- "Already
ye are clean by reason of the word which i have spoken to you" A sinner who abides in
the vine is clean! How do we understand this! John 15:3 (mp3 format)
John 15:3
2013-11-08
SYNOPSIS:In His great discourse
before His passion, the Lord makes the amazing statement: "Already ye are clean by
reason of the word which I have spoken to you". He was saying this to confused men who
were soon to flee from Him in fear. How are we to understand His words? This is very
important, especially for sinners who feel worthless and dirty because of their sins.
- Hieromartyr
Zenobius and his sister Zenobia Oct 30 "Life without Christ is not life but death,
whereas death for the sake of Christ is not death but life." (mp3 format)
2013-11-12
SYNOPSIS:The life of Hieromartyr Zenobius and his
sister Zenobia (Oct 30/ Nov 12), zeroing in on the most important part: "Life without
Christ is not life but death, whereas death for the sake of Christ is not death but
life."
- Answer
to the claim that Jesus never explicitly condemned homosexuality. What are some of the
reasons that people justify homosexual activity? (mp3 format)
2013-11-13
SYNOPSIS:A supposed gotcha that people use to
support homosexuality is that Jesus never mentioned it in the Gospels. Therefore, according
to their logic, that which was not mentioned was not condemned. The reasons for this
scriptural claim are legion, and we look at several of them, the first of which is, of
course, scriptural illiteracy.
- "Most
Holy Theotokos save us" Why do we say this? Prayer to the Saints. (mp3 format)
2013-11-23
SYNOPSIS:Something that gets the attention of
Western believers and sometimes makes them even think they are witnessing blasphemy is our
oft repeated petition to the Mother of God: "Most Holy Theotokos save us!" People
often do not like and rarely benefit from something what they do not understand. We explain
the very reasonable reasons for this petition and why it is important.
- Is
it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day? I will have mercy and not sacrifice. (mp3 format)
Matthew 12:10, Matthew 12:7
2013-11-26
SYNOPSIS:Another
question in Scripture that we must never ask, but know the answer to: "Is it lawful to
heal on the Sabbath day?"
- And
other seed fell upon rocky placed and it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
Patience. (mp3 format)
Matthew 13:5
2013-11-27
SYNOPSIS:The second kind of seed
mentioned in the parable of the sower has a parenthetical statement that describes it:
"and forthwith they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth" What does
this teach us? Patience.
- "When
the Lord turned again the captivity of Sion, we became as men that are comforted" What
is this comfort? (mp3 format)
Psalm 125:1-2
2013-12-17
SYNOPSIS:Psalm 125 exclaims
"We became as men that are comforted." Everybody needs comfort. What is the
comfort the Psalm is referring to?
- "Lord,
my heart is not exalted, nor are mine eyes become lofty." A messianic psalm that
describes Jesus Christ and instructs us in how to live. (mp3 format)
Psalm 130
2013-12-18
SYNOPSIS:Most Psalms are Messianic
(describe Jesus Christ in some way), and Psalm 130 does this AND instructs us in the all
important virtue of humility.
- "Behold
now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity?" Unity,
vesting and the Divine Liturgy. (mp3 format)
Psalm 132:1-2
2013-12-19
SYNOPSIS:Psalm 132:2 is use in
the vesting prayers of the priest. All would do well to remember the context of this prayer
and how Divine Liturgy should be the ultimate expression of unity. Of course, we must
understand the Christian meaning of "unity" which differs quite a lot from that of
the world.
- God hates lying. Do not lie because it is against the nature of
God. All the comandments must be followed because the reflect the nature of God. (mp3
format)
2013-12-20
SYNOPSIS:A sermon by Fr John Whiteford about lying
(the ninth commandment)
(http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/amvon/thou_shalt_not_bear_false_witness) inspired
these thoughts. God hates lying. To lie is to be unlike God. The reason for every
commandment is that not following it means we act in opposition to God's nature. Also where
all commandments are derived from. We must internalize the reason to follow the
commandments!
