Dark Sayings: Diary of an American Priest

"Fr Marc's collection of sermons gives us an image of the Middle Eastern priest-it is a priesthood not about him, but about his commitment to the body of Christ. These sermons and writings expose the 'fantasy of suburban bliss' that underlies all of our religious commodification-our main and only reference as North Americans-and bring us to the main point of Scripture: God doesn't need me, he doesn't need you; we need his teaching." - Rev. Dr. Harrison Russin, Assistant Professor of Liturgical Music, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary."Fr. Marc's vibrant voice, seasoned and full of knowledge, opens our senses to life, family, and community. Through his Biblical mindset, reflected in his detailed reading of the original text, messages of old reemerge at the edge of this distorted and convulsed world, coming alive and beckoning the reader to wide-open vistas of light and hope." Dr. Daniel A. Ayuch, Professor of New Testament, University of Balamand in Lebanon"Fire gives light and provides warmth, but fire also burns. Just ask a child after they touch a hot stove! Father Marc's sermon collection is like fire. It sheds light on the centrality of God's saving Word to his people, but if you're not careful, it will also burn you! Take and read these much-needed words for the Church today." V. Rev. Dr. William C. Mills, Orthodox priest and author of Losing My Religion: A Memoir of Faith and Finding"These dark sayings are hard and raw and perplexing, not unlike the Scriptures from which they emerge. They invite the reader to grapple with the Word of God, like Jacob, who wrestled through the dark of night (Genesis 32:24). The reader who perseveres until the breaking of the day is likely to be wounded by the encounter and yet receive a profound blessing." V. Rev. Dr. Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary