Mysterion

Go In and Be Still

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:53:44 +0000

Fr. Richard answers two questions: How do we realize God's closeness to us, and how do we proclaim it?

God Has Never Been Closer

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:28:13 +0000

Fr. Richard reminds us that after Christ ascended into heaven, he grew closer to us than ever.

The Myrhh-Bearing Women and the Redemption of the Past

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:15:39 +0000

Fr. Richard explains why the Myrrh-Bearing Women came to the tomb.

St. Thomas and the Wounds

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 29 May 2013 08:14:31 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that it by following St. Thomas's example that we can break through the "business as usual" that follows Lent and Pascha.

Overcoming Lust

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:40:55 +0000

Fr. Richard explains what lust actually is and how to overcome it.

The Topsy Turvy Ladder

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:24:56 +0000

Fr. Richard reminds us that we must go down to go up St. John's Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Overcoming Fear

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:32:11 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that the antidote to fear is surrender.

People of the Cross

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:48:14 +0000

Fr. Richard reminds us that if we're going to be people of the Cross, then we need to accept our subjugation and suffering.

The Outer Journey and the Inner Journey

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:38:07 +0000

Fr. Richard explains how we can encounter and know the energies of the living God.

Let Us Disappear

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:44:39 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that the way for us to demonstrate the submission of the Theotokos is by trying to disappear.

The Triumph of the Personal

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:04:07 +0000

Fr. Richard explains what it is about icons that is crucial and essential to being an Orthodox Christian.

Overcoming Resentment: Part Two

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:33:23 +0000

Fr. Richard explains how to overcome resentment.

Overcoming Resentment: Part One

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:03:21 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the various ironies of resentment.

Meeting Salvation

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:50:28 +0000

What is the reason for Simeon's song? Fr. Richard explains.

Take Off the Costume

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:45:02 +0000

Fr. Richard discusses the central question of ethics: Why should we behave well?

Little Christs or Little Herods?

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 19:45:36 +0000

Fr. Richard uses Herod's massacre of the innocents in the Gospel of Matthew to help us understand the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

Persons with People

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 21:19:06 +0000

Fr. Richard explores the significance of genealogies.

Mattie Stepanek and the Voice of Hope

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 15:51:14 +0000

Fr. Richard reflects on the life of Mattie Stepanek, a boy who died of a rare form of muscular dystrophy in 2004.

Think of It

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:39:46 +0000

Fr. Richard maintains that Jesus calls us to be compassionate through the use of our imaginations.

Expanding the Temple

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 20:31:16 +0000

Fr. Richard describes how the Theotokos took over the Jewish temple and absorbed it into herself.

Lift Up the Darkness

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:55:13 +0000

Why does God allow rough storms to buffet us? Fr. Richard encourages us to look for responses to this question rather than answers.

What’s the High Score?

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:45:46 +0000

Fr. Richard explains what St. Paul ultimately means when he sets into opposition the "works of the law" and "faith in Christ."

A Third Way of Reading the Bible

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:00:21 +0000

Fr. Richard explains the prophetic method of scriptural exegesis.

Sowing Seed in the Human Heart

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:05:54 +0000

Fr. Richard reflects on the parable of the sower by asking three questions: Who is the Lord speaking to? What does He promise us? And what is our challenge?

Two Visions of Community

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:49:10 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that because of the Cross, death can no longer become the foundation of community.

Look to the Hands of Our Master

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:32:22 +0000

Fr. Richard explains how the Theotokos managed to give over her soul with peace and joy.

The Beautiful Gesture

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:50:09 +0000

Fr. Richard explains why the Transfiguration was necessary.

Lord of the Storms

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:32:05 +0000

Fr. Richard reminds us that the law is no longer enough to ward off the primeval forces of chaos.

The Golden Gate Solution

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:21:17 +0000

Fr. Richard contends that when life becomes a struggle we too easily look to other places, people, and circumstances for relief.

Why I Love Orthodoxy (In Spite of Everything)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 06:37:59 +0000

Why should you continue to love the Orthodox Church despite controversy and scandal? Fr. Richard finds his answer in the faith of the people who carried the paralytic to Christ.

