For the first time, the account of feeding the four thousand in Mark 8 reminded me of Christ's temptation in the wilderness. It was verse four that did it: the disciples ask, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?" It recalls the devil's first temptation, in which he goads a very hungry Jesus to turn stones into ( Read more... )

So while visiting naqerj and aviendha1979 a couple of weeks ago, I ran a question by the former. You see, I had seen The Incredibles over the Christmas break (with my very cool brother, who reminded me that I am again a student and therefore qualify for the discount!) and had begun to wonder about the fascination people have with super heroes. Why is so much money ( Read more... )

Now the purpose of the commandment is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and a faith unfeigned --I Timothy 1:5.

This is the end or purpose of God's commandment: to love. It is the commandment and the end.

We have exiled beauty. The Greeks took up arms for her. -Camus

First flurries fall.

It was a day of dappled seaborne clouds...and wind most mighty!

Anybody recognize the allusion in that?

So on the way back from chapel today, one of our deacons taught me something that reminded me of Walker Percy. He told me that the Greek word for "compassion" (I don't know how to use the Greek font yet) is related to the word for "bowels". This brings the Psalms to mind, as well, for in them are several references to kidneys or inward parts. ( Read more... )

Summer sent a gift the other day ( Read more... )

Last night was the liturgy of St. James, which I had only seen once or twice before. I love the movement in this liturgy: we start in the narthex along with all the clergy, who proceed to the middle of the nave, then to the solea, then finally to the altar ( Read more... )

As I pulled into the school this afternoon, I realized that I was going to be late for Paraklesis, which we have every Friday and Sunday at 5:00 P.M. Since Paraklesis is my least favorite of the Orthodox services and since one of Dvorak's Slavonic Dances had put me in a rather Romantic mood, I decided to turn around and explore the nearby park, ( Read more... )