Gladsome Light Dialogues - An Orthodox Blog » Christ in the Bible

Dancing with Leppers

Fr. Vasile — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:21:57 +0000

As a follow up on my last post regarding the 10 lepers found this article on another blog and it moved me to tears. How many things like a simple human touch we take for granted...I also understand more how absurd was for the 9 ungrateful lepers not to come and thank Christ for their healing. Here are some excerpts from an excellent post by Jimmy McCarty about his experience in a leper colony in India: I shook hands or hugged nearly every leper there. It was so important that they were touched, and that they knew we cared for them enough to break social stigma and touch them. Ever since that moment I do not read Continue reading

Running our lives in circles

Fr. Vasile — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:24:54 +0000

The miracle of healing of the ten lepers, is generally perceived as an exposition of the importance of gratitude in our lives. There is however another aspect I would like to stress today. The essential piece for its understanding lays in Christ’s words addressed to the cured Samaritan returning to offer his gratitude for the healing: And He said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole” (Luke 17:19) The other nine, ungrateful, lepers did not hear the same words, save a bitter reproof from Christ. They were not called “whole”, like the Samaritan, because they lacked a crucial virtue the Samaritan exhibited: faith. Without faith, which is recognizing and trusting the power of Continue reading

War and Peace in the teachings of Christ

Fr. Vasile — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:03:57 +0000

I’ve often seen people reacting strongly to a certain message delivered from the pulpit. Some identify themselves with the circumstances brought into discussion in the sermon and feel exposed, as if the priest purposely reveals their secret to the entire congregation. Others respond negatively to any message that is delivered in a more compelling and direct way, feeling personally attacked and hurt by the less subtle preacher. This is not necessarily the fault of the priest nor of the people. We are the product of a society that lives and breathes political correctness, where all religious are considered equal and the truth is relative. A powerful message is perceived therefore as too strong because is often compared with the Continue reading

The dividing wall of hostility – Theophany of our Lord

Fr. Vasile — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:05:29 +0000

Reading yesterday a Romanian Akathist Hymn dedicated to Epiphany (You can read it here in Romanian) I was moved by the following verse “Glory to you cause with Your body You broke down the dividing wall of hostility, so even us, who are far of upon the sea, will get closer to you. “ Doing a bit of biblical digging I found the corresponding scriptural context “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Eph 2:13-14) From another source I found out that Continue reading

Frightened by Confession Part 2 – Overcoming Shame

Fr. Vasile — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:50:26 +0000

On a bench besides John, Mary is also deep in thought. “Hmm… I think I start understanding why I should go to Confession. But what do I say when I get there? I know I’ve done some things that I am not proud of, but here is a scary thought: how can I tell all this to another person, especially a man? He’s going to judge me and probably will never look at me with the same eyes again. Plus, how do I know he’s not going to tell anyone? I don’t think I could overcome this shame.”

Shame is a common feeling for anyone that prepares for Confession, especially at the beginning. It is

The Apocalypse: In the Teachings of Ancient Christianity

Fr. Vasile — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:19:30 +0000

To follow up on our discussion about the end of days here is an interesting book that looks at the book of Revelations from an Orthodox perspective. This verse by verse commentary, a translation of an Russian original by Seraphim Rose, is a based on the commentary by St. Andrew of Caesarea. Continue reading

Who stole Christmas? – A consumerist Nativity story

Fr. Vasile — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:45:52 +0000

From time to time even a benign shopping session at Walmart can give you insight on the status of our society today. The other night, as part of pre-Christmas preparation, I was looking for a copy of the recent Hollywood movie "The Nativity story". After scouting for a while with no avail in the helter-skelter of the multi-media proposals, I... Continue reading

The Perfect Gift for Christmas

Fr. Vasile — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:57:04 +0000

Please take a look at these two wonderful books by Niko Chocheli. Mr. Choceli was born in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia, where he graduated with honors from Tbilisi Nikoladze Art College and Tbilisi State Academy of Fine Arts. Awarded permanent residency status by the U.S. government as Alien of Extraordinary Abilities, Niko has received numerous awards for is artistic achievements. He has illustrated three other children's books for SVS Continue reading

Why did the People of Israel Crucified Christ?

Fr. Vasile — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:00:18 +0000

Here is an interesting topic that I would like you engaged in as we approach Nativity. If Christ, the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament, and the people of Israel knew these prophecies, how come that when He actually came they rather said: Crucify Him? Here is a stichera from Holy Friday Continue reading

The true Christmas spirit or Putting back Christ into Xmas

Fr. Vasile — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:27:33 +0000

For a first comer in an Orthodox Church the thing that strikes the most is the richness of traditions that abound in the life of the faithful. It seems that we have a tradition for everything: the way we light the candles, the way we venerate the icons, the way we cross ourselves and so on. All conforms to some unwritten rules that are puzzling and difficult to follow Continue reading