Deliver Your Pizza and Go Home

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:13:05 +0000

Fr. Richard reminds us that the most significant thing that we can say about saints Peter and Paul is that they were apostles.

Does God Have a Plan for Your Life?

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 16:24:01 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that everything there is to be known of God's will for our lives is completely accessible and knowable in our personal encounter with the Son of God.

Authority is Not a Four-Letter Word

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:33:27 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that authority is an essential part of what makes loving service to others real.

Breathing the Breath of God

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:51:44 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that Pentecost was necessary because human beings need to not just observe the law—not just see it written down—but also to breathe it. In short, the first Christians needed God's breath within them.

Marriage: Investment, Covenant, or Sacrament?

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 18:18:35 +0000

Fr. Richard contends that the predominance of social utilitarianism is responsible for the deterioration of the institution of marriage.

God’s Prize

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:15:40 +0000

Fr. Richard argues that the Ascension is not so much about abandonment and departure as it is about rescue and return.

Seeing Reality (with a Capital R)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:16:31 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that the blind man Jesus healed did not just go from physical blindness to physical sight, but also from spiritual blindness to spiritual sight.

The Ministry of Suffering

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:51:14 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that chronic pain and illness are not a detour from real life, but rather the very path that leads to real life.

Radical Attendance

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:52:07 +0000

Fr. Richard explains why the myrrh-bearing women returned to the womb and what it means for the Christian life.

The Wounded Healer

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:39:07 +0000

Fr. Richard examines what it means to be a living testimonial of Christ.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part Seven: Struggle Daily to Rest Eternally

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:31:46 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the seventh day of creation and what it teaches us about rest.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part Six: Offer Your World As Praise

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 06:11:24 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the work that God did on the sixth day of creation and finds that the fundamental purpose of human beings is voicing praise.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part Five: Be Fruitful in Silence and Multiply in Generosity

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 06:34:15 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the work that God did on the fifth day of creation and what it teaches us about making Christ present in each and every moment of our lives.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part Four: Live in the Intervals

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 07:37:29 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the work that God did on the fourth day of creation and what it teaches us about living in the moment.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part Three: Live According to Specifications

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:06:32 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the work that God did on the third day of creation and what it teaches us about the habits of genuine humanity.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part Two: Make a Sacred Space

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:12:29 +0000

Fr. Richard examines the second day of creation and what it tells us about humanity, even as we anticipate the ultimate revelation and perfection of humanity at the Pascha of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Seven Habits of Real Human Beings, Part One: Begin Where You Are

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:48:01 +0000

By reading the Book of Genesis during Great Lent, the Church reminds us that the forty days are a time in which we can allow ourselves to be created as real human beings. Fr. Richard begins to look at each of the seven days of creation to discover what they teach us about Christ as the ultimate"'real human being" who we can strive to imitate in the time leading up to Pascha.

Surprise Judgments Ahead; Expect Anything!

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:51:00 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that the reason we will be surprised by God's judgment is because we have already judged ourselves.

How to Make a Full Disclosure

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:49:17 +0000

Fr. Richard concludes his series on repentance with a discussion of the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.

Disclose and Dispose

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:55:34 +0000

Fr. Richard discusses the history of repentance in the Church to demonstrate how we are to practice repentance in our lives.

What Happens in Vegas . . .

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:16:10 +0000

Fr. Richard explains how we are to practice repentance.

Look Up and See Your Maker

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:25:27 +0000

Fr. Richard begins a new series of homilies on repentance.

Faith from the Inside Out

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:56:59 +0000

Our faith cannot be imposed from the outside in. In this week's episode, Fr. Richard speaks of how an authentic Christian life can be grown from the inside out.

Christians Are Not Respectable

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:52:22 +0000

Fr. Richard speaks on the Samaritan leper and the Christian vocation to radical devotion.

Spiritual Awakening

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:40:57 +0000

Fr. Richard explores the three phases of the process of awakening to what Christ has done for us.

Occupy Your Heart

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:17:16 +0000

Fr. Richard argues that before we can successfully occupy New York, Vancouver, or anywhere else, we need to first occupy our own hearts.

