The Cross Stands, While the World Turns: Homilies for the Cycles of the Year

This collection of sermons is both a good stand alone text to gain new perspectives of the theology and liturgies of the Orthodox Church and her cycles while also being a good resource to approach fr John Behr's theological vision from an angle that is rather different from his more high brow publications.

The Cross Stands While the World Turns is a book of homilies divided into three sections, "The Paschal Cycle," "The Nativity-Theophany Cycle," and "The Theotokos Cycle." In total, there are thirty-five homilies in this book. Most of the homilies are taken from Sundays throughout the Orthodox Church Calendar and the Twelve Great Feasts. The only Feasts days I see missing are Pascha and the Transfiguration. The beauty of this book is that it is not one you have to read all at once or in order. You can pick up this book at any time of the year, turn to the appropriate Sunday, or major Feast Day and be treated to a beautiful homily.After reading homilies related to the Nativity season, I started thumbing through the book looking for one to jump out to me. Lo and behold, "Antipascha: St. Thomas Sunday," did just that! Poor St. Thomas gets a horrible rap. He will forever be mislabeled as doubting, just like Mary Magdalene will always be mislabeled as a prostitute. In Fr. Behr's homily, he seeks to redeem St. Thomas. "His doubt, and his inquiry, is not out to disprove, but to confirm. There is, indeed, a world of difference between a doubt that is seeking confirmation and a doubt that is basically skeptical. As the Fathers and medieval theologians put it: faith seeks understanding." You'll find insight like this in all of his homilies, as each one is well-researched and well-crafted.This was a very-enjoyable book and one that I will keep at prominent and easy-to-reach place on my bookshelf. I had a hard time putting it down after reading the homily for one day, and oftentimes found myself reading additional tales just to absorb Fr. Behr's knowledge. The biggest complaint I have with this book is that there was no homily for Pascha. Another minor complaint is that there is no introductory material for each of the three cycles, I referenced in the first paragraph. These complaints, however, do not detract from the wisdom contained in this book and did not cause me to downrank the book either. 5 stars!

Fr John Beyr is one my favourite theologians, and these homilies for the cycles of the liturgical year are inspiring. Fr Behr takes us into the very heart and soul of Eastern Orthodox faith. His view of the yearly reading cycle takes us beyond them towards the very source of the Holy Scriptures, the Word, which is Jesus. The homilies will appeal to Christians of all churches. Rich in substance and understanding the believer will be strengthened in his or her faith and will be drawn closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father's love.