Today is both a day of preparation as it is a day of decision. In earthly terms, a new year has been born and we’ve entered into a new time, filled with new decisions, new joys, new trials, and new opportunities. We’re also at the door of Theophany, which itself, in heavenly terms, represents to […]
27th Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Unity 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. Many now describe our society as officially “post-Christian” and those who’ve had to […]
Orthodox Homily on the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior of Christ 2014
On this holy day we call into the present those glorious, awesome and life-saving events that surround the miraculous birth of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. This is the day on which God has fashioned all things anew. This is the day on which the whole universe is filled with light and all […]
26th Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Holy Ancestors of Christ
Today on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of Christ we remember those righteous ancestors of Christ 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 […]
25th Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Holy Forefathers of Christ
Today the herald of the Feast of the Nativity bids us be attentive: 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, […]
24th Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Healing of the Ten Lepers
In today’s Gospel, ten lepers appeal to Christ God for healing that He alone gives. All ten were healed, but only one came back to Christ, prostrating himself before Him who gives life to all people, and thanking God for the healing He received from Him. Brothers and sisters, you and I are like those […]
23rd Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Rich Young Man
During the fasting of the periods of the Church, particularly during the Nativity Fast and Great Lent, we are drawn to think about our fasting, our praying, and our charitable giving. These are all good things we should be doing, along with keeping the commandments of God. But if they become an end in themselves, […]
21st Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Rich Man
In the uncertain times we live in, with the economy, politics, immorality, it can be even more tempting to put on 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 […]
20th Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on the Good Samaritan
Here, on the doorstep of the Nativity Fast—yes, that’s right, we’re beginning the journey to the Holy Nativity this Friday—we’re given the opportunity to renew and deepen our life in Christ, to grow in our love of God and neighbor, and strengthen our commitment to living out the Gospel—to “go and do likewise.” Christ gives […]
19th Sunday after Pentecost – Orthodox Homily on Healing
Today is the Synaxis of the Holy Unmercenary Healers or, as they are called in some traditions of the Church—“Physicians without silver”, which still has a resonance in our day, given the exorbitant costs of medical care and health insurance premiums. We remember this day these Holy Physicians without silver: Panteleimon, Cyril and John, Cosma […]