If we want to be like Jesus Christ, then we have to worship Him by sacrificing to Him. Sacrifice always means giving over something valuable that then becomes a means of sharing and communion with God. A Christianity that is convenient, that is without sacrifice, is not the true Christianity that worships Christ.
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost / Sixth Sunday of Matthew, July 8, 2018 Romans 12:6-14; Matthew 9:1-8 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Today I would like to speak about blessing and cursing. Our epistle reading from Romans 12 ends with this verse: “Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse”…
Ss. Cosmas & Damian of Rome / Fifth Sunday of Matthew, July 1, 2018 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:8; Matthew 8:28-9:1 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. What is love? If you grew up when I did, you probably now have that 1993 Haddaway song in your head. But if you don’t know what…
Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, May 6, 2018 Acts 11:19-30; John 4:5-42 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Christ is risen! Today let us begin by contemplating the meaning of water. The Gospel we read today is focused quite literally on water, in which Jesus meets with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s…
Sunday of the Adoration of the Holy Cross, March 11, 2018 Hebrews 4:14-5:6; Mark 8:34-9:1 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. These are the words of the Lord Jesus. If you are like…
Sunday of the Prodigal Son, February 4, 2018 2 Corinthians 6:12-20; Luke 15:11-32 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. When I was on the Holy Mountain of Athos over the past couple of weeks, I asked the question and heard others ask the question of what we are to bring back with…
Sunday after Theophany, January 14, 2018 Ephesians 4:7-13; Matthew 4:12-17 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17) With the baptism of Jesus, His public preaching ministry begins, and it is said that with this…
Sunday before the Theophany of Christ, December 31, 2017 2 Timothy 4:5-8; Mark 1:1-8 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. Be watchful in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (II Tim. 4:5). These are the words of St. Paul’s admonitions to his disciple St. Timothy…