Homily for Palm Sunday in the Orthodox Church

      Philippians 4:4-9 John 12:1-18             Human beings are blessed with the ability to focus on what is most important. So much of what we do at work or school, for example, requires that we tune out distractions and give our minds to the task before us.             St. Paul reminds us that we especially need to do so in the Christian life by giving our minds to what is…

There is Hope for Power-Hungry Disciples, a Prostitute, and Us: Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent in the Orthodox Church

  Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 10:32-45            The tragic events of the last week both in Boston and in West have reminded us all of the brokenness, pain, and corruption of life in the world as we know it.  God did not create humanity for terrorist bombings, industrial explosions, fear, mourning, and suffering, but to participate in the peace, joy, and holiness of the heavenly Kingdom even as we…

“Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief”: Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent in the Orthodox Church

  Hebrews 6:13-20 Mark 9:17-30            Sometimes we stand before God with more doubt than belief, with more despair than hope.  Sometimes our worries and fears increase; the joy of life slips away and we feel rotten.  Maybe it’s our health, the problems of our loved ones, stress about a busy schedule, or other matters at home, at work, or with our friends.  We are sometimes simply at the end of our rope.…

Adoration of the Holy Cross: Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent in the Orthodox Church

  Hebrews 4:14-5:6 Mark 8:34-9:1              In any kind of difficult challenge, it’s always inspiring to know that you are half way to the end.  It might be a race, a school year, or a project at work; if you’ve made it this far, you know that you can eventually reach your goal.             We are now half way through the season of Lent, and the Church…

St. Gregory Palamas and the Healing of our Paralysis: Homily for the Second Sunday of Great Lent in the Orthodox Church

  Hebrews 1:10-2:3 Mark 2:1-12             Think for a moment how you would feel if you went to the doctor with a serious health problem and were simply told medical facts about yourcondition and that you were an interesting case.  You would probably not be happy at all because you go to a physician to be healed, not simply to learn truths that in and of themselves…