You can easily begin a deep theological and liturgical debate across ecumenical lines with one simple question: how should the Celebrant be oriented in the Eucharist? Maybe it’s based on the fact that I am an Anglican, but this simple question has churned up many strong feelings and convictions. My main goal, here, is to provide some fodder for thinking about our Eucharistic orientation. Perhaps we (those who are the inheritors of the Reformation(s)) have gotten it wrong… For... Read more
A friend recently shared that a young woman in his parish explained that she hates the Creed. He subsequently requested that something be written about the importance of teaching the Creed(s) to young people. There are likely to be many, many articles, books, and blog posts on the topic but here’s my attempt at an answer: As part of the liturgy every Sunday, the assembled Church proclaims the words of the Nicene Creed (or Apostles’ Creed if connected with the... Read more
It is quite fortuitous, for me, that I have been able to preach on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday this Lent. It’s probably not so fortuitous for you that the A-Team called in the B-Team, but I’m grateful because these two services are two very important signposts in Redemption’s Journey. My word to you on Ash Wednesday was the before our cry could be “Hosanna (last Sunday),” “Crucify him (tomorrow),” or even “He is risen (this Sunday),” we must first... Read more
This post is part of an ongoing series entitled, “Sunday with Schmemann.” If you have not yet read some of Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s works you can begin with my inaugural post here. My first doctoral writing assignment focuses exclusively on Schmemann’s writing corpus and liturgical theology. It has been my practice over the last four years to journey through Lent with Fr. Schmemann as my wise guide via Great Lent: Journey to Pascha. This may seem ironic to some seeing... Read more
We celebrate the recent and historic meeting between Pope Francis and Kirll, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in Havana, Cuba (“the first in history” according to Point 1). It was in fact the first time that these two church leaders have meet since the Patriarchate of Moscow was claimed in 1448 and recognized in 1589-1593 (cf. Metropolitan Hiliarion’s convocation at SVOTS about primacy). Despite what some Facebook acquaintances have remarked—they desire to argue over dates and Moscow’s place in... Read more
I was blessed with the opportunity to preach at Church of the Apostles, Kansas City on Ash Wednesday. What a privilege to proclaim God’s word before my family and home parish. Thank you Ellis and Cynthia Brust for the invitation! The link to my sermon is right here. Here is a little excerpt from my written copy: At this point I would normally I would say that we cannot get to “Crucify him, crucify him!” on Good Friday without the... Read more
This piece was written by Dr. Bruce Morill of Vanderbilt University for another website. Dr. Morrill has granted me permission to post it here on my blog in its entirety. While much of what is contained below may be for a specifically Catholic audience, I do believe that the Second Vatican Council and all subsequent writings and reflections out to drive us to closer ecumenical efforts and study. Vatican II and the Liturgical Renewal Movement of the 20th century deserve... Read more
Introduction The question of Christ’s presence or location in the Eucharist is common among theologians and readers of theology. Is Christ really present in the sacrament? If so, how? Such debate has similarly been central to ecumenical dialogue: transubstantiation, consubstantiation, memorial feast, realpresence, and spiritual presence represent varying answers to the conundrum. Rather than disagreeing about the nature or form of elemental transformation or the spiritual aspects of the Eucharist, ecumenical dialogue should instead focus on affirming the presence of... Read more
Several weeks ago, I was privileged to contribute a piece as a guest to the Covenant blog of The Living Church. Many thanks to the blog’s managing editor, Zachary Guiliano for publishing this piece on the liturgical nature of time. You can read this article below or in its original format here. This post really covers two different topics. First, how does the Church tell time daily, weekly, and annually? This much should be obvious. Second, and perhaps more importantly,... Read more
This post is part of an ongoing series entitled, “Sunday with Schmemann.” If you have not yet read some of Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s works you can begin with my inaugural post here. My first doctoral writing assignment focuses exclusively on Schmemann’s writing corpus and liturgical theology. Today marks the 32nd anniversary of Fr. Schmemann’s “falling asleep.” May Fr. Schmemann rest in peace and rise in glory! Memory eternal! Fr. Schmemann wrote heavily on the theme of liturgical time. I made... Read more
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