Category: Uncategorized
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Blind Man Healed (Lent 4, 2023)
As Jesus and his disciples walked along, they saw a man blind from birth, prompting the disciples to ask, “Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents?” This may sound as though they were out for a leisurely walk, engaged in an academic discussion. But in the preceding chapter of John, we read about the…
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Samaritan Woman (Lent 3, 2023)
The Samaritan woman whom Jesus meets at the well has consistently made it onto every list of “the bad girls of the Bible” ever compiled. The usual interpretation paints a picture of a woman living on the outskirts of the society, so much so that she prefers to come to the well when all others…
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Covenants (Lent 2, 2023)
Did you know that the season of Lent is actually NOT about becoming as miserable as possible in anticipation of Good Friday? Historically, Lent was the time of baptismal preparation, when those new to the faith prepared for their initiation rites, those already in the church reaffirmed their commitment, and those who had strained relationships…
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The Temptation of Jesus (Lent 1, 2023)
Lent has begun for us, and tomorrow it will begin for the Orthodox church. Christians around the world will be giving up some daily comforts to mirror Jesus’ own fast that he undertook immediately following his baptism. What is potentially confusing, however, is that in 6 weeks, we will arrive with Jesus on Golgotha; whereas…
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Ash Wednesday 2023
In the early church, baptisms were often performed on the night before Easter. So what is now our Lent was, at the time, the final stage in spiritual formation of the newest believers in Christ. I suspect it was natural that those who prepared, supported and celebrated with the candidates, and eventually the entire communities…
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Transfiguration 2023
Today we read the story in which Jesus takes Peter, James, and John on a mountain climb. Once at the top, the disciples see a fantastical vision – we call it Transfiguration, a fancy word for a transformation into something more beautiful. Jesus’ body and clothing seem to glow with a supernatural light, they also…
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“I planted, Apollos watered”
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth”, wrote Paul to the congregation he had established in Corinth. Who was this Apollos? According to a few scriptural and early historical sources, he appears to have played a role in the early churches of Ephesus and Corinth alongside Paul. Yet, as a Hellenized Jew born…
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“You are the Light of the World”
We are nearing the end of the “bridge” season between Christmastide and Lent – the time when our readings tend to focus on life purpose, and feature the symbolism of light. Introduced on Christmas day with the prologue to John, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all”, the light shines…
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Presentation of the Lord
On Feb 2 – yes, Groundhog Day – we will observe the Presentation of the Lord, aka Purification of Mary, or in some languages – simply “the Meeting” (e.g., Sretenie). We also call it Candlemas, and bless the candles to use over the coming year, perhaps due to the reference to light we find in…
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St Timothy (Patronal Feast on Jan 26th or 22nd)
Today, we are remembering the namesake of our church, our patron saint Timothy. The limited extent of historical information we have about him is neatly summarized in two objects in our church: the stained glass window depicting his life (a gift from our first ever people’s warden!), and the carved lectern stand. The window shows…
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