Living as the Family of God

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:24:27 +0000

Fr. Richard explores the two primary challenges of living as the family of God.

Suffering Is a Secret; Suffering Is a Gift

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:16:23 +0000

Why do the innocent suffer? Fr. Richard answers this troubling spiritual question.

The Anatomy of Fear

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:45:13 +0000

Fr. Richard defines "fear" as the refusal to look at ourselves honestly—to fail to take responsibility for who we really are.

Living the Same Way on the Inside as on the Outside

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:39:32 +0000

Fr. Richard explains how to be a transparent community.

You Are Already Naked

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:19:46 +0000

Fr. Richard discusses our spiritual transparency before God.

The Two Nation Way

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 06:04:14 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that the world cannot be divided into nations; rather, we all share a radical equality of failure.

No One Is a Demon

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:29:47 +0000

Fr. Richard preaches on the Gerasine Demoniac.

Christianity and Patriotism

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:38:55 +0000

On behalf of the Ministerial Association of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Fr. Richard offers a Christian response to the topic statement of this year's Interfaith Symposium: "Love of Country Is Part of My Faith."

Benign Cells in the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12-14)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:41:58 +0000

What are spiritual gifts and how are they to be used? Fr. Richard answers both questions.

The Maverick Mentality and Discerning the Body (I Corinthians 11)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:53:32 +0000

Fr. Richard addresses how to preserve the life of the Church free from worldly influences.

For the Good of the Weak (I Corinthians 8-10)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:22:41 +0000

Fr. Richard argues that using our freedom in such a way that causes other people to stumble is completely inconsistent with a Christian vocation.

Introduction to Mysterion

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:54:40 +0000

Fr. Richard introduces us to the world of Mysterion where his young adult fantasy series takes place. The newest book in the series, The Edge of Mysterion, was just published by Conciliar Press.

Is It Helpful? (I Corinthians 7)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:05:07 +0000

Fr. Richard explains how to maintain our holiness in the midst of the world without succumbing to the temptation to escape the world.

Drawing the Line Between the Church and the World (1 Corinthians 5-6)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:35:39 +0000

Fr. Richard explains the distinction between being in the world and being of the world.

Dormition and the Good Death

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:55:55 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that the Dormition of the Theotokos teaches us how disciples of Jesus Christ are called to die.

The Third Day After September 11th

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:25:20 +0000

Fr. Richard argues that since the Cross, we can no longer use violence to bind up our society—to unite against others, no matter how hard we try.

Water Poems

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:38:54 +0000

In addition to serving as a priest, Fr. Richard is a writer of fiction and poetry. His young adult science-fiction book Mysterion will soon be published by Conciliar Press, and here he reads a work titled "Water Poems."

Of Personal Branding and Identity in Christ (I Corinthians 1)

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:03:06 +0000

Fr. Richard argues that when we promote our personal brand, we're just carrying the factionalism of the Corinthians to its most selfish, individualistic, and atomized end.

More on Dispassion

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:50:07 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that "suffering" is slavery to something outside ourselves, and that "dispassion" is a lack of suffering—the quality of not being enslaved to external impulses.

The Principle of Dispassion

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:07:56 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that when an ordinary human being is deluded into thinking that he possesses the personal power to singlehandedly redeem another person, something has gone terribly wrong.

The Saints as Peacemakers

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:59:47 +0000

Fr. Richard explains that when Jesus talks about Peace, he's not talking about pacifism, but rather about whether we are confident that we belong to and with the Father.

Panentheism

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:00:37 +0000

As Orthodox Christians, we are neither pantheists nor theists, but rather panentheists. Fr. Richard explains.

The True Meaning of Freedom

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:16:18 +0000

Fr. Richard compares the concept of freedom according to culture with the concept of freedom according to Christ.

All Saints Sunday

feeds@ancientfaith.com (Fr. Richard Rene and Ancient Faith Radio) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:24:15 +0000

On this inaugural episode of Mysterion, Fr. Richard Rene of St. Aidan Orthodox Church in Cranbrook, British Columbia, shares his homily from the Sunday of All Saints.