641 episodes

Welcome to OrthoAnalytika, Fr. Anthony Perkins' podcast of homilies, classes, and shows on spirituality, science, and culture - all offered from a decidedly Orthodox Christian perspective. Fr. Anthony is a mission priest and seminary professor for the UOC-USA. He has a diverse background, a lot of enthusiasm, and a big smile. See www.orthoanalytika.org for show notes and additional content.

OrthoAnalytika Fr. Anthony Perkins

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.7 • 22 Ratings

Welcome to OrthoAnalytika, Fr. Anthony Perkins' podcast of homilies, classes, and shows on spirituality, science, and culture - all offered from a decidedly Orthodox Christian perspective. Fr. Anthony is a mission priest and seminary professor for the UOC-USA. He has a diverse background, a lot of enthusiasm, and a big smile. See www.orthoanalytika.org for show notes and additional content.

    Homily - Prejudice, Objectivity, and Perseverance

    Homily - Prejudice, Objectivity, and Perseverance

    Homily – Prejudice, Objectivity, and Grit
    St. Matthew 15.21-28
    Gospel: Then Jesus left and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried; “have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; for my daughter is severely possessed by a devil.” But Jesus did not answer her at all. So his disciples came and pleaded; “send her away, for she is crying after us.” Jesus replied; “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and knelt before him saying; “Lord, help me.” And Jesus answered; “it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Then she said; “yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.
    Are we ashamed of the Christ? Should we be?
    If you were not jarred by the language of this Gospel lesson, then I am not sure that you were paying attention. Did you hear what Jesus said to this poor woman? She came to him with a terrible problem, and how did he respond? First, he ignored her! Then, as if that was not bad enough, he told her that he did not come to help “her kind.” And then, to top it off, he pretty much called her a “dog” and told her that she was not worthy of his help! How can we deal with this? How are we to understand the rudeness that Christ exhibited to this brokenhearted and suffering mother?
    It is a point of fact that when the Scriptures surprise or offend us (and it often does… or should!), that we should react with joy rather than sadness, anger, or disbelief – for we are about to have our understanding enlarged! That is certainly the case with today’s lesson. The fact that Christ’s words are so offensive is part of the point, part of the lesson. So what are we to learn from it?
    Some theologians would explain that we have to look at the cultural context of the reading: Jesus was a Jew, and that this was how Jews thought about and treated the Gentiles. This is what some theologians say, but they are wrong. In charity, I should give them more credit: they are only mostly wrong. They are right in teaching that we should look at the cultural context of scripture, but they are completely wrong in believing that Jesus was shaped by it: Christ is utterly BEYOND culture. Remember: he was the Logos before time began. As a human, he was affected by his time and place, but as the source of wisdom he transcended the bigotries and prejudices of the world. Ironically, it was this very transcendence that led to his offensive treatment of the Canaanite woman. Let me explain.
    Jesus recognized that there were aspects of worldly cultures that were literally demonic (e.g. Psalm 81; Psalm 95:5 1 Corinthians 10:20) and, as such, they were a serious obstacle to satisfying his desire that all men be saved. Through his language, he was awakening his audience to the absurdity of treating people based on their group rather than as unique persons in need of our love and attention. The disciples could not help but notice the huge gulf between what morality required and the way their prejudices would have them act. There is no room for prejudice or division in God’s love. Those who serve him must rise above their worldviews and see the world in the light of pure love and objectivity.
    Again, Christ was using this encounter to teach his audience that love requires that we serve everyone who comes into our midst, regardless of the color of their skin, where they or their babas were born, or how much money they make.
    So what about the poor woman? What if she had given up? Remember, we are not dealing with a common man here, but with the eternal God incarnate. He knew the woman’s heart in its entirety; not just the love she had for her daughter or the trust she had in the power of God to heal h

    • 17 min
    Bible Study – Job 2:16-7:14

    Bible Study – Job 2:16-7:14

    Bible Study – Job
    Class Five: Job 2:16-7:14
    The trial of ideas begins. 

    • 51 min
    Homily - Spiritual Investing?

    Homily - Spiritual Investing?

