Comments for the 'a' word... http://theaword.wordpress.com Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:37:30 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on From here to Copenhagen… on a bike? by Iestyn Davies http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/from-here-to-copenhagen-on-a-bike/#comment-4129 Iestyn Davies Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:37:30 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=230#comment-4129 See you in London! See you in London!

]]> Comment on From here to Copenhagen… on a bike? by theaword http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/from-here-to-copenhagen-on-a-bike/#comment-4128 theaword Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:19:27 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=230#comment-4128 Well, seeing as you're going the easy way you'll have to sponsor me..! :) Well, seeing as you’re going the easy way you’ll have to sponsor me..! :)

]]> Comment on Back from South Africa by theaword http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/back-from-south-africa/#comment-4127 theaword Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:18:09 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=225#comment-4127 Thanks Vee, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. It was a sad week, but it was good that I went with Gracie. Its strange that I only have 1 grandparent left now. Feels like I'm getting older..! Hope you are doing well and surviving those first crazy weeks of term. We think of you so often, and miss you and IBTS lots! Thanks Vee, I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. It was a sad week, but it was good that I went with Gracie. Its strange that I only have 1 grandparent left now. Feels like I’m getting older..! Hope you are doing well and surviving those first crazy weeks of term. We think of you so often, and miss you and IBTS lots!

]]> Comment on Back from South Africa by Vanesska http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/back-from-south-africa/#comment-4126 Vanesska Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:02:20 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=225#comment-4126 oh alex, i'm so sorry to read this. how sad :( i'm only reading it now, but please know that am caring for you! oh alex, i’m so sorry to read this. how sad :( i’m only reading it now, but please know that am caring for you!

]]> Comment on From here to Copenhagen… on a bike? by Håkon Sigland http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/from-here-to-copenhagen-on-a-bike/#comment-4125 Håkon Sigland Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:11:19 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=230#comment-4125 Haha, great news! It looks like I'm going to Copenhagen as well, but on a bicycle from Norway to Copenhagen - that would be a rather wet experience - not considering the season. Rather, the Norwegian Christian Council joins many other NGOs and go by boat to Copenhagen. Considering the stormy season that could also be a difficult ordeal, but it might also be enjoyable - not least compared to a bicycle ride... Haha, great news! It looks like I’m going to Copenhagen as well, but on a bicycle from Norway to Copenhagen – that would be a rather wet experience – not considering the season. Rather, the Norwegian Christian Council joins many other NGOs and go by boat to Copenhagen. Considering the stormy season that could also be a difficult ordeal, but it might also be enjoyable – not least compared to a bicycle ride…

]]> Comment on The Samaritan woman by theaword http://theaword.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/the-samaritan-woman/#comment-4104 theaword Fri, 22 May 2009 08:10:59 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=151#comment-4104 Dear Father Christopher, Thank you for your comment. I understand that for the Eastern Church St Photini is a real woman, but unfortunately for many Protestants who read this story, they do not see a 'real' woman, but rather 'a' woman. What I mean is, she is almost a general woman, any Samaritan woman, not a specific woman. What I was trying to say was that we have to make her a 'real' woman, not just a woman who was being used to illustrate a point about Jesus. Does that make sense? I'm sorry if I am still being unclear! But I was just trying to tease out the implications of this story for people to see that just as Jesus was speaking to a real woman, who did not fit in with the norms of religious society then, we have to speak to and welcome the women and people who are on the margins of our societies too. Please forgive any offence I might have caused you. Thank you again for your comment. Blessings, Alex. Dear Father Christopher,
Thank you for your comment. I understand that for the Eastern Church St Photini is a real woman, but unfortunately for many Protestants who read this story, they do not see a ‘real’ woman, but rather ‘a’ woman. What I mean is, she is almost a general woman, any Samaritan woman, not a specific woman. What I was trying to say was that we have to make her a ‘real’ woman, not just a woman who was being used to illustrate a point about Jesus. Does that make sense? I’m sorry if I am still being unclear! But I was just trying to tease out the implications of this story for people to see that just as Jesus was speaking to a real woman, who did not fit in with the norms of religious society then, we have to speak to and welcome the women and people who are on the margins of our societies too.

