Category : Formation

Envisioning Emmanuel

Written on Nov, 23, 2019 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

To help sketch out how the Orthodox Church envisions what it means to say “Emmanuel” that “God is with us,” I want to look with you at the icons and hymnography of four feasts—the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple and Theophany. Taken together these are meant to fix our hearts on that “great mystery in a cave” that “opened once again … [the] gates, O Eden” and granted “the world great mercy.”

The Religious Character of the Secular University

Written on Sep, 16, 2019 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

A university that fails to turn out students who are virtuous has failed not only the student and society but also itself. Without virtues of diligence and honest but also piety and gratitude and hope, scholarly life is impossible.

Church Done Right

Written on Aug, 28, 2019 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

…done right, or rather preached rightly, the Gospel even more so than “history rescues precious memories from the darkness into which they would otherwise disappear, forging a sense of continuity with the past” and more than in the past. Done right, or rather preached rightly, the Gospel and Holy Tradition connects us to God, to each other, and to the Kingdom that is to come.

Catechetical Homily at the Opening of Holy and Great Lent

Written on Feb, 28, 2019 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

The Orthodox ascetical ethos does not know division and dualism; it does not reject life, but rather transforms it. The dualistic vision and denial of the world is not a Christian concept. Genuine asceticism is luminous and charitable

Thoughts on the APA “Guidelines for Psychological Practice for Boys and Men”

Written on Feb, 06, 2019 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

I think APA Guidelines go wrong is that those who developed them seem not to even consider the positive qualities of the traditional view of masculinity. Besides reason gender ideology, I think they didn’t because psychology–as a discipline–tends to shy away from considering any tradition as helpful.

Talking About Asceticism!

Written on Feb, 04, 2019 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

Did an interview recently with Brooke Taylor of Good Things Radio a Catholic podcast about “the good that life has to offer while going through the joys and challenges of parenthood, married life, cooking, pop culture, friendship.” Take a listen as Brooke and I talk about asceticism! In Christ, +Fr Gregory

10 Lies We Tell Ourselves: Where Do We Go From Here?

Written on Dec, 11, 2018 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

What does matter is that you commit to not lying, to not doing what you know to be morally wrong.

Lies We Tell Ourselves #10: “A personal relationship with Jesus is a PROTESTANT idea!”

Written on Dec, 10, 2018 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

Together with baptism, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the starting point of our life in Christ.

Lies We Tell Ourselves #9: “But my priest is my spiritual father!”

Written on Dec, 06, 2018 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

It’s better to think of your priest not as a spiritual father along the monastic lines but as a coach.

Lies We Tell Ourselves #8: “Well, all I really need to do is be obedient to my priest!

Written on Dec, 05, 2018 by Fr Gregory Jensen in Formation | Leave a comment

… in the hands of an inexperienced or ill-prepared priest, obedience is a recipe for great and lasting harm for the layperson, the parish and the priest himself.

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