Both Lungs

by Brent Kostyniuk We give You thanks, O invisible King, for by Your infinite power You created all things and, in Your great mercy, brought all things from nothingness into being. Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom Mercy is central to our Faith. So central, in fact, that Pope Francis made it the theme of an Extraordinary Holy Year which began on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception [in the Roman Catholic Church]. This is the first Holy Year to celebrate, not an anniversary of some kind, but the attribute of God the Father which is…

by Brent Kostyniuk A young lady told me that one of her most poignant memories of her father was watching him make hamburger patties one day. The meat was still partially frozen and it was obvious his hands were suffering from the cold. She asked him why he was doing it if it hurt so much. He replied, “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done.” Life is like that. We are often presented with situations which, if given the choice, we would rather avoid. I used to feel that way about Lent, or the Great Fast as it…

by Brent Kostyniuk In the movie Fiddler on the Roof, the village milkman, Tevye lives his life according to the dictates of Tradition. However, he often does not know the reason for a particular tradition, only that it must be followed. While Tradition plays an important part in Tevye’s life, it is a vital element of Christian theology, especially Eastern theology. In his book, The Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Kallistos Ware writes about the significance of tradition for Eastern Christians, notably as it contributes to its changelessness, its loyalty with the past. “This idea of living continuity may be summed up…

by Brent Kostyniuk This past February, Star Trek fans the world over were saddened by the death of Leonard Nimoy, most famously remembered for creating the role of the Vulcan Mr. Spock on the original television series and later playing it in a number of movies. While not a full-fledged trekkie, I admired Nimoy’s acting skills and, in particular, the emotionless, logical perspective of the alien he portrayed. I must confess that at one point in my life, I found that outlook quite attractive. On learning of Mr. Nimoy’s death, it occurred to me that I really didn’t  know a…