Spirituality

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

I watched a very informative documentary on Netflix the other day that might be eye-opening to many: “The Social Dilemma”, in which former social media executives are interviewed about the tactics of those websites to draw people in, and to keep them hooked. Much of it is well known, but hearing it expressed and expanded upon by insiders really hits home.

Since social media became “a thing”, teen and pre-teen suicides have increased multifold. That very self-conscious age group is always seeking positive reinforcement, so readily measured (they think) by “likes”, “friends” Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Even at my age there are still certain comics I check every day; it gives a bit of relief from the daily grind and, anyway … how can you not like “Dilbert”?! Recently one comic’s characters were musing at a theme written in the heavens … implicitly indicating a divine source: “Be Nice to Each Other!” I couldn’t but note the irony because the comic’s creator often engages in sharp parody of various political figures. Well, it WAS a Sunday comic.

It’s hard to be TOO tough on the guy, though, because likely almost all of us fall into that trap at times, whether one call it duplicity, Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Watched a good movie the other day called “The Guardian” about Coast Guard rescue swimmers. It was good to see it, because the poor “Coasties” get really short-changed on recognition despite having some of the most active and dangerous missions. Not part of the Dept. of Defense (it’s actually of the Dept. of Transportation), they don’t get to dip into the big bucks budgeted for the military. But when you need ‘em, you really need ‘em … so hats off to all you Coasties out there.

Now the U.S. Coast Guard motto is Semper Paratus—“Always Ready”—not to be confused with the Marines’ motto Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Do you ever wonder how future generations will look back at us and think: “Wow. They were so rudimentary in their knowledge. How could they have thought that?” We sort of balk at that idea, thinking that our own knowledge—essentially meaning “we ourselves”—is so great that it cannot be exceeded.

But who hasn’t read history and wasn’t amazed at what was once considered truth, such as that bathing was unhealthy, sickness was caused by noxious vapors, the effect of this or that heavenly event, etc. The people of that time likely made the best conclusion they could with their limited Read More

Clay cup and bowls created by Father Theophan. Photo by Father Theophan

By Father Theophan
Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church
Los Alamos

Clay is a humble material. It can be found naturally almost anywhere there is running water. It’s not all useful right out of the ground, but most of it can be useful with a little care and some additives.

I used to defend myself and my medium, “Clay is not dirt!”

But to be fair, although not topsoil nor organic, it isn’t very different from sand. Particle size and shape are the defining factors. Clay is much finer than sand. When dried and powdered, it feels like talcum Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Have you ever wondered why supermarket celebrity “gossip rags” are so popular? And nowadays, so many even of news websites pepper their pages with those types of articles and teasers so that people will click links and thus increase advertising rates and revenue for site originators. You know the ones—this or that adulterous scandal … some starlet “sizzling” in a bikini or other scanty clothing, etc.

But a very curious thing are the well-publicized tantrums that rich and famous have when things don’t go exactly their way. You’d think that in their apparently-privileged lives Read More

By Fr. Glenn Jones:

Harry Potter fans will likely remember—not too fondly—Dudley, Harry’s spoiled cousin whose taunting Harry was forced to endure. And yet …  Dudley’s obnoxious entitled attitude is not so uncommon these days.

For instance, it’s not infrequent that people come to priests and ministers with the same plaint directed at Jesus: “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” (Luke 12:13) Sorry, dude (my phrase; not Jesus’); if that other person isn’t doing right, his conscience is not going to be suddenly shocked into doing so. Anyway … how do I know that you’re Read More