Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Listen to excerpts from this past Sunday's bulletin at St. John the Compassionate Mission, serving the most vulnerable in Toronto.

Listen to reflections about encountering Christ in the midst of pain, from St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Listen to stories from Brother Luke about people who frequent St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto, Ontario.

Hear three short stories of people who are part of the community at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Fr. Nicolaie writes about language and communication--reflections on the Friday before Pentecost at St. John the Compassionate Mission.

Listen to reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie about M's experience with panhandling and the Church's loss.

Another story written by Brother Luke of St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie about the gospel story of the father of the demon-possessed boy.

The silence of God at Nativity invites the caring community to action and change.

When someone is in need, they seek to be listened to, to be heard by a heart that cares about their story and about the injustice done.

Frank (or Isaac, in the Church), a regular member of the community, passed away suddenly near the end of March. A mixup with his phone provided the community with the chance to learn of his passing, and opened the door for his daughter to share her grief with others who also loved her father.

St. Gregory Palamas believed in beholding through prayer the uncreated energies of God. A young volunteer reveals to the community that this is not one quick event that pierces the soul. It is rather an encounter for the whole day.

Brother Luke reflects on some scenes from every day at the mission.

The church is called today to care for life, to offer an open space where the soul of man can pray and sing, and have an encounter with Christ, who listens to us from the cross.

How can poverty, hunger, and mourning be considered "blessed?" Father Nicolai looks at the Beatitudes through the lens of the community, revealing the "Good Word," "Bene Dicere," or "Blessing" that is poured out in and through someone with a sincere heart.

Martha begins the new year listing a few basics she hopes her children learn before entering adulthood.

Martha discusses the importance of fasting within the context of a community.

Can a culinary term apply to our kitchen as well as to our spiritual preparation for Lent? Today, Martha shares the answer.

Martha reminds us that the reason we cook is for love.

Our kitchens serve many functions; there we prepare celebrations and we heal wounds. We nourish ourselves and others. Today Martha shares some observations about her own kitchen.

In this episode, Martha shares impressions of a memorable meal, a book about famous chefs, and Flannery O'Connor.

the course of medication that cures Hepatitis C costs $84,000 at $1,000/pill, but can be produced for only $700 or $0.83/pill #

very sad to hear this but I'm grateful for their effort, and loved having them at XOXO to talk about their weird and special community #

for the tenth year, Laura E. Hall brings back her popup newsletter sending a gently spooky email for each day of October #

in some cases, Meta is automatically creating the pages #

getting it to run DOOM is only a matter of time #

grateful to Mia Sato for staying on this beat, which affects so many smaller sites I care about #

Ada Ada Ada is documenting her transition on Instagram, uploading shirtless photos weekly to test their nudity guidelines #

Louie Zong, Worthikids, and Brian David Gilbert formed a supergroup making Steely Dan-inspired music and are playing L.A. next month!? #

for the last 19 years, Michael Pusateri has tracked children's Halloween costumes at his front door and published the stats online #

Aardman Animation worked with Patrick McHale and the original voice cast for an elaborate stop-motion tribute #

the incredible web-based Mac/NeXT system emulator somehow keeps getting better #

inflation was a painful global phenomenon, and every ruling party was punished for it regardless of political leanings #

With many of the autocephalous Churches meeting in Crete this week, some have wondered if this was another "Ecumenical Council" of the Orthodox Church. Fr. Lawrence Farley helps us understand that term.

Fr. Lawrence asks if we should be trying to convert those of other faiths or not faith to Christianity.

Fr. Lawrence talks about is just released Ancient Faith book "Unquenchable Fire."

What does the Orthodox Church think about gay sex? The official answer is not hard to find.

We regard it as “Scripture”, a holy text, and of course it is. But it is also a personal letter addressed and written to people other than ourselves.

In the Gospel reading Christ even now stands in our midst to speak to our hearts.

Fr. Lawrence says it is safe to say that the allegorical method has fallen upon hard times in the scholarly world.

How the concept of punishment in the world to come was understood at the time of Christ.