    Homily on the Talents
    Main point: What do we with the riches God has given us? Multiply them! How? By investing all those riches in spiritual activities that provide a strong return on investment and having enough self-discipline not to waste them on activities that cause spiritual harm.
    There are many kinds of riches that the Bible and Tradition teach about; today we’ll talk about spiritual and monetary riches.
    How to Get a Good Return on Spiritual Riches
    •   Baptized Christians have all received riches (the grace of Baptism – a life in Christ!): what do we do with them?
    •   We do not all start with the same – we all have abilities and weaknesses
    •   But all are called to grow that which God has planted in our hearts
    How do we grow them? It’s all about Orthopraxis. Discipleship. Evangelism. Everyone has to be involved in the ministries of the Church – and our parish must be set up to enable and encourage this.
    How do we bury our talents? Not just by squandering them, but by refusing to develop and use them. By sitting on our hands. By seeking the minimum standard.
    We need to grow the grace God has put into our hearts so that it overflows and brings comfort, joy, and healing to all those around us. We have to grow the investment of grace God made within our hearts. Orthodoxy is not about rules – Americans hate rules – it’s about getting a good return on the spiritual investment God made in us. Americans understand investments (and, while it may seem crass, it follows from the parable that Christ gave us). So…
    •   Encouraging us to pray in the morning and evening and at every meal time is sound spiritual investment advice;
    •   Encouraging us to come to services every Sunday and Feast Dayis sound spiritual investment advice;
    •   Encouraging us to read scripture and edifying literature everyday is sound spiritual investment advice.
    •   Encouraging every parish member should offer up their time in both worship AND ministry is sound spiritual investment advice.
    •   Extolling the benefits of tithing is giving us sound spiritual advice.
    •   Warning us that things like gossip, pornography, self-indulgence, hard-heartedness, and adultery are wicked sins and to be avoided, is sound spiritual investment advice.
    Some people hear this – and I mean good people! – and they say “but Father… I don’t need to do all these things to be good. I’m nice. I already love people. I know that it is my duty to help my friends and my family and that is what I do. It comes naturally. I don’t need fasting and all that other stuff.” I LOVE hearing this! It is great to meet people who are born with such wonderful gifts. But being born with gifts doesn’t get them off the hook. My response to the way they rationalize their slothfulness goes something like this; “wonderful! God gave you FIVE TALENTS instead of just one or two – now you need to fast and do all that other stuff to invest those five and get five more!”
    No one should mistake a naturally pleasant disposition or other natural attributes as some kind of grace they earned: these things are gifts from God and they must be developed. That’s what he is telling us today about getting into heaven. God expects more from those to whom He has given more – so get to work!
    How to Get the Best (Spiritual Return) on Monetary Riches
    But the Lord isn’t just teaching us about how to grow the grace He has given us. There is a lot to learn here and throughout the scriptures about what to do with our money. He tells us that everything that we have was given to us is for one purpose: growth in perfection. Growth in Christ. The healing of this world. The spreading of the Gospel. The increasing and superabundance of grace in our lives, our parish, and this world. As with spiritual gifts, not all of us are given the same gifts … but we are all called to grow what we have been given to th

    • 19 min
    FSAW - Falling Short of the Glory of God

    FSAW - Falling Short of the Glory of God

    In this episode of "Father, Speak a Word," Fr. Gregory Jensen, PhD and Fr. Anthony talk about why we should celebrate our shortcomings (as we repent of our sin).  The conversation is based on Fr. Gregory's substack article "It's Complicated; Thoughts On Falling Short of the Glory of God."  [The audio has been corrected.]

    • 44 min
    Bible Study – Job 1:13-2:15

    Bible Study – Job 1:13-2:15

    Bible Study – Job
    Class Four: Job 1:13 – 2:15
    From the Orthodox Study Bible.
    Job Loses His Children and Property
    13.  Now there was a day when Job’s sons and daughters were drinking wine in the house of their elder brother,
    14.  and behold, a messenger came to Job and said, “The yokes of oxen were plowing, and the female donkeys were feeding beside them.
    15.  Then raiders came and took them captive and killed the servants with the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
    16.  While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said to Job, “Fire fell from heaven and burned up the sheep, and likewise consumed the shepherds; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
    17.  While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Horsemen formed three bands against us, surrounded the camels, took them captive, and killed the servants with the sword.  I alone have escaped to tell you!”
    18.  While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Your sone and daughters were eating and drinking wine with their elder brother,
    19.  and suddenly a great wind came from the desert and struck the hour corners of the house; and it fell on your children, and they died; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
    20.  Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved off the hair of his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped, saying,
    21. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.  As it seemed good to the Lord, so also it came to pass.  Blessed by the name of the Lord.”
    22.  In all these things that happened, Job did not sin against the Lord or charge God with folly.
     
