The Shocking Response of Christ to the Humble Faith of the Centurion: Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Matthew in the Orthodox Church

· Fr. Philip LeMasters
Matthew 8: 5-13           Our Lord’s ministry violated many of the religious and cultural sensibilities of first-century Palestine.  Contrary to all expectations for the Jewish Messiah, He asked for a drink of water from a Samaritan woman, engaged in an extended spiritual conversation with her, and then spent two days in a Samaritan village.  He invited Himself to the home of Zacchaeus, a corrupt collector of taxes for…

Becoming Receptive to the Light of Christ Through Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving: Homily for the Third Sunday After Pentecost and the Third Sunday of Matthew in the Orthodox Church

· Fr. Philip LeMasters
Romans 5:1-10; Matthew 6:22-33           It is often easy to see when other people are blind to what ought to be an obvious truth.  There is a common human tendency to become so focused on something that we lose the ability to see clearly.  That is especially the case when we are overcome with worry and fear to the point that we do not have a realistic perspective…

Answering the Call to “Follow Me” Through the Apostles Fast: Homily for the Second Sunday after Pentecost & Second Sunday of Matthew in the Orthodox Church

· Fr. Philip LeMasters
Romans 2:10-16; Matthew 4:18-23            There is a clear logic to the feasts and commemorations of the Church during this time of year.  Celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is followed by the Sunday of All Saints, for all who fulfill the basic human vocation to become like God in holiness do so by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit within their hearts.  Pentecost and All Saints remind us…

To Become Holy Is to be Healed: Homily for the Sunday of All Saints in the Orthodox Church

· Fr. Philip LeMasters
Hebrews 11:33-12:2; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30            The word “saint” simply means “holy.”  On this first Sunday after Pentecost, we commemorate all those who are so filled with the Holy Spirit that they shine brightly with holiness.  They bear witness to the meaning of Pentecost, for it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that people fulfill their calling to become like God in holiness as they…

Becoming Persons in Communion with God and One Another by the Holy Spirit: Homily for the Great Feast of Pentecost in the Orthodox Church

· Fr. Philip LeMasters
Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52; 8:12           On today’s great feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the healing of what lies at the very root of our alienation from one another.  At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes upon on the Apostles as they are gathered together in obedience to the command of the risen Lord.  The same divine breath which first gave us life from the dust of the earth…