- "Joseph
was minded to put her away privily." Never cause a surrogate to do what you will not
do. (mp3 format)
Matthew 1:19
2013-12-21
SYNOPSIS:The Gospel tells us
that when Joseph was aware of the pregnancy of Mary and thought she had sinned, he wanted to
divorce her secretly. If he had accused he, he would have been required to cast the first
stone when she was executed. This magnanimous gesture on the part of the righteous Joseph
models for us a very important principle, which, alas, we often ignore: NEVER cause a
surrogate to do something you would not do. This will save us from much sin.
- Prayer
for others is more important than anything else we do. The prayer of a pastor. (mp3
format)
2013-12-22
SYNOPSIS:A pastor gives lots of sermons, teaches,
hears many confessions, gives counsel countless times, and many other things. The most
important thing a pastor and a Christian must do: prayer. Success should never be measured.
We must pray; our prayer will do those we minister to more good than all the other things we
do. Also, regarding confidence in our personal prayers and in this context, the intercessory
prayer tradition in our parish. If we are not so good at praying, why should we still
pray?
- "But
she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." Pleasure is not the purpose of
life! Perfection is the purpose of life! (HTML format)
1 Timothy 5:6
2013-12-23
Also in Format:
Word
DOC - The
dangerous time after sin; repent, do not just be sorry. (mp3 format)
Matthew 27:3-5
2014-01-01
SYNOPSIS:Judas was sorry that
he betrayed Christ (Matthew 27:3-5), but he did not repent. Repentance is more than sorrow.
The time after sin is dangerous; we must learn how to turn our sorrow, shame and the bad
feelings we have about ourselves into active and healing repentance.
- "Friend,
wherefore art thou come?" Have the right reason for everything. (mp3 format)
Matthew 26:49-50
2014-01-03
SYNOPSIS:We must answer all
questions in the Gospels, such as that of Jesus to Judas when he came to the garden to
betray Him: "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" this question must be answered
before we do anything. Too much of what we do has hidden agendas that even we are not aware
of. The true Christian knows why he does everything. This is a learned skill.
- Everyone
should undestand John Chapter 3. Exegesis of John 3:1-21: being born again, baptism,
incarnatinon, Ascension,cross and more: it is in there. (mp3 format)
John 3:1-21
2014-01-04
SYNOPSIS:Exegesis of John
3:1-1-21. Every catechuman should hear this exegesis and understand this Scripture. It
covers everything here: being born again, Baptism, the Holy Spirit, the Incarnation, the
Ascension, Relationships, the Cross. All of it we must know and understand.
- The
Coke advertisement "open Happiness" illustrates the approach too many have to life
and religion. (mp3 format)
2014-01-10
SYNOPSIS:Coke has a billboard with the "Coke
bear" drinking a Coke, with the words "Open happiness" This sums up our
culture which also reaches into the the way many people approach religion and God. How do we
find happiness?
- A
pastoral answer to the question: "How do you do it all?" I yam what I yam,
History, Prayer, Expectations. (HTML format)
- Why
are there so many "cheating" songs? There is a good reason, and it is related to
the role of sex and union with God. (mp3 format)
2014-01-14
SYNOPSIS:Why are there so many cheating songs? Why
do sexually active people almost always feel getting "cheated" on is a bad thing?
This is related to our role as creators, a God-like thing we are entrusted with from our
Creator. Only some kinds of sex can help us attain union with God.
- "It
is a sin to be scandalized by our own sinfulness." Commentary on this saying &
Exegesis of James 1 (mp3 format)
2014-01-24
SYNOPSIS:"It is a sin to be scandalized by
our own sinfulness" is a saying attributed to Thomas Aquinas that is wholly Orthodox,
but not well understood. Let us understand this very important aspect of victorious
spiritual life. James the Brother of the Lord will help us.
- "Soldiers
guarded Christ as they would a sleeping King" Reality and our perceptions. Beauty and
necessity of the vigil. (mp3 format)
Sunday Matins Sessional Hymn Tone 6
2014-01-28
SYNOPSIS:Exegesis of Sunday Matins Sessional hymn: "Life lay in the tomb,
and a seal was affixed to the stone. Soldiers guarded Christ as they would a sleeping King,
and the Lord arose, invisibly smiting his enemies." Reality is always true, whether we
recognize it our not. We must learn to recognize it. Also an apology for vigil.
