Category Archives: Sunday Sermons

Contrary to a popular holiday meme, Mary and Joseph were not indigent, and they were not refugees. They had no expectations of anyone else providing for their needs and went to the inn knowing payment would be expected. Joseph was a tradesman—a carpenter—and they were in Bethlehem to register themselves in a census so thatContinue reading “The Scandal of a Vulnerable God”

This week we celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos in the temple. This is one of the three great feasts—the other two being the Nativity of the Theotokos and the Dormition of the Theotokos—whose stories are not told in any of the four canonical Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The storyContinue reading “What Is Impossible?”

The best thing that could be said about the first battle there was that it had been a stalemate. Though the British Eighth Army had stopped the Axis Powers’ Eastward advance toward Alexandria, some fifty miles away, the month-long battle the previous July had cost them 13000 casualties and the commanding general estimated that theyContinue reading “Thank You for Your Service-AND Your Example”

The empire was collapsing. Over several decades the followers of the new religion of Mohammed pushed their way out of Arabia conquering as they went. First fell the ancient See of Jerusalem, the Holy Land where the Lord was born, lived and conducted His earthly ministry, and then Antioch, whose first bishop was St. IgnatiusContinue reading “Icons: Not Just for Clicks”

Whether it’s the way things used to be or the way things are now or some combination thereof, all of us have some vision of the way things ought to be. It’s a vision to which we attach much value, often investing significant emotional capital in it. And because of our investment we become farContinue reading “Enter Into Grief and Be Light”

It is often said that if the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem looks like a nail. And, as anyone who has tried to drive a crosshead screw with a flathead screwdriver can attest, you may get the job done, but the result won’t be pretty – or easy. Though allContinue reading “Offer Your Hammer to God”

In a remarkable and wonderful coincidence, we celebrate the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council on Father’s Day. This also happens to be the feast day St. Tychon of Amathus, whose relationship with his father was close, formative, and—in at least on case—miraculous.Young Tychon’s father was a baker in Cyprus, who charged his son withContinue reading “Happy Fathers (of the Church) Day”

The first time I tried driving off-road solo, I got stuck. The Dodge I still drive has its oil filter at the bottom of the engine in front of the oil pan in an exposed place, so I had to be careful about straddling rock formations. However, I had already done some rather technical drivingContinue reading “Service Isn’t Optional”

Of the many songs that have stuck with me since my childhood, one is from a Salvation Army Musical titled Glory. The song is called “The Name of Jesus,” and I think of it sometimes when I read Orthodox teaching about the Jesus prayer, because the song’s lyrics mention that “the powers of darkness inContinue reading “Be Not Afraid”

In an episode of the television show House, a sick woman who is ill-treated by her boss plans to return to work for the same boss after her release from the hospital until she is confronted with a fatal prognosis. Facing her impending death, she resolves to do things differently in her remaining time andContinue reading “Death Changes Everything”