Jacob and His Well: Baptism for the Nations

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


Why Repent? What Kingdom?

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


The Four-Point Spiritual Life

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


There is No Christmas and No Church Without History

Sunday before the Nativity / Eve of the Nativity, December 24, 2017 Hebrews 11:9-10, 32-40; Matthew 1:1-15 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. One of the things that strikes people who encounter the Orthodox Church for the first time is that we have a very strong emphasis on history. It’s everywhere in


Why Do We Do Ministry Without God?

Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost / Tenth Sunday of Luke, December 10, 2017 Ephesians 6:10-17; Luke 13:10-17 In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of