One of my least favourite aspects of how Western Christianity has kept Lent is its tendency to act as though we don’t know how the story ends, as though remembering the Resurrection somehow inhibits the spirit of penitence. This stands in contrast to how Lent has been kept in the East, which keeps the Resurrection … Continue reading The Temple of the Body: A Reflection on John 2.13-22 and Amma Theodora 10
If there is anything that has united our culture over the past couple decades, it’s the love of a good controversy. Of course, we’re very divided about the controversies themselves, but there can be no doubt that we live in a click-bait culture, and nothing drives the clicking instinct like finding a way to make … Continue reading On the Spirit of Controversy: A Reflection on Abba Matoes 11-13
Today‘s reflection is a bit of a bridge in this series on the Sayings of the Desert, from themes revolving around sacred practices and spiritual disciplines to themes revolving around interpersonal relationships. In our minds, these don’t seem to be closely connected, but if the whole point of the disciplines is to train our hearts … Continue reading The Other Meat: A Reflection on Abba Hyperechius 4
I once heard a grade one teacher talk about how her class had got into the habit of complaining about their reading lessons. (And in their defense, learning how to read English is no easy feat.) One day, trying to get them to change their attitudes, she, in that way only early primary educators can, … Continue reading On Joy in Work: Abba Apollo 1
A story in which the Desert path doesn't come off as well as it normally does.
Matthew Root 