In which the pre-Lenten Gospel readings continue reminding us, “Do not judge,” and “Fasting does not save you,” while presenting the prodigal son as an example of the role that fasting and discernment can play in our salvation.

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself…”

… Read on

What St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom (and the Canaanite woman) have to teach us about the art of communication

The spiritual disciplines the rich young ruler sought were already embedded in the Law; our Lord simply clarified and amplified his calling for him, customizing it to address his deepest spiritual need.

An argument could be made that I’m actually arguing for a more thoroughly binary understanding of gender here, just increasing the complexity of the application of that binary in orders of magnitude measured in powers of two.

Our Lord’s parable of the Good Samaritan tells us exactly what we need to do to live in such a way as to experience and inherit eternal life.

A Christian understanding of and approach to fear, focussing on the Gospel (the “pigs” again!) and the saint (Hieromartyr John Kochurov) of the day