Necessity is a savage beast, With razor claws and bloodied teeth. Luxury is an opulent whore, With ruby lips and a revolving door. Poverty is a broken man, With tattered clothes and a pleading hand. Contentment is a pure child, With innocent eyes which the world reviled.
Month: July 2017
Dehumanized Humanism
Humanism is not by default a bad thing. There have been, in the past, positive humanists. This positive humanism sought to lift mankind up through higher principles, culture, and beauty. Most importantly, positive humanism never viewed humanity as the end-all. Humanity was striving towards something sublime, something that is greater than man. An excellent example …
Not your Grandma’s church?
Periodically I drive by a large Baptist church. Standing prominently at the side of the road is what seems to have become the “classic” church sign. There, various entertaining or sometimes perplexing little puns or statements amuse (or disturb) passers by. As I drove by today, the sign proudly proclaimed: “This is not the same …
Antichrist is a Nice Guy
In the person of the Antichrist resides the culmination of a whole spiritual trajectory of fallen humanity. He is the ultimate manifestation of mankind's desire to live without God. This desire is not strictly atheistic, that is, a complete and total rejection of the idea of God. The spirit of antichrist has long been at …
What Riches Have You?
by George Santayana What riches have you that you deem me poor, Or what large comfort that you call me sad? Tell me what makes you so exceedingly glad: Is your earth happy or your heaven sure? I hope for heaven, since the stars endure And bring such tidings as our fathers had. I …
The Good
Edmund Burke, an Irish born classical political thinker of the late Seventeen and early Eighteen hundreds, coined the oft-quoted phrase: “the only thing needed for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I am an Orthodox Christian. The Good is objective reality. It is not subjective. In fact, it is better …
What happened to St. John Maximovich?
I have this question every year. I am a priest in the OCA (Orthodox Church in America). Why does it seem that we are deemphasizing St. John Maximovich? His feast falls on June 19th / July 2nd. Every year I look forward to celebrating this incredible saint. I am setting up the services for the …
