OrthoAnalytika

Romans 15:1-7.  St. Paul didn't want Christians to let their pieties around food keep them from connecting with and evangelizing their neighbors.  We might not do this with food, but we are certainly tempted to do it with our national and ecclesial politics, among other things.  Today Fr. Anthony encourages us to meet people where they are, connect with them, and guide them to Christ.  Enjoy the show!

Today was the celebration of the Fourth Ecumenical Council, the Council that followed just twenty years after the Ecumenical Council at Ephesus; both councils clarified the proper way to understand and describe Jesus Christ being fully God and fully man.  In his remarks (not a classic homily), Fr. Anthony described the critical role humility plays in theological discernment and love.  Enjoy the show!

Romans 10:1-10; Matthew 8:28-9:1.  Today Fr. Anthony continues last week's theme of reclaiming the ungoverned places using the events at Gardenes as a case study of how societies - and our minds - often react (unfortunately, last week's was not recorded - Fr. Anthony plans on doing an extended version for both YouTube and this podcast).  Enjoy the show!

Today Fr. Anthony interviews Fr. David Randolph.  Fr. David converted to Orthodoxy from the Episcopal Church in the 90's.  He served as the pastor of Christ the Savior Antiochian Orthodox Church in Anderson SC from 1998 to his retirement in 2018.  He has a great love for prison ministry.  This is part of a series of interviews designed to share preserve and share the history of Christ the Savior parish.  

Romans 2:10-16; St. Matthew 4:18-23.  On our own, we make a mess.  We need solid leadership.  Today Fr. Anthony shares some wisdom from Mp. Saba and Bp. Nicholas.  Sdn. Scott thought the homily was a winner; "he got in Tolkien, the Simpsons, Blockbuster, and made serious Father's Day points!"  We've been having audio recording issues; today we are trying out a lapel microphone - let us know if it helps.  Enjoy the show!

Matthew 10:32-33,37-38; 19:27-30.  We are all called to be holy, but even after having united ourselves to Christ, it requires effort.  Our willpower is not enough - rituals (graceful habits) can help.  Today Fr. Anthony presents a sort of two by two table of rituals; secular vs. sacred and bee (enlightened attitude) vs. fly (worldly attitude).  It's a bit of a mess, but he was travel-weary and, bless his heart, he means well.  Enjoy the show!

Pentecost.  After offering a brief reflection on green as the color of Pentecost in the East, Fr. Anthony talks about how the Spirit's divinity allows us to do Church, marriage, and friendship in and toward blessed and joyful unity.  Enjoy the show!

John 17:1-13.  Sunday after Ascension, Commemorating the 318 Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea.  Today Fr. Anthony offers a reflection on the mystery of fellowship, noting that while that of the nation can point us toward something greater, only Christ can save.  He briefly describes how Christ created a new humanity for full fellowship through His Incarnation.  Note that he misused the word "essence" when he was describing the new shared humanity we have in Christ (he repents sincerely!).  Enjoy the show! 

St. John 9: 1-38.  Despite his preference for the theme of light and enlightenment, Fr. Anthony decided to preach some meat - maybe even some gristle, using the double baptism of spittle and pool.  His main point seems to have been that we really do need to learn how to submit ourselves to God and His Church.  While it is not recorded, he talked for a few minutes at the end of liturgy about practical cases of poor discernment and the resulting need for Church discipline.  Enjoy the show!

In this meditation on the Samaritan Woman (John 4:5-42), Fr. Anthony continues his series on mystagogy by talking about the wonder that there is such a thing as water and a glass to hold it, moves on from there to living water and chalices, and from there to seeing beauty even in our enemies.  If nothing else, it's interesting to hear what Fr. Anthony sounds like when he gets a decent night's sleep.  Enjoy the show!