Ask the Priest

Some reflections on the previous Sunday's epistle readings and on bearing in our body the trauma of the Gospel.

A brief word on dealing with intrusive thoughts.

Why do we need to sorrow and grieve if we are already Christians? Is repentance authentic without grief and sorrow? What does all this have to do with fasting?

A reading from the remarkable book Wounded by lLove about Saint Porphyrios and a short reflection.

Why do we pray to the Mother of God and the Saints? Because the Church is not a bureaucracy or an institution but the family of God.

Encouragement to be a lifelong catechumen with a little sidenote on Holy Tradition.

A gentle warning before Pascha and Bright Week.

Discussion of the Lamentations of Holy Saturday.

A little reflection on today's Old Testament reading and the overthrow of Babel in order, ultimately, to create the Church.

Book Group discussion of the homily of Saint Gregory Palamas on the Cross for the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent

Discussion of a couple of chapters from the 50 Spiritual Homilies of Saint Macarius.

There is a hierarchy within each of us, and if we ignore it or turn it upside down we have problems.

A little encouragement to begin now to plan for Holy Week.

A different but related reading continuing from last week.

Some people get discouraged because they come to services and they don't understand exactly what's going on, they lose sight of the forest for the trees. Here's a little encouragement.

There's a lot of confusion about the Bible and the Tradition in the Orthodox Church,. I try to simply answer some of the questions around this.

A very short meditation about giving up on giving up.

If we come to the Orthodox Church we must be careful not to bring all of our old practices and habits with us.

Reading and discussion of Saint Romanos the Melodist kontakion on the Prodigal Son.

How do we obtain freedom from the passions? How do we overcome temptation? A personal reflection (and rambling) on essential spiritual matters.

Reading and discussion of a remarkable hymn of Saint Ephrem on the Eucharist.

Monday morning reflections after the Great Blessing of Waters, the joy of swimming for the Cross.

A few simple thoughts at the beginning of 2026.

Second and final week of reading and discussion of the Nativity homily of St Gregory Palamas.

It's a fair question. The answer is….

Week 1 discussion of St Gregory Palamas' homily on the Nativity of the Lord.

I'm not looking to pick a fight or unnecessarily criticize but I get asked this question quite a lot so I thought maybe a short direct statement might be helpful.

Some thoughts on awakening the soul to the love of God.

Talking and thinking about immigration, a hot topic today, from the standpoint of church history.

Week 1: Reading and discussion of the Sayings of Saint Anthony the Great

Week 2 discussion of St Ephrem on reading scripture.

Discussion of an article with numerous quotes from St Ephrem the Syrian on reading the scriptures.

A short reading and discussion of the beautiful words of Saint Porphyrios that there is no salvation outside the Church.

Discussion of Saint Ephrem the Syrian's hymn 10 from the Hymns of Faith on the eucharist.

We have to be perpetual catechumens, returning again and again to the the Cross.

A few brief thoughts on the possibility and hope of beginning to overcome our addiction to social media and the Internet in general.

Week 2 discussion of St John Of Damascus Oration on the Nativity of the Theotokos

A simple recording of the Prayers before Holy Communion, which includes the Canon and the prayer of Saint Basil.

Week 1 discussion of St John Of Damascus Oration on the Nativity of the Theotokos

Some good conversations following up on the homily yesterday on the parable of the unmerciful servant, so a few reflections on mercy and justice here.

Week 3 of Saint John Of Damascus on the Transfiguration

Week 2 of Saint John Of Damascus on the Transfiguration.

Week 1 of discussion of Saint John Of Damascus' Oration on Transfiguration

Discussion of the first homily of Saint Gregory Palamas on the Ascension.

We discussed two short readings from Saint Gregory of Nyssa on the Church in his commentary on the Song of Songs. At the end we got into a long discussion about salvation for those outside the Church following up on the Sunday homily.

Reading excerpts from St. John Chrysostom's homilies on the Eucharist.

A bit of a wide ranging discussion of Bright Week, St. Thomas Sunday, Luke and Cleopad on the road to Emmaus, the opening of the scriptures, and, finally, the Church as temple and Christ's Body and how that relates to keeping the commandments, etc.

A simple reflection in these bright and holy days.

Reading and discussion of the remarkable kontakion on the victory of the Cross of Saint Romanos the Melodist.

Book group discussion of Saint Ephrem the Syrian's remarkable poem on the sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. A timely discussion as we are in Holy Week and this story plays a central role, particularly early in Holy Week.