Please forgive any offence I might have caused you. Thank you again for your comment.

Blessings,

Alex.

]]> Comment on The Samaritan woman by Fr Christopher http://theaword.wordpress.com/2008/02/21/the-samaritan-woman/#comment-4103 Fr Christopher Fri, 22 May 2009 00:43:50 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/?p=151#comment-4103 Dear Alex, I am an Orthodox priest. It would take a long time to explain how I stumbled on to your blog, and I rarely post comments. However, your response to Marian intrigued me. And I don't believe you were meaning to be offensive. However, I would like to note that part of your comment is quite ironic: "I wanted to make her ‘real’… not just a lady in a story, but a real woman with a real name and a real story… bring a different dimension to a story that has great implications for Christians if we only move beyond seeing her as a character in a fictional story." Perhaps you are not aware that this is precisely the point. For Eastern Orthodox (and many others) Photini is absolutely real. Her reality, integrity and value--recognized and honored by the Lord who met here that day--is preserved in the living, breathing memory and soul of the church in which millions venerate her precisely because Jesus loved and honored her. What would make you think that this ancient, yet still vibrant and living story--and yes, even the name by which the church has always honored her--is fictional? I preached on this passage last Sunday (the Fifth Sunday of Pascha which is named The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman!), saying precisely that it was the fact that Jesus accepted her and loved her whatever her past or present condition were is what gives us the courage to know that we too can approach the Lord and be assured of his mercy, love and forgiveness. St. Photini is also my mother-in-law's name saint; her beautiful icon hangs in honor on our icon wall. Respectfully, priest Christopher Dear Alex,
I am an Orthodox priest. It would take a long time to explain how I stumbled on to your blog, and I rarely post comments. However, your response to Marian intrigued me. And I don’t believe you were meaning to be offensive. However, I would like to note that part of your comment is quite ironic: “I wanted to make her ‘real’… not just a lady in a story, but a real woman with a real name and a real story… bring a different dimension to a story that has great implications for Christians if we only move beyond seeing her as a character in a fictional story.”

Perhaps you are not aware that this is precisely the point. For Eastern Orthodox (and many others) Photini is absolutely real. Her reality, integrity and value–recognized and honored by the Lord who met here that day–is preserved in the living, breathing memory and soul of the church in which millions venerate her precisely because Jesus loved and honored her. What would make you think that this ancient, yet still vibrant and living story–and yes, even the name by which the church has always honored her–is fictional?

I preached on this passage last Sunday (the Fifth Sunday of Pascha which is named The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman!), saying precisely that it was the fact that Jesus accepted her and loved her whatever her past or present condition were is what gives us the courage to know that we too can approach the Lord and be assured of his mercy, love and forgiveness.

St. Photini is also my mother-in-law’s name saint; her beautiful icon hangs in honor on our icon wall.

Respectfully,
priest Christopher

]]> Comment on by Jóga http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/214/#comment-4102 Jóga Thu, 21 May 2009 20:48:19 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/214/#comment-4102 you are also silent for far too long :P you are also silent for far too long :P

]]> Comment on Worship and Justice by gailsongbantum http://theaword.wordpress.com/2006/08/04/worship-and-justice/#comment-4100 gailsongbantum Fri, 08 May 2009 15:24:56 +0000 https://theaword.wordpress.com/2006/08/04/worship-and-justice/#comment-4100 this is indeed the topic of recent years....thanks for your blog. when you get a chance.... http://gailsongbantum.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/worship-as-a-lifestyle-really/ this is indeed the topic of recent years….thanks for your blog.
when you get a chance…. http://gailsongbantum.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/worship-as-a-lifestyle-really/

]]> Comment on by Vanesska http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/214/#comment-4093 Vanesska Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:11:58 +0000 http://theaword.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/214/#comment-4093 hhmmmmm ... perhaps retitling your post 'when alex is silent' is more appropriate! hee hee! hope you and the little on and the big one are all doing well!!! hhmmmmm … perhaps retitling your post ‘when alex is silent’ is more appropriate! hee hee! hope you and the little on and the big one are all doing well!!!

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