Week of JanUARY 18, 2026

My Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ,

In this week’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph lose track of Jesus and search for him with great anxiety, only to find him in the Temple—listening, questioning, and deeply engaged in his Father’s work. This familiar story reminds us that even faithful people can experience moments of uncertainty and confusion. Sometimes Jesus is not where we expect him to be. Yet the Gospel reassures us that God is often found in places of prayer, honest questioning, and patient searching. Growth in faith does not always come with immediate understanding, but through trust, reflection, and continued fidelity.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been encouraged by the number of people who have reached out asking about in-person worship. While our community remains small and dispersed, I would love to offer opportunities for shared prayer and liturgy. One beautiful possibility is celebrating the liturgy in people’s homes. If you know of a common room in a community center, assisted living facility, or apartment complex where a small group could gather, I would be more than happy to explore celebrating liturgy with you and others. Worship, like the Gospel itself, often begins simply—where people are willing to open their doors and hearts.
Many people are also carrying a deep sense of uncertainty and fear as we continue to experience profound divisions in our country. Some live with anxiety simply because they “look illegal,” despite having legal status. As Christians, we must be clear and unwavering on one essential truth: human dignity is not negotiable. While there may be legitimate disagreement about how immigration policy is shaped or implemented, there can be no question about the inherent worth of every human person, created in the image and likeness of God. The Gospel always calls us to resist fear, reject dehumanization, and choose compassion.
This week also saw the release of a new video, Renewal Pains in the Orthodox Church – Part 2, reflecting on Father Stefano’s book Renewal Pains in the Orthodox Church. The video explores the need for a living, experiential faith shaped by the active indwelling of the Holy Spirit, especially through the sacraments of initiation. It challenges a “static” understanding of faith and invites believers to expect transformation, spiritual gifts, and ongoing renewal. Drawing from the Eastern Christian tradition, the reflection emphasizes that baptism and chrismation are not magical moments but beginnings—calling us daily to live as people truly “born of God,” filled to the brim with the Spirit, and sent to let our light shine.
Like Mary, who treasured these things in her heart, may we remain attentive to what God is doing in our midst—quietly, patiently, and often in unexpected places. May we continue to search, to gather, and to trust that Christ is present, even when the path ahead is not yet fully clear.
Peace,
​Rev. Ben