tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.comments2022-04-15T05:48:23.260-07:00Rumblings from a Desert CaveFr. John McCuenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10094795943688215243noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-25062084291795728872009-12-28T05:10:14.356-07:002009-12-28T05:10:14.356-07:00Bless Father. It is so disturbing to see the many ...Bless Father. It is so disturbing to see the many that come to the doors of the temple, even inside the feast, yet do not partake of the Divine Mysteries. Oh, that they were compelled to share in His great blessing of Life eternal. But, alas, they either think themselves unworthy, of which none of us are, so it be a lame excuse; or they think it not necessary to partake of the King's supper, in which case it be a great insult to the King who has bid them partake; or they be filled, alas with misgivings. I cannot fathom it. Oh, that they were compelled!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-61189615554340381402009-12-15T21:38:26.466-07:002009-12-15T21:38:26.466-07:00I like your preaching, you are doing very good job...I like your preaching, you are doing very good job. Thank you so much!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00255679490026791356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-50052620624239512742009-10-27T14:31:08.113-07:002009-10-27T14:31:08.113-07:00"In the case of this icon, God has taken what..."In the case of this icon, God has taken what was flawed, and through it has worked, and is working, a miracle. This should give each one of us hope, for no matter how great our sins may be, if we repent of our sins, and confess them, and return to our Orthodox way of life, making ourselves offerings to God, who knows what God may accomplish in and through us?"<br /><br />Oh, this is *beautiful,* Father. Thank you for putting it like this! I'm putting your post in my Clippings folder on Bloglines.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-28239815995368741262009-10-05T15:27:01.563-07:002009-10-05T15:27:01.563-07:00lol, not very bold at all!! I'd be afraid of ...lol, not very bold at all!! I'd be afraid of getting my lights punched out!<br /><br />Still, it's a thought. I guess if we saw each other there often enough... Hmmm...<br /><br />I'm like the Catholic Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, whose husband disapproved of her giving bread to the poor. Once when she was on her way out with an apron full of bread, he stopped her and asked what was in her apron. She lost her nerve and said, "Roses." When she opened her apron at his demand -- roses it was! (With my luck, not only would it be bread, it would have turned into *gourmet* bread...)Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-40257965035083878942009-10-05T11:57:10.733-07:002009-10-05T11:57:10.733-07:00How bold are you?
(By the way, having supersized ...How bold are you?<br /><br />(By the way, having supersized myself, I can relate to your situation vis-a-vis the gym...) Oh, and your avatar rocks!<br /><br />Now, back to the prostration question: How bold are you? Because the prostration-like exercise you've described gives you an opportunity to approach this person, perhaps by asking the question, "Are you an Orthodox Christian?" Then when you get a bewildered look in reply, you can connect the exercise she is doing to making prostrations as a part of our spiritual lives -- and who knows where the conversation will go then? If she is seeking spiritual growth as well as physical improvement, you might be of help to her in finding the blessing of the life of faith!<br /><br />Well, however it works out, may God bless you!Fr. John McCuenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10094795943688215243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-36967935423487743292009-10-05T03:08:49.146-07:002009-10-05T03:08:49.146-07:00"He is calling to our attention the inherent ..."He is calling to our attention the inherent tendency in our fallen state to seek to live in this earthly life for as long as possible, even at the cost of life without end in His Kingdom."<br /><br />Being of rather ample proportions, I have begun working out at a local gym. One of the most fascinating sights I have seen there is of a young woman who grasps two pulleys with weights on them, one in either hand, kneels on the floor, and prostrates herself while pulling the pulleys towards her. I can never watch this act of "worship of the body" without wondering what would happen if I were to suggest to her that she prostrate herself in such a way before the Throne of God. Care to speculate??Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-76737230645000405452009-09-27T06:20:03.508-07:002009-09-27T06:20:03.508-07:00It is not my intention to attack anyone; and I am ...It is not my intention to attack anyone; and I am not certain how, exactly, you have interpreted what I said as either an attack on anyone, or a defense of the policies of President Obama, or as a defense of Marxism or communism. I most certainly did mean to attack racism as an evil that has no place in the heart, mind, or life of anyone who professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.