- Full
Voice (Word DOC format)
Six Meditations On The Hymns Of The Publican The Pharisee
2014-02-08
- Full
Voice (Word DOC format)
Triodion Hymns For The Sunday Of Forgiveness The Casting Out Of Adam From
Paradise
2014-03-02
- "Ye
that eat the bread of sorrow, rouse yourselves after resting" Do not be afraid to be
sad; good sadness always brings happiness. (mp3 format)
Psalm 126:2
2014-03-20
SYNOPSIS:Commentary on Psalm
126:2: "Ye that eat the bread of sorrow, rouse yourselves after resting" True
Christianity feels sorrow, which always leads to joy. People are afraid of sorrow! Do not be
afraid, but cultivate good sorrow.
- "They
that observe vain and false things have abandoned mercy for themselves." Sobering and
comforting at the same time. (mp3 format)
Biblical Ode 6. Jonah 2:9
2014-03-27
SYNOPSIS:The
Biblical Odes are used especially during Great Lent. and during weekday matins, this verse,
from ode 6, is always said: "They that observe vain and false things have abandoned
mercy for themselves." This is one of my favorite parts of the matins service, because
this pithy verse describes the reason for ALL our problems, and the simple solution. It is
sobering, rebuking, but also comforting. It reminds me of the oft read scripture: " For
I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor might, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord." (Rom 8:38-39) Nothing can separate the sinner from God, except if the sinner
observes vain and false things without repentance.
- Full
Voice (HTML format)
Do Not Say After Spending A Long Time At Prayer
Ladder-Of-Divine-Ascent-Step
28-29
2014-04-10
Also in Format:
Word
DOC - Do
not let the perfect be the enemey of the good. Absolutes happen in incremental steps. (mp3
format)
Acts 5:12-20
2014-04-27
SYNOPSIS:This reflection is a
reaction to good advice given to me after I gave a homily on Acts 5:12-20 before Matins on
Saturday evening. In that homily, I stated that it takes courage to be a Christian, and that
without courage you cannot be a Christian. This is an absolute statement, and is true, but
is very difficult for many to bear, and must be qualified. Courage, forgiveness, chastity
and many other virtues all have absolutes associated with them - some directly from the
mouth of Jesus, but the reaching of these absolutes happens in stages. This reflection is
meant to be an encouragement and call to arms for the weak among us - that is
everyone.
- Holy
Cross Pilgrimage Reflections - Airport, scurrying around, doctrine, groupthink (mp3
format)
2014-04-29
SYNOPSIS:Reflections about my Spring 2014
pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Holy Cross. In the Airport. Delays. Scurrying around. How
much do we do in life that really matters. How important is doctrine in Christianity? The
Donald Sterling controversy (a NBA basketball franchise owner who was recorded making
extremely racist comments) - it is more than it seems. The language used to condemn his
despicable actions will be the same language that will be used to condemn true Christianity.
We are witnessing groupthink. Lies are routinely told about those who believe in
"traditional Christian morality". Watch for it.
- Holy
Cross Pilgrimage Reflections - Early morning services, excitement about changing, moments of
clarity, stupid human tricks, morning birds. (mp3 format)
2014-05-01
SYNOPSIS:Reflections about my Spring 2014
pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Holy Cross. Getting up at 4 am. Early Services.
Perspective. Clarity for the mind. Excitement before a service begins; something is going to
change and get better. Precious moments of attention. Stupid human tricks. Always expect
something to change for the better. Missing stuff if a person only comes on Sunday. Morning
birds.
- Bad
habits, little changes, self control, and coffee (mp3 format)
2014-05-21
SYNOPSIS:A reflection about the benefits on
changing a little thing, increased self-control and the beneficial effect this has on our
bad habits, using decreasing coffee intake as a real world example. Apologies for a little
road noise; I often have ideas when I am driving home from a prison visit.
