Opening prayer (from the Prayer before the Gospel during the Diving Liturgy) Make the pure light of Thy divine knowledge shine in our hearts, Loving Master, and open the eyes of our minds that we may understand the message of Thy Gospel. Instill also in us reverence for Thy blessed commandments, so that overcoming all […]
Class – Orthodoxy and the Problem of Pride
In this, the first part of a series (Fall, Sunday afternoon adult education), Fr. Anthony provides an introduction to the Orthodox conception of the mind, how pride corrupts it, and how Orthodoxy heals and perfects it. Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!
Homily – Vineyards, Parishes, and Minds
St. Matthew 21:33-42. The Parable of the Vineyard. After describing the most immediate meaning of the parable (a warning and prophecy to the Jewish leaders), Fr. Anthony applies the lessons to the mission of the parish and the transformation of the mind. Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!
Homily – Not Salvation but Perfection
Matthew 19:16-26. The reading on the rich young man, the camel, and the needle. After wrapping up his series on community virtues (let all be done in love), Fr. Anthony draws on St. Nikolai Velimirovic, to distinguish between eternal life (salvation) and perfection (theosis). [Note – the point Fr. Anthony was making about not becoming […]
Fr. Eugen Rosu – Church Ministries on a Shoestring Budget
Today it is my blessing to share an interview with Fr. Eugen Rosu. Fr. Eugen has been a priest for 31 years, married for 32 years, and enjoying fatherhood for 11 years. He recently published the book “Church Ministries on a Shoestring Budget” to share his experience and encourage evangelism. The book offers information on […]
Homily – Forgiveness May Involve Boundaries or Goodbye
Matthew 18:23-35. The parable on forgiveness (the wicked servant). God desires us to be one as He is one. This is good and beautiful (!), but it isn’t easy because we (unlike God) we are not holy! This means that we need to learn to forgive. After assuring us that God requires forgiveness but NOT […]
Homily – Ignore the Orcs
In this homily on the healing/exorcism of the lunatic (St. Matthew 17:14-23), after talking about the life skill of monitoring the response to and use of compliments and criticism, Fr. Anthony continues his metaphor of the mind as terrain that has considerable ungoverned territory. The prayer and fasting that Christ says is required for advanced […]
Homily – Transfiguration to Prepare us for the Crucifixion of Christ (and Church)
Matthew 17:1-9. Fr. Anthony shares St. Leo’s wisdom in drawing our attention to the way Transfiguration prepares us for the persecution of both Christ and His Church. Oh, and Fr. Anthony tried out a new Bluetooth mic. Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!
Homily – Bring What You Have (Feeding 5000+)
Matthew 14:14-22 (Feeding the Five Thousand). After sharing a life-skill for living in community (ie leading with patience), Fr. Anthony shares some of the levels of meaning the Church provides when it preaches/teaches on the feeding of the five thousand. He finishes with St. John Chrysostom’s point about bringing what you have so the Lord […]
Homily – Connect with and then Heal the Weak
Romans 15:1-7. St. Paul didn’t want Christians to let their pieties around food keep them from connecting with and evangelizing their neighbors. We might not do this with food, but we are certainly tempted to do it with our national and ecclesial politics, among other things. Today Fr. Anthony encourages us to meet people where they […]