On the Sunday of the Paralytic, this homily explores Christ’s piercing question: “Do you want to be made well?” It examines our tendency to respond not with repentance, but with explanation—justifying our condition rather than opening ourselves to healing. Grounded in the Church’s therapeutic vision of salvation, it calls us to move beyond self-justification and […]

On the Sunday of the Myrrhbearers, this homily examines the temptation to treat Christ as a figure of the past rather than the Living Lord. It explores how even faithful Christians can reduce Him to something studied at a distance—especially in an age of endless religious content. Grounded in the Church’s sacramental and communal life, […]

This homily reflects on belief as trust that creates communion and makes true life possible in Christ. Drawing on the encounter with Thomas, it shows how Christ patiently leads honest doubt into faith while calling us away from prideful questioning that blocks love. — St. Thomas Sunday St. John 20:19–31 Does God hate doubt? Does […]

The Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt The life of St. Mary of Egypt shows that healing begins when we are willing to let go of what we think we cannot live without. Her struggle with memory and desire mirrors our own battles with distraction and constant stimulation. In these final weeks of Lent, we […]

The Sunday of the Ladder reminds us that the Christian life is not a sprint, but a long obedience marked by small, repeated acts of faithfulness. St. John shows that the real struggle takes place in our thoughts, where healing begins with recognizing them and learning to turn back to Christ. Step by step, through […]

Great Lent 2026; Sunday of the Cross “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Christ is talking as if “coming after” or “following” Him is something good. What is that all about? Where is He going? Where is He leading us? Christ […]

In a world shaped by outrage and constant commentary, the Christian calling is different. Drawing on Scripture, the Desert Fathers, and the theology of St. Gregory Palamas, this homily explores why Christians must learn to speak in ways that build up rather than tear down. Sometimes the most faithful response is simply silence. — Homily […]

Meatfare/The Last Judgment Matthew 25:31-46  On the Sunday of the Last Judgment, the Gospel reveals that judgment takes place not in a courtroom, but in the throne room of God—a reality the Church enters every Sunday in the Divine Liturgy. This homily explores how worship forms repentance, trains us in mercy, and sends us into […]

The Father Who Does Not ControlA Homily on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son St. Luke 15:11-31 In the parable of the Prodigal Son, our attention is often drawn to the repentance of the younger son or to the resentment of the elder. But before we look at either son, we must first look carefully […]

Beyond Hunger: Fasting, Formation, and the Way Back to Life Fr. Anthony Perkins. [Talk given at the 2026 Winter Antiochian DOMSE Retreat] Introduction When we hear the word fasting, most of us immediately think about food—what we can eat, what we cannot eat, and whether we are doing it right. But fasting is much older, […]