Author: Fr. Philip LeMasters

Pastor of St. Luke Orthodox Church in Abilene, Texas, Fr. Philip is also Professor of Religion at McMurry University and a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York, where he holds an appointment as Professor of Christian Ethics. His most recent book is The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity (Cascade Books, 2013).

Christ Restores our True Personhood: Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church

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Luke 8:26-39            We are surely not aware of all the assumptions that we make about ourselves and about other people.  Sometimes how we view ourselves or others becomes clear when something unexpected happens, whether for good or for bad.  We can be greatly surprised when someone we know well behaves differently than we had expected.  Sometimes we surprise even ourselves in how we respond to a challenge…

Growing to Maturity as Brilliant Icons of Christ: Homily for the Sunday of Holy Fathers of Seventh Ecumenical Council and the Fourth Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church

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Titus 3:8-15; Luke 8:5-15           The Church is filled with beautiful icons, but they are not mere works of religious art.  They show that the Savior has made us participants by grace in His deified humanity so that we also may shine brightly with the divine glory.  The icons invite us to share in the blessedness that Christ has brought to those who bear the image and likeness…

Hope Only in the One Who Conquered Death: Homily for the Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost and the Third Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church

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2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Luke 7:11-16             Many people struggle today to have hope.  The deep problems of our society and world, as well those of our own families and personal lives, can easily overwhelm our trust that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) Even as the Bible is painfully honest about the failings and imperfections of the…

In Order Not To Receive God’s Grace in Vain, We Must Love Our Enemies: Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost and the Second Sunday of Luke in the Orthodox Church

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2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Luke 6:31-36   Today’s epistle reading begins with a very interesting statement: “Brethren, since we are fellow workers, we entreat you also not to receive the grace of God in vain.”  Right before this statement, St. Paul refers to his apostolic ministry as one of working together with God “as ambassadors of Christ” who call the confused Corinthians “to be reconciled to God.”  (2 Cor. 5: 20-21)  He addresses…

Fulfilling our Vocations as “Earthen Vessels”: Homily for the 15th Sunday After Pentecost, the 1st Sunday of Luke, and Our Righteous Mother Euphrosyne in the Orthodox Church

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2 Corinthians 4:6-15; Luke 5:1-11            I suspect that many of the crises of our society today have at least something to do with people not having a profound sense of purpose for their lives.  Those made in God’s image and likeness will not find satisfaction in a life without a substantive goal or purpose. If we are not offering ourselves to Him, we will offer ourselves to whatever false gods distract us…