Elizabeth’s ecumenical explorations

  On Sunday, I was able to resume my ecumenical explorations, as I was not preaching anywhere.  I was hoping to attend an Orthodox service, and attended the Antiochian Orthodox cathedral, which is not far from where I live. I had a lot of choices: Ukrainian, Russian, Greek, Ethiopian... Just like Protestantism, the Orthodox family tree has many branches. It was like stepping into another world. The smell of incense, the colourful icons painted on the ceiling, the sound of the cantor and choir chanting the liturgy, the robes of the leaders, the symbols carried up and down the aisle, English and Arabic woven together throughout the service. It was a service that nourished all five senses. I had to leave before communion, but I attended once before several years ago. Only about a half of the congregation went up to receive, but the two women from my pew who went forward brought back bread to share with the rest of us (it was pre-covid!) I later learned that it is tradition to fas...

  Scripture:          Luke 13:31-35 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”   32  He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, [ c ]   ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.   33  Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’   34  Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!   35  See, your house is left to you. [ d ]   And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when [ e ]   you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”   Meditation:   ...

  Scripture Reading:    Luke 4:1-13    Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,   2  where for forty days he was tested by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over he was famished.   3  The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”   4  Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’ ” 5  Then the devil [ a ]   led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.   6  And the devil [ b ]   said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.   7  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”   8  Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God,      and serve only him.’ ” 9...

 Luke 9:28–36 8  Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus [ a ]   took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.   29  And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.   30  Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.   31  They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.   32  Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.   33  Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying.   34  While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.   35...