Parenthood

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Last night I watched the premier episode of a new series on NBC called Parenthood. I was a little sceptical going into watching this episode as now a days TV programs seem to be all about sex and drugs and disobeying ones parents. Well I am happy to report I was wrong!

This is a wonderful family show that I think ranks right up there with some of the great programs about families to include “Eight is Enough” and “The Waltons.” However the show was a little hard to follow as there are a lot of people in the show and you really need to pay attention to who belongs to who, so it takes some work on your part to watch.

The premise of the story is it follows one family. The parents Craig T Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia have 4 grown children with a combined five children between them. It has the typical one child is the lawyer that works way too much and the daughter who moved away and married the rock star and now is moving home. Hey every family has those right?

Well the story follows all of them and how they interact with each other. Very well done I would say. This is not “Leave it to Beaver” but it is a great show and I plan to watch more.

2nd Sunday of Great Lent

Posted on by Fr. Peter
The 2nd Sunday of Great Lent is dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas and the gospel passages focuses on the healing of the paralytic from St. Mark’s Gospel. Below is the Gospel and some of my notes from my sermon. I have also included a link to the audio of the sermon.

The Reading is from Mark 2:1-12

At that time, Jesus entered Capernaum and it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak thus? It is a blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your pallet and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”-he said to the paralytic-“I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.” And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Sickness, suffering and death are not normal for humans, they are the result of the fall of man. Humanity was created for eternal life in communion with God but because of our sin that communion was broken and the result of that break is suffering, sin, and death for without God there can be no life.

In the Orthodox context, sickness and suffering are the inevitable consequences of the sinful state of the whole world, which followed from the first sin of Adam and Eve. Because of this fall and infection has spread to all of humanity and through humanity to the entire world.

Sickness is a complex reality and healing is even more complex. Two parts of healing must take place, the physical and the spiritual.

In the Anointing Service on Holy Wednesday we look to heal both the physical and the spiritual. If the spiritual is not healed then the physical healing makes no sense. This is why Jesus first forgave the sins of the person, although our personal sin has nothing to do with our sickness. The ultimate aim of healing is the restoration of communion with God and the Church.

God works through medicine and works through the skill of the doctors and other scientists to help heal the body. However we must never loose sight of the fact that it is God who heals and not the doctor! The physical healing is not an end in itself, the body is healed to be used for the purpose of creation, to glorify God, to hasten the coming of the kingdom, and to witness to the truth of Christ in the Gospels.

Healing and forgiveness are intimately connected and cannot be separated. Forgiveness is mediated through the prayers and anointing with oil in the rite of the Anointing of the Sick. Through the Anointing we hearken back to the grace we received at baptism not for the forgiveness of sin but for new birth, enlightenment, liberation from the slavery of sin, and adoptions as sons and daughters.

This is more than just the healing of the body this is a cosmic event all things are set back in proper perspective. Sin, sickness and death are conquered and made powerless through Christ. Our defeat is transformed into victory as out sufferings are joined to the sufferings and victory of Christ on the cross. The way we suffer and die says more about our Christian faith than any other words or deeds.

All things ultimately die. Even the people that Jesus healed in the Gospels and Lazarus who rose from the dead died again. The goal is the restoration of fallen, sickly and mortal humanity into communion with Christ and with the Church.

Olympic Hockey

Posted on by Fr. Peter
I am not what one would call a hockey fan. I like to watch hockey but I don’t really follow it and not sure who plays for what team. Does Bobby Or still play?

However I rely got into the Olympic Hockey these past two weeks. Maybe it was the level of play that drew me in but I even watched the women play and they were great. I am not sure how I feel about professionals playing in what is supposed to be armature sports, but yesterday’s game was one for the books. With less than one minute left in regulation play the USA scored a goal and sent the game into overtime. What a better way to end the Olympics. Okay would have been better if the USA won but hey it was a great series.

Now I will also admit I did have a tear in my eye when the entire place started to sing O Canada. Maybe it is because I am only 2 generations removed from my own Canadian heritage or maybe it is because I like the tune either way it is something when the flag is raised and the anthem is played. Team USA has nothing to be ashamed of and they should hold their heads high. As far as I remember they were not expected to get this far!

So we had some great TV the last few weeks and now we need to wait 2 years for the summer Olympics in London. Not that big of a fan of the Summer Olympics but I am sure I will watch.

The big question is this, will all of you who watched the Hockey game yesterday tune in now to watch the NHL?

Orthodox in Chile

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Word has reached us of an orphanage located in Santiago, Chile run by a group of Orthodox Nuns.

The St. John of Kronstadt Hogar is a home for girls and is located right in the heart of the city and no one has been heard from. If anyone has more information please post it in the comments section.

The Website of the Hogar is here and is still active.

