Our Gospel today ends with the words of Christ, “‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’.” Why is this message of repentance given to us today? The Theophany of God the Holy Trinity, this first explicit revelation and manifestation of God as the unity in essence that He is—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, […]
Orthodox Homily on the Great Feast of Theophany
At this Great Feast of Theophany we bring into the present Christ’s holy Baptism into the waters of the Jordan. It is sad that in our modern American Orthodoxy (if one can call it that), so many skip this Feast, which was for the early Orthodox Church on par with Nativity and indeed joined with […]
30th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Forefeast of Theophany
Today is both a day of preparation as it is a day of decision. In earthly terms, a new year has dawned on us. We’ve entered into a new time, filled with new decisions, new joys, new trials, and new opportunities. We’re also at the threshold of the Great Feast of Christ’s baptism, our own […]
29th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Nativity of Christ
There’s one aspect of our struggle to live out our faith in Christ that I hear more than any other: People tell me how hard it is to be a Christian these days because they often feel like they’re going it alone. So many around them: family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, fellow students are all living […]
28th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Ancestors of Christ
Today on the Sunday before Nativity, the Sunday of the Ancestors of Christ, we remember those who prefigure Christ Himself. Matthew’s Gospel, which is assigned for today, traces Jesus Christ’s lineage through Abraham and recounts Christ’s lineage not through Mary but through Joseph, who adopts Jesus and in doing so, gives us one of those […]
27th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Forefathers of Christ
Today is the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers of Christ—the 11th hour of Advent—and so, we affirm with St. Cyril of Jerusalem when he shouts out to us from the Fourth Century: “we do not only proclaim one coming, but two, the second more glorious than the first!” Indeed, the Lord, Emmanuel, is coming! This […]
26th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Healing the 10 Lepers
As we just heard in today’s Gospel, ten lepers appeal to Christ God for healing that He alone gives. While all ten were healed, only one came back to Christ, prostrating himself before Him who gives life to all people, and thanking God for the healing he has received. Brothers and sisters, you and I […]
25th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Apostle Andrew
Today, we remember the Great Apostle Andrew, “the First-Called,” as he is known throughout the Orthodox Church. As we read in today’s Gospel, Christ said to them, “’Come and see.’” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two […]
24th Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Rich Man Whose Soul is Demanded
In the uncertain times we live in, it can be even more tempting to put our trust on our financial well-being, on creating for ourselves the illusion of ‘security,’ of thinking, that if I just can hide away enough surplus, well, then nothing of this world will be able to touch me. The rich man […]
23rd Sunday After Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Good Samaritan
Here, at the beginning of our Nativity Fast we’re entrusted with the opportunity to renew and deepen our life in Christ, to grow in our love of God and neighbor, to strengthen our commitment to living out the Gospel—to “go and do likewise.” Today, we’re given the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which is thrust […]