<br /><br />As a general rule, I stay away from political discussions in the church, including in the sermons I preach. I do not, from the pulpit, either endorse or oppose any candidate whatsoever; nor do I take a position on questions of the day while teaching the Orthodox faith in the context of the worship of the Church. If I feel the need to be outspoken on an issue, I have a separate blog for that purpose (<a href="http://www.eviljuan.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Observations from an Empty Well</a>); or, rarely, in conversations at the meal following the Divine Liturgy. I believe that anyone who knows me would say that there is no way that I can be portrayed as defending Marxism or communism in any way at all.Fr. John McCuenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10094795943688215243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-25282388525009882582009-09-26T21:25:59.730-07:002009-09-26T21:25:59.730-07:00I can't believe a priest in the ROCOR would be...I can't believe a priest in the ROCOR would be attacking the critics of Obama. As the sordid record shows, Barack Hussein Obama is a man who has been surrounded and mentored by Marxists and America-haters all of his life. You can't possibly be oblivious to the millions of Orthodox Christians who were brutally murdered by the communists? How can any member of the ROCOR defend the modern heir of bolshevism? I just don't get it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-30408214636590063272009-08-24T08:13:35.800-07:002009-08-24T08:13:35.800-07:00Father bless,
Thank you for posting your sermon. ...Father bless,<br /><br />Thank you for posting your sermon. I find them most edifying especially when our family can not make the trip to Phoenix on Sunday. I know it must be a lot of work to type these out and post them on this blog every week, but it is much appreciated.<br /><br />Michael - The Servant of GodMichael Lilliehttp://traditionalorthodoxy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-72044556895508698752009-08-24T06:37:24.344-07:002009-08-24T06:37:24.344-07:00I flew this idea past my priest, who said it was p...I flew this idea past my priest, who said it was probably pretty accurate: I think the Last Judgement will consist of God with an icon in one hand and a mirror in the other. The icon is of us -- you, me, whoever -- the way He conceived of us when He created us, and the mirror is, of course, our reflection as we look at the time of our death. *We* get to say how closely the image in the mirror resembles the icon, but this being God, we can't lie. So some of us will say, "Holy cow, does that look like me or *what*?!" and some of us will say, "Who the heck is that?!"<br /><br />So who do you look like? I hope that at the time of our death, we will each look like the person God had in mind at the very beginning.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-27661718720783205322009-08-16T12:35:00.469-07:002009-08-16T12:35:00.469-07:00Father John,
We greatly value your sermons. Makin...Father John,<br />We greatly value your sermons. Making these available to us on-line is an effort we appreciate. Being frequently homebound, having access to your sermons has provided much food for thought, excellent instruction, and connection to the Church. Thank you!<br />Kissing your right hand,<br />Jahaske FamilyVictoriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18251243136782298385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-46390508342615558852009-06-29T12:18:43.353-07:002009-06-29T12:18:43.353-07:00Thank you for this, Father. Amos was my own fathe...Thank you for this, Father. Amos was my own father's name -- I never knew him, as he died when I was two, but I always think of him on June 15. Nice to have this extra bit of background on the Prophet.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-57679810213972541742009-06-24T15:06:41.133-07:002009-06-24T15:06:41.133-07:00I really like this. I often struggle with the thou...I really like this. I often struggle with the thought of wanting to be like the saints, but feeling like I'd never,ever get there. With my weak faith it seems such a hopeless possibility. But I never thought about already being a saint, being consecrated to serve God. What a humbling thought! May God help and strengthen me to do my part and forgive me for constantly failing.Ninahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05797690091385537628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-83994504111669569262009-05-22T18:39:29.689-07:002009-05-22T18:39:29.689-07:00I got to say some of the Horologion prayers during...I got to say some of the Horologion prayers during the week of the Paralytic, and was struck with the one where Christ says, "For thee I became a man, for thee I took on flesh, and sayest thou, 'I have no man to put me into the pool?'" For *me* He became a man, for *me* He took on flesh -- how can I possibly say I have no one to help me in my spiritual struggles?! WOW.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-68860473003889589252006-12-06T16:10:00.000-07:002006-12-06T16:10:00.000-07:00Father Bless--
