Spirituality

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Well, we are closing in on the Christian Holy Week, beginning this year on April 2^nd with Passion (or “Palm”) Sunday, and to end that week in remembrance and celebration of the most pivotal events of the Christian year—the passion, death and then resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth two-ish millennia ago.

Remembrance of those events cannot but elicit memories of our losses of loved ones often suddenly and without notice. Whether by accident, crime or by a mechanical failure within the body by embolism or aneurism or some undiagnosed malady, few sorrows strike us so deeply. Even Read More

Clergy from left, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Assistant Rector Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Courtesy photo

By The Rev. Nicolé Raddu Ferry
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Los Alamos

And all shall be well.

Those of you reading this article have learned that we are in the midst of something. Yup we moved our clocks ahead one hour. Anyone still tired? Families of school children are thinking “will we make it to Spring Break?” The calendar says that Spring has arrived and yet although we are ready to not wear our coats and hats the little snow squalls we have experienced Read More

Inside Trailer Chapel. Courtesy/Father Theophan

By Father Theophan
Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church
Los Alamos

As we pass the middle point of the Great Fast, Lent in western parlance, the question often arises from friends not often seen, “So what are you giving up for Lent?” It’s met with a myriad of answers: red meat, chocolate, sweets, movies, etc.

Orthodox Christians don’t ask. Firstly, because fasting is a personal matter, one that should not be judged by another, and secondly, the rules for the Great Fast are ubiquitous in the eastern faith.

Simply, we’re instructed to become vegan, Read More

Hand-made matzah, eaten during the Passover seder and throughout the week of the holiday. Courtesy/Rabbi Shlachter

By RABBI JACK SHLACHTER
Los Alamos Jewish Center

The eight-day holiday of Passover is the most widely celebrated holiday on the Jewish calendar.  

This year, Passover begins Wednesday evening, April 5. Passover commemorates the release of the Jewish people from slavery thousands of years ago, though the historical accuracy of the Exodus is questionable. Nevertheless, Passover constitutes an annual opportunity for Jews to journey out of their inner mitzraim (narrowness) Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

It’s not uncommon these days to see speakers at universities and other venues shouted down so that they can’t be heard or, “better yet”, to cancel their appearances. Nowadays we even have some calling for the repeal of the first amendment which allows free speech, or that speech should somehow be censured. Talk about a slippery slope!

Hmmm … maybe I’ll start demanding that only Christian views and ideas and practices be allowed. After all, since others don’t fit my plan and agenda, they must be silenced … forcibly if necessary. Or, I’ll burn their places of gathering, de facto Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Have you ever thought about the types of books and movies that you like, and why you like them? We just luuuuuv stories of proverbial ugly ducklings becoming beautiful swans, no more so than when reforming his ways from selfishness to doing good. Or, one who is usually self-absorbed, having witnessed the last straw he could stand of injustice or desperation, finally surrendering to conscience and to the good long buried inside him despite danger or challenge. Who has not been edified by stories of the downtrodden who rise through herculean efforts to become a great philanthropist Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Who among us has never done something they regretted almost immediately. “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time” is frequently heard, but many times it’s an excuse to justify an action taken when we should have—or actually did—know better.

Now, one need not be a believer in the divine to be able to glean wisdom from religious texts—products of thousands of years of human experience, trial and mistrial. Such is the story of Creation in the first book of the Bible: Genesis.

The books of the Bible are written in different styles—poetry, history, prophecy, etc. Many—likely Read More