    Let’s break this down.
    St. Gregory the Great.
    On the compounding of affliction.
    Lo again, lest any thing should be wanting to his grief for the adversity that came of man, he brings tidings that bands of the Chaldeans had broken in, and lest the calamity that came from above should strike him with too little force, he shews that wrath is repeated in the heavens…
    He who is not laid low by one wound is in consequence stricken twice and thrice, that at one time or another he may be struck to the very core. Thus the blow from the Sabeans had been reported, the Divine visitation by fire from heaven had been reported, tidings are brought of the plundering of the camels, by man again, and of the slaughter of his servants, and the fury of God’s displeasure is repeated, in that a fierce wind is shewn to have smitten the corners of the house, and to have overwhelmed his children. For because it is certain that without the Sovereign dictate the elements can never be put in motion, it is covertly implied that He, Who let them be stirred, did Himself stir up the elements against him, though, when Satan has once received the power from the Lord, he is able even to put the elements into commotion to serve his wicked designs.
    On the timing of the attacks
    We ought to observe what times are suited for temptations; for the devil chose that as the time for tempting, when he found the sons of the blessed Job engaged in feasting; for the adversary does not only cast about what to do, but also when to do it. Then though he had gotten the power, yet he sought a fitting season to work his overthrow, to this end, that by God’s disposal it might be recorded for our benefit, that the delight of full enjoyment is the forerunner of woe.
    On Job’s response.
    But in that it is added that he worshipped, it is plainly shewn that even in the midst of pain, he did not break forth against the decree of the Smiter. He was not altogether unmoved, lest by his very insensibility he should shew a contempt of God; nor was he completely in commotion, lest by excess of grief he should commit sin. But because there are two commandments of love, i. e. the love of God, and of our neighbour; that he might discharge the love of our neighbour, he paid the debt of mourni

    • 46 min
    Homily - What is a Home?

    Homily - What is a Home?

    Homily Notes on Zacchaeus Sunday:
    What makes a home?
    Walk in – can you tell (that a place is a home)?
    The feeling?
    ·       Feelings and intuition are unreliable; generally, they are the way the subconscious mind puts together other indicators
    ·       But to the sense our feelings are reliable, some places are haunted by memories of being home 
    “The clutter?” There is something to this.
    ·       Imperfect indicator (museums have lots of stuff… & I hear there are homes with no clutter)
    ·       Points to something else that is often associated with clutter

    The rituals? There is something to this, as well.
    ·       All homes do have rituals, but they are similar to clutter (they ARE clutters of habits… and these habits form character)
    ·       Imperfect indicator

    *** A home is where love lives. ***
    Zacchaeus had a nice house.
    ·       But it wasn’t until Christ came that it was a place of love
    ·       “Today salvation has come to this house”
    ·       From the blessing of homes after Theophany; “O GOD OUR SAVIOR, the True Light, who wast baptized in the Jordan by John to renew all men by the laver of regeneration, and who didst deign to enter under the roof of Zacchaeus, thereby bringing salvation to him and to all his house: do thou, the same Lord, keep safe from harm all who dwell here; grant them thy blessing, purification, and bodily health; grant all their petitions which are unto salvation and life everlasting. For blessed art thou, O Lord, together with thy Father who is without beginning, and thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.” 
    Lesson here
    ·       Love blesses all things when it is present; friendships, teachers and students, workplace relationships…
    ·       Why is this? Why aren’t the kind of relationships Zaccheaus had – ones based on exploitation – blessed?
    ·       Because the God who created the rules is the One who is the source and animator of all love.
    ·       This is why intentionally invoking Him in our relationships makes them so much stronger. Marriages, families, friendships… they are strengthened when they are done IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.
    Most especially true of us here. This is THE place of power.
    ·       Let us continue to bask in it.
    ·       As Christ grows in our midst and remakes us into perfect bearers of that love.
     

    • 14 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
22 Ratings

22 Ratings

Pastor Bob’s ,

Needed this

What a beautiful reminder of the Orthodox spirituality and lifestyle. Fr Anthony’s down to earth approach and deep messages hit home. Each episode seems to point towards my misdirected energies and blatant oversights. While not pulling any punches, his approach is gentle, kind, and humble. I’ve not seen much of his style anywhere else in the Orthodox community. I’ve found this series to be a much needed blessing.

iznakurnoj ,

Strengthens my connection to God

Any time I am going through difficulties, and need encouragement through faith, I listen to Father Anthony. His ability to convey God's love and make sense of a world that seems so chaotic at times brings unbelievable peace.

Mr. Greve ,

Wonderful!

Laid back, spiritually nourishing and practical. Fr Anthony hits that balance between upholding the vocation of a priest as teacher and example while recognizing himself as a regular guy learing to follow Christ like every other Orthodox. He covers a wide range of issues in both a practical and spiritual way without forcing either one. Great podcast!

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