You're read inbetween classes up he...Father Bless--<br />You're read inbetween classes up here in SF =) Your sermons are always very insightful and thought provoking, and especially appreciated when the great majority of sermons I hear up here, I don't understand. Thank you for keeping your blog up!<br />EdwardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1163615062006305462006-11-15T11:24:00.000-07:002006-11-15T11:24:00.000-07:00Wonderful sermon! I pray that we may all live in,...Wonderful sermon! I pray that we may all live in, and never underestimate, the power of the Cross.<BR/><BR/>Ryan,KSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1160880535505255182006-10-14T19:48:00.000-07:002006-10-14T19:48:00.000-07:00Fr. I've enjoyed your sermons. Really helpful if ...Fr. I've enjoyed your sermons. Really helpful if I am browsing for a kick start to my own mental block when it comes time for writing mine. Keep it up. you are blessed and your words are simple and practical. God bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1160432461025893862006-10-09T15:21:00.000-07:002006-10-09T15:21:00.000-07:00Within the *power* of our Lord? Definitely. With...Within the *power* of our Lord? Definitely. Within His *desire*? That I don't dare to rely on. God does what He wants, and in the end, if I have sinned so often that He desires not to have me in His presence, there's not too much I can do about that, is there?Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1159867040685750462006-10-03T02:17:00.000-07:002006-10-03T02:17:00.000-07:00You know what I find the worst cross is, in my cur...You know what I find the worst cross is, in my current situation? When you are so wrapped up in your physical condition that there's little or no opportunity for spiritual growth (at least, nothing that looks or feels like spiritual growth!). For six weeks after my hysterectomy I couldn't even read my regular prayers; and with all the complications, I've been to the doctors' more often than I've been to church. Feels like my entire life has been turned upside down, literally, since I've never missed on Sunday before and usually get to all the weekday liturgies, too.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1153176153843874162006-07-17T15:42:00.000-07:002006-07-17T15:42:00.000-07:00Ever since reading about the necessity for spiritu...Ever since reading about the necessity for spiritual warfare, fasting has made so much more sense to me, since I can put it into the context of the basic training my husband and brothers went through during their military service. "Athletic contest" doesn't do a thing for me, but military service -- you're talking my language.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1153176064664881062006-07-17T15:41:00.000-07:002006-07-17T15:41:00.000-07:00What strikes me about the Holy Royal Martyrs is th...What strikes me about the Holy Royal Martyrs is that they were so kind to their captors that the guard had to be changed every few months -- they kept winning them over! And, some 50 years after their deaths, they even won over Robert K. Massie, who wrote "Nicholas and Alexandra," one of the most sympathetic biographies I have ever read by a person who shared neither their faith nor their culture. When you think of all the Bolshevik propaganda he had to clear out of his head to write the bio he did, it says a great deal about the kinds of lies that were told about these people, and continue to be told.<BR/><BR/>OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. But this family is among my favorite saints. And yes, I wish I could be a fraction as patient as they were.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1150043279442930652006-06-11T09:27:00.000-07:002006-06-11T09:27:00.000-07:00Father bless, thank you - that was a helpful and t...Father bless, <BR/><BR/>thank you - that was a helpful and thought inspiring read.Legacy Userhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15617089568606565525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1147163940204897982006-05-09T01:39:00.000-07:002006-05-09T01:39:00.000-07:00To be honest, Father, I've begun to wonder about t...To be honest, Father, I've begun to wonder about the efficacy of Christian witness: With so many wing-nut "Christians" out there -- and I do appreciate that they are sincere in wanting to Save Souls -- I fear that even something as simple as "Christ is risen!" will automatically turn people away. I would love to see you write a sermon that addresses that kind of thing. (That *is* a sincere request.)Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1145995465677197052006-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:002006-04-25T13:04:00.000-07:00I think of all the days surrounding the Feast of F...I think of all the days surrounding the Feast of Feasts, Holy Saturday is my favorite. I love the icon, The Harrowing of Hades.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10538925473636719361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8403544.post-1145913416578851322006-04-24T14:16:00.000-07:002006-04-24T14:16:00.000-07:00As one who has spent most of my life in what you t...As one who has spent most of my life in what you termed a "protestant" church, thank you for clarifying the icon debate. I have recently contacted you on behalf of a student that will be in our home from Russia. I will look forward to your sermons to learn more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com