Luke 5:1-11 The calling of the Apostles: be fishers of men! [a note on the purpose of the homily; it convicts, but does not accuse. We don’t give the “Devil’s Homily”.] Why? Why is the Gospel so important? [explain] Profound claim: “it is no longer I who live but Christ (GOD!!!!) who lives in me!” […]
Homily Notes: Christianity is not a change of uniform, but a change of heart
October 2, 2016 By
Galatians 2:16-20 St. Matthew 22:45-46; St. Mark 8:34-9:1 Today, Christ tells us that the most important commandment is; “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Is this even possible? It may not be. After all, Christ also said that; It is easier […]
Homily Notes: Snakes, Poles, the Cross, and our Hero’s Journey
September 25, 2016 By
A.k.a. A homily on the Old Testament?! Matthew 22:1-14 (The Wedding Feast) & John 3:13-18 Exodus is one of the most powerful stories of human history: from bondage to freedom The place of this story created the capacity in the human heart for the coming of Christ Our own “hero’s journey” can follow the same […]
For Labor Day Sunday: hard work as virtuous action
September 3, 2016 By
On this Labor Day weekend, let us rededicate ourselves to Christ and His work. We know what happens outside these doors when people refuse to work. What it does to their own souls, what it does to our economy, and what it does to our culture. And please don’t misunderstand me, I am not talking […]
Homily Notes: Patience and the Redemption of the World
August 14, 2016 By
Reflection on the Cross For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where […]
Homily on Romans 15:1-2: On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand!
August 7, 2016 By
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (Romans 15:1-2) This is one of the most wonderful pieces of advice in the Bible, but it goes against our culture and some of […]
Homily: A Reflection on Romans 12:10-14
July 31, 2016 By
[A homily on the power of “doing unto others…”; “if you can’t say something nice…” and “bless your heart.”] Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; […]
Notes for a Basic Christian Homily
July 17, 2016 By
Romans 6:18-23 (Here’s St. John Chrysostom’s homily on this reading) Saint Paul ends today’s epistle ends with a restatement of the Gospel, i.e. the Good News; the thing that is supposedly central to our identity and calling as Christians: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through […]
Homily Notes: Why worship is the right response to chaos
July 10, 2016 By
Romans 5:1-10 Matthew 6:22-33 It has been a difficult week. It is meet and right for us to gather together and worship in difficult times; Because worship reminds us who we are – not victims or partisans in a troubled world, but sons and daughters of God, saved through the one who came not to […]
Homily Notes: Like Politics, Salvation is Local
June 26, 2016 By
Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30 Like Politics, Salvation is Loval The Problem: How do we reconcile the Gospel that we have just heard – a very demanding call that we give up everything and take up our cross – with something Jesus says just in the very next chapter; “Come to me, all who labor and […]
