably think of yourself as a modern, contemporary person. What do I mean by that. I mean that I consider myself enlightened about

The following text is from a talk I delivered on April 11, 2024, for a Catholic-Orthodox dialogue in Duluth, MN, known as ‘Theology Uncapped.’ The discussion, entitled ‘Last Things,’ focused on the concepts of death, judgment, heaven, and hell in

Third Sunday of Lent: the Veneration of the CrossScripture: Mark 8:34-38; 9:1 Nutshell Oops! Recently, I read that it often takes more courage to wage peace than to wage war. As we look around the world, it seems that war

Sunday of St. Gregory PalamasScripture: Hebrews 1:10-2:3 Nutshell Oops! In our world, personal responsibility is a trait that we typically think of as a sign of maturity. However, in our world, it’s becoming more and more common to see our

Sunday of OrthodoxyScripture: Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-40 Nutshell Oops! Our Lenten read, which discusses shame, suggests that shame is a result of our broken communion with God, and this leaves us naked and ashamed. Ugh! In this condition, we panic because no

With all due respect to Thomas Jefferson and our Founding Fathers, our current definition isn’t true freedom—not really. 

Did Christ free us just so we can become enslaved to our passions and the temptations of this world?