liturgy

As long-time readers will know, I spent a number of years in the Eastern Orthodox Church. And while it was not sustainable for me to remain in that tradition, its liturgical, spiritual, and theological sensibilities shaped me significantly, and in many ways my heart still beats to its rhythms. One of its rituals I miss … Continue reading Personal Accountability, Universal Responsibility: The Rite of Forgiveness

Lent has traditionally been understood in terms of Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness. It’s no surprise then that this is the Gospel reading appointed for this first Sunday in Lent. But we tend not to think of that story as “Jesus’ Forty Day Fast," but as “The Temptation of Christ.” That is, … Continue reading Facing Temptation: A Reflection on Matthew 4.1-11

There’s a common refrain from religious ‘nones’ that goes something like “I encounter God more in the forest than I ever do in a church.” While such an attitude may miss the mark about what church is for, it captures the undeniable truth that we experience the Transcendent often and easily in nature. It’s a … Continue reading Everywhere Present and Filling All Things: ‘O Heavenly King’

One of the main criticisms of liturgical or common prayer is that it quickly becomes rote. As though if it’s read from a page, it can’t be from the heart; and if it’s not from the heart, it’s just the kind of vain repetition Jesus warned us against (Matthew 6.7). What this argument fails to … Continue reading Resetting the Narrative: The ‘Normal Beginning’

Yesterday, I introduced this year’s Lenten series, which will be daily reflections on famous or important liturgical prayers. As a general principle, I’ll be treating the season of Lent like a liturgical day, starting with the evening offices then going through the daytime services. But today I’m going to start with the quintessential Lenten prayer … Continue reading A Faith That Works: The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian