The Sunday of the Prodigal Son gives us the opportunity to consider how much we value our inheritance in Christ and see the fruit of a repentant heart. The prodigal demands his inheritance from his father (even before his father dies) and squanders it on riotous living. Having become a slave to his passions, there’s […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – February 1, 2015
The three weeks before the start of Great Lent (the Triodion) has begun with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee. Christ thrusts before us a stark contrast between the prideful, judgmental, self-righteous Pharisee and the humble, self-effacing, repentant Publican. Like the Pharisee, we can too easily find ourselves following all the ‘rules’ of Lent—fasting, […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – January 25, 2015
Zacchaeus Sunday has arrived and we’re reminded of Christ’s words put to action in the person of Zacchaeus: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (6:33). Zacchaeus is a sinner, but he becomes for us an icon of repentance and confession. He is done […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – January 18, 2015
Christ God shatters the myth that being ‘good’ is good enough. Inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven is not just about following God’s commandments, as important as they are, but doing so because of love for God, righteous ‘fear’ of Him, and a desire to be made compatible to be in His near presence, which is […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – January 11, 2015
“Today the waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by the coming of the Lord. Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan… Today we have been delivered from darkness and illuminated with the light of the knowledge of God. Today the blinding mist of the world is […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – January 4, 2015
Blessed New Year to you all! A new year brings with it new opportunities to say “Yes!” to God and “No!” to sin in our daily lives, even moment by moment as we live in Christ in a spirit of humility and repentance. Today we are beckoned to “repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 28, 2014
I pray for each of you a most blessed celebration in continuation of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ’s holy Nativity! Even as our preparation for the Feast has its own season (the Nativity Fast or Advent), as Orthodox, we remember that Christmas/Nativity is a season consisting of twelve days and not just one […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 21, 2014
“It was in the power of none other to turn the corruptible to incorruption, except the Savior Himself, that had at the beginning also made all things out of nought: and that none other could create anew the likeness of God’s image for men, save the Image of the Father…” (St. Athanasius, 4th century, On […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 14, 2014
“Sleepers awake!” is the name of Bach’s popular cantata, originally sung during Advent. The title refers to a common theme of the Holy Scriptures, and, therefore, of our Orthodox Faith, particularly during this season of preparation for Christ’s coming: The parable of the wise Virgins, whose lamps where lit and ready to meet the Lord […]
Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – December 7, 2014
Today’s Gospel is another reminder of the importance of giving thanks to God for His work in our lives: healing us, growing us, saving us. Of the ten lepers that were healed, only ONE came back to prostrate himself before God and offer his humble thanksgiving to God. We can easily take God’s work in […]