Earthquake Rocks Chile; Fast-Moving Tsunami Feared in Pacific

Posted on by Fr. Peter
President Obama said the “devastating” earthquake that rocked Chile early Saturday had unleashed a tsunami, rolling across the Pacific, that could soon reach American shores at Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa.

A tsunami warning has been issued in those places, the president said, “and people have been alerted to evacuate coastal areas.” Citizens on the West Coast should also be prepared for the possibility of “dangerous waves and currents throughout the day,” he said.

In a statement from the White House Rose Garden, Obama said “early indications are that hundreds of lives have been lost in Chile, and the damage is severe. On behalf of the American people Michelle and I send ouir deepest condolences to the Chilean people. The United States stands ready to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts.”

Obama said he had “reached out” to Chilean President Michelle Bachelet “to let her know that we will be there for her, should the Chilean people need assistance.” Earlier, Obama led a conference call with his cabinet and White House staff to get an update on the destruction in Chile and subsequent tsunami warning in the Pacific.

Chile’s TVN cable news channel reported that at least 120 people had perished, but communications were spotty near the center of the quake, the city of Concepcion in the south of the country.

“Once again, we’ve been reminded of the awful devastation that can come at a moment’s notice,” Obama said in Washington, “We cannot control nature, but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes. In the hours ahead, we’ll continue to take every step possible to prepare our shores and protect our citizens. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “We are closely monitoring the situation, … Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile, and we stand ready to help in ths hour of need.”

The State Department said it was ready to help “as rapidly and effectively as we can.” The U.S. government activated a disaster response team and alerted two search and rescue teams, the Washington Post said.

Chile’s President Bachelet declared a catastrophe in central Chile after the magnitude-8.8 quake, the Associated Press reported. The news agency quoted Bachelet as saying a huge wave swept into a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, 410 miles off the Chilean coast in the Pacific Ocean. Property damage was widespread, and Bachelet called for calm.

In Washington, a Department of Homeland Security official said FEMA was monitoring the quake and staying in touch with emergency workers in Hawaii where a tsunami warning was issued, the New York Times reported. Sirens wailed alerting residents to check radio and television reports for guidance.

The AP said tsunami waves could crash on Asian, Australian and New Zealand shores within 24 hours of the quake.

Jenifer Rhoades, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), told CNN, “it is a serious situation. People in these areas need to move to higher ground and away from beaches.”An tsumani “advisory” — a less severe notice than a warning — was issued for the West Coast of the United States, meaning people should stay away from beaches, NOAA said.

h/t Politics Daily

Communion on Plastic Spoon

Posted on by Fr. Peter
This is outrageous!

The following come from the Adventures of an Orthodox Mom Blog

Communicable Diseases and the Common Cup

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

A Blessed Lenten Season!

It is with much sadness, pain of heart and love for our Holy Church that I write these lines only a few days after the first Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, which is the culmination of her many and great victories against heresy.

There was something different however about this particular Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Americas. I honestly did not expect to witness this sort of thing in my lifetime. It seems that my holy elder (A. Mitilinaios) was justified in teaching that ecumenism leads to secularism and faithlessness.

On this Sunday of Orthodoxy 2010, most of the parishioners of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Rutland Vermont (Diocese of Boston), separated themselves from the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church. Alas! They were administered “hold communion” with an individual plastic spoon!!!

The liberal and anti-orthodox agenda of the New York based newspaper National Herald, well known for the anti-monastic and extreme views of its theological section is what propagated this most sacrilegious and impious action. During the Christmas season (as most liberal newspapers spill out their anti-Christian venom to please their patron, Satan), the “theologians” of this Greek-American newspaper (most of its subscribers are Greek Orthodox) published a commentary by a Dr. John Collis a “distinguished physician and a former member of the Archdiocesan council” (God help us.), on the perils of contracting the H1N1 virus via the Eucharistic, or Common Cup.

His purely scientific, rationalistic, and secular views on this most central and profound mystery of the Body of Christ, of the Orthodox Church, is characteristic of the higher echelon of the scientific community. Tragically, that commentary sowed a great many seeds of doubt in the already darkened minds of the readers of this very popular newspaper.

The tares that he sowed (Matt.13:25) this past Christmas season in the minds of “these little ones for whom Christ died”, did not take long to sprout and grow according to the audacious testimony of a Theodore Corsones who seems to be quite proud of the innovationist spirit of his parish priest. I hereby include the contents of his entire letter to the editor of the National Herald issued 2/20-26/2010.

RUTLAND, VERMONT CHURCH PROVIDES PLASTIC SPOON
To the Editor:

In response to the article written by John Collis, M.D., this is to inform you of the procedure in use this winter at our Greek Orthodox Church in Rutland, Vermont (St. Nicholas Orthodox Church).

The priest instructs the parishioners who prefer to use individual plastic spoons to be first in line. Then, as each one of them approaches, an altar server provides a plastic spoon and the priest administers hold communion (???) to each of then with a plastic spoon. Each spoon that is used is discarded!!! How!!! Where!!! [Emphasis is mine].

Then, those that wish to receive Holy Communion with the common spoon do so immediately afterwards. It works very well and all are pleased with this procedure.

During this winter season, most parishioners are using individual plastic spoons.
Theodore Corsones
Rutland, Vermont

I tried to refrain from any further comments on this travesty but I cannot resist enumerating some of my personal questions on this matter:

1. Did the parish priest receive a blessing from his Metropolitan Methodios?
2. Is he still using the Divine Liturgy of St. John the Chrysostom/Basil?
3. Does he still summon the communicants to draw near with: Fear, Faith and Love? What for?

The fear of God does not exist: It has been replaced by the fear of H1N1!

The faith in this awesome mystery has evaporated. Those scandalized by the Herald and Dr. Collins no longer believe that what they partake is the very Body and Blood of our Creator but a possible disease agent!

The Love for God, which is the first and foremost of the Christian commandments, has been superimposed by self-love, which according to the Fathers is the main source of many evil passions.

In closing I humbly suggest that the Metropolitan of the Holy Diocese of Boston should consider spending less time organizing dialogues and pilgrimages to the Vatican with his Papist friend Archbishop O’Malley, because it sends the wrong signal to his priests and confuses the weak members of the only Church of Christ – the Orthodox Church. More time needs to be spent to immunize the flock with the antibodies of traditional orthodox spirituality so they can once again worship our Lord with fear, faith and love.

For more information please refer to two of our past homilies: Communicable Diseases and the Common Cup. They can be found under the Question and Answer category #8 and #9 and can be downloaded (at no charge) from www.Philokalia.org.

Asking your ardent prayers to have this great temptation expunged from His Holy Church, and to grant forgiveness to His sinful servant Constantine.

**EDITOR’S NOTE: Please read this excellent post, entitled Poly-phenols and Not-So-Poly Faith, on the blog Orthodox Quiet Revolution.

Black Bean Burgers

Posted on by Fr. Peter
This is an adaption from the recipe in the book “When you fast…”

1 15.5 oz can of Black Beans
1/4 cup finely chapped onion
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Drain and rinse the beans. Drain again. Mash beans well with fork or potato masher. Mix in remaining ingredients. Form into 4 burgers. Place burgers on preheated grill or in a preheated broiler and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Serve on buns or in pita bread with choice of oil-free condiments.

Serves 4

18 February ~ St Colman

Posted on by Fr. Peter
Founder of the Abbey and Diocese of Mayo, born in Connacht, c. 605; died 8 August, 676. He became a monk of Iona, and so famous were his virtues and learning, as testified by St. Bede, that on the death of St. Finan, in 661, he was appointed Bishop of Lindisfarne. During his brief episcopacy, the Synod of Whitby was held, in 664, as a result of which (St. Colman being a determined protagonist of the old Irish computation), owing to the decision of King Oswy on the Paschal controversy, he resigned his see. Between the years 665 and 667 St. Colman founded several churches in Scotland, and, at length, accompanied by thirty disciples, sailed for Ireland, settling down at Innisboffin, County Mayo, in 668. Less than three years later he erected an abbey, exclusively for the English monks in Mayo, subsequently known as “Mayo of the Saxons”. His last days were spent on the island of Innisboffin.

Orthodox and Fasting

Posted on by Fr. Peter
This time of year I get many questions on fasting and the Orthodox Tradition. I try and answer these questions as best I can and remind people that it is not that we adhere to the letter of the law but to the Spirit of the law.

I am reminded time and again that the full fasting laws of the church were designed by monastics for monastics and at some point in history they were adopted by parishes in the whole and I find it very difficult for “regular” people if you will to adhere to the strict fast. I think there is much guilt in people if they cannot follow all of the rules.

Fr. Ted Bobosh has a great post today on the nature of fasting. I would suggest you read and re-read his words as they shed much light on the fast.

Remember it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person but what comes out!

Sunday of Forgiveness

Posted on by Fr. Peter
This past Sunday in the Orthodox Church was the Sunday of Forgiveness. Also on this Sunday we remember or commemorate if you will the expulsion of Adam from Paradise.

We are reminded that humanities sin has deprived us of the blessed life with God and our existence on earth is in exile. It is Christ our Savior who opens the door of paradise to all who follow Him.

In our parish here it is the custom at the end of the Divine Liturgy for all the faithful to come forward and ask and receive forgiveness from all assembled. This way we begin Great Lent with a clean slate if you will.

Below is a link to the sermon I preach on the Sunday of Forgiveness.

Give me tears, Lord, as you did once to the sinful woman; make me worthy to wet your feet, which freed me from the way of error and to offer you as a fragrant ointment, a pure life built in me through repentance; so that I may also hear your cherished words: “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” Great Compline

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