- Prison
visit and Liturgy in the Michael unit: a miracle happened, then I went paddle boarding. (mp3
format)
Prison Ministry
2014-07-02
SYNOPSIS:A description of a
prison visit to the Michael Unit, in Texas. I served liturgy, and participated in a miracle.
A little discursion about the best kinds of miracles. Also notes about how incredibly unique
prison liturgies are. Grace happens, but not always neatly or according to established
norms. Then a report on the celebrating priest adventures paddle boarding on the
(appropriately enough) Trinity River, and a gentle invitation to be part of our humble
prison ministry.
- There should be no spaces in the life of a Christian. Redeeming the time. What should we want for our children? (mp3 format)
2014-07-17
SYNOPSIS:Sitting alone in my eldest daughter's
house after caring for their cats, being philosophical. A few of my thoughts are
summarized here. There are signs of children all around, lots of signs of life being
lived. So much of our life is space. A Christian should not have space in his life. The
goal of a parent should be for their child to be better than them - not more educated or
"successful" but more holy, more whole, not broken in any way and to save
their souls. I wonder how did I do? It is funny that when you are better at something,
you no longer have to do it. I celebrated the liturgy today; this is the only time in my
life that there are no spaces, that everything I do is worthwhile. Time is precious. We
need to use it right, to redeem the time.
- Divine
Liturgy Part 01:The purpose & origin of Liturgy, the Kingdom, stuff that makes sense and makes
no sense, the deepest desire of a pastor for his flock. (mp3 format)
Divine Liturgy
2014-07-20
SYNOPSIS:The beginning of a series on
the Divine Liturgy. The greatest prayer. The purpose of liturgy. Very few understand it. The origin
of Liturgy. About the Kingdom. About what being alive really means. The deepest desire of a pastor
for his flock regarding the liturgy.
- The
advice "Love yourself" is a lie of the demons. Love always has an onject. (mp3 format)
2014-08-02
SYNOPSIS:Common secular wisdom is that many psychological
problems stem from a person not heeding the advice to "love yourself" Our whole culture
believes this lie. Who and how should Christians love and WHY? This question is answered by
understanding who God is and what love is.
- Full Voice (HTML format)
Commentary On Scripture
Matthew-01
2014-08-14
Also in Format:
Word
DOC - Patriarch
Joseph the All-Comely. A type of Christ. Patron of Texas Orthodox Prison Ministry (Adobe PDF
format)
2014-09-02
Also in Format:
Word
DOC SYNOPSIS:A summary of the life of Joseph the All-comely, and many
examples of how he is a type of Christ. Joseph is the patron for Orthodox prison ministry in
Texas.- Commentary
on Matthew Chapter 2. Holiness Happens. They departed into their own country another way. Excerpts
from a letter to prisoners. (HTML format)
Matthew 2:1-15
2014-09-22
Also in Format:
Word
DOC SYNOPSIS:The prisoners (in the Texas state prison system) that I see
weekly are reading the Gospels together. I have asked them to comment upon what they read, or ask
questions, and I promised to send them simple commentaries. These small offerings, which are usually
part of a letter sent to them, are not meant to be a scholarly exegesis, or comprehensive. We must
read the Gospels daily, and simply, and be like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, desiring to be
taught something edifying for our soul. Commentary on the first part of Matthewe chapter 2,
concentrating on Herod and the Magi.- Full Voice (Word DOC format)
Commentary On Scripture
Matthew-03
2014-09-22
- Full Voice (Word DOC format)
Commentary On Scripture
Matthew-04
2014-09-22
- Three
rules of Ministry (and of life): Just Show up, "Here am I", & Pray (mp3 format)
2014-10-04
SYNOPSIS:Christian ministry, which is (should be!) just
like ordinary Christian life, has three main rules, which I have learned over the years. I explain,
not in order of importance: 1. JUST SHOW UP 2. "HERE AM I" and, the most important, put
last for a metaphorical reason: PRAY.
