Our modern world seems to run on violence. And it seems that everyday the news is of more violence there and more violence here. From college campuses arguing over speech and "safe zones" and "trigger warnings" to the very real violence of terrorism all meant to disrupt and destroy. And can we even talk about…
Fr. Barnabas Powell
Are you the jealous type? I guess with me, it all depends. I am jealous of my time. I am jealous of my schedule. But other than that, I can't say I really struggle with jealousy.
Oh wait, if I'm honest, I do have to admit I do get jealous when someone is being recognized for…
The myth of Narcissus is legendary. Narcissus was a man who was exceptionally handsome and knew it. And his actions reflected his utter disdain for those who loved him. He walked through life proud of his appearance and dismissive of those who admired him. Nemesis watched Narcissus and how he treated those around him and…
"You're making a spectacle of yourself!" I remember when I first heard those words from a relative. You see, I'd just discovered that I could make people laugh, and I remember feeling the thrill at that ability. So, I started being a clown all the time. But an uncle, watching me carry on as a…
The whole notion of a high priest is so foreign to we egalitarian Americans and moderns. We are centuries removed from a time when hierarchy and royalty were the norm. But it's helpful to remember that, for the vast majority of Christians who have ever lived, the notion of a hierarchy and even monarchy was…
Socrates sees the wisdom in living a wakeful life when he says "The unexamining life is not worth living for a human being." Notice the continual action implied in the original. This wisdom, planted in we humans by our loving Creator, is simply obvious but continually difficult.
Our experiences, relationships, choices, priorities, and beliefs are shaped…
I was a nervous wreck! A 15 year old teenager with his best buddies were sneaking into a movie theater without paying! I can hear the voice of my mother in my head "Young man, you carry your family name. That should make you think twice about doing things you know you shouldn't!"
We didn't get…
I've heard this so many times: Why can't I find love? What's wrong with me? The expectations of some fairy tale notions wound us and wound our children. And that, dearest, is precisely the evil one's intentions. Because the end result of these fantasies is the depressing lie that there is no such thing as…
"Early is on time. On Time is late. Late is unacceptable!" These were my words, but they were coming out of my daughter's mouth! She was giving a friend of her's a hard time about being late to dance practice. We don't "do" "Greek time" or "Country time" or any other ethnic excuse for being…
Well, the truth is I was worried (OK, actually worried and scared). I had never faced anything like this before and all I had ever heard was this situation was serious. And it was. But as I stood there waiting to face the music I so dreaded, I noticed something. My anxiety and fear were…