[Warm up on metaphors: Learning the right lesson… not the wrong one.] Luke 15:11-32 Today’s message; “Let’s get out there and break something!” The lesson of the Prodigal is that when we mess up our lives we need to wake up and come to our senses. God is our understanding Father; not our judgmental and […]
Homily Notes: The Feast of the St Sophia Seminary Chapel
February 11, 2017 By
Homily on the Love of Clergy The homily was given on 2/11 at the celebration of the chapel feast. Hebrews 13:7-16 (Hierarchs) Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. […]
OT Bible Study #12 – The Crossing of the Red Sea
February 8, 2017 By
Bible Study #13: The Crossing of the Red Sea Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we […]
Homily Notes: A Pregnant Moment with the Publican and Pharisee
February 5, 2017 By
Publican and the Pharisee The concept of the seed (example of Ukrainian and American householders). A small thing that can grow into something wonderful. Examples of seeds as metaphors: Luke 13:18-19. Then Jesus said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which […]
Talk: Church as Hospital and Great Lent as Good Medicine
February 5, 2017 By
Spiritually Speaking (2/5/2017) Church as Hospital and Great Lent as Good Medicine Today we begin the Triodion season. As a hospital led by the Great Physician, the Orthodox Church is very intentional about the way it guides us from our life of delusion and sickness towards a healthy and joyful one lived in the fullness […]
Home Bible Study – The Publican and the Pharisee
February 2, 2017 By
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee St. Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy 3:10-15 TIMOTHY, my son, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at lconion, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet […]
OT Bible Study #12 – The Last Plague and the Passover
February 1, 2017 By
Bible Study #12 The Final Plague and the Passover Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we […]
Homily Notes on Zacchaeus Sunday: What makes a home?
January 29, 2017 By
What is it that makes a home a home? Luke 19:1-10 Walk in – can you tell (that a place is a home)? The feeling? Feelings and intuitionare unreliable; generally, they are the way the subconscious mind puts together other indicators But to the sense our feelings are reliable, some places are haunted by memories […]
OT Bible Study #11: The Plagues as a Cosmic Warfare
January 26, 2017 By
Bible Study #11 The Plagues as Cosmic Warfare Make the pure light of Your divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Your Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that overcoming all worldly desires, we may pursue […]
Homily Notes: Sunday before Theophany
January 15, 2017 By
Mark 1:1-8 With thanks to Fr. Antony Hughes Christ is Born! Gospel of Mark: not an infancy story. St. John the Baptist (last of the OT prophets: classic) John the Baptist: Two messages First: repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins Second: about the Messiah that was coming Was holier than him (thong of […]
