20080810  During these campaign seasons, it is easy to get wrapped up in what the government can or cannot do for us and those whom we love, but we cannot forget the more fundamental truth that the fight to vanquish what really ails the world is not against oppression, or war, or even hunger, but the sin that gives rise to them.

20080803 Today St. Paul is “preaching to the choir”. Have you heard this term? During these Summer months, this term is especially appropriate – so many people are traveling that there have been Sundays when we literally have more folks in the choir loft than down here in the pews. St. Paul knows his audience and their great faith – so he shares a lesson with them that will challenge them where they are; a challenge that is equally appropriate to us here today.

20080720  St. Paul wants the God-fearing men of his day to be saved, but he is worried. He says that they have “zeal for God” (which is a good thing), but not according to knowledge (which is a bad thing). He is not talking about people who skip prayers and services, but those have made religion the center of their lives. They have made religion the center of their lives, but, “being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10: 3).

20080713  A homily on the need to rise above our passions and share the "water of life" with a thirsty world.

20080706  There is much anxiety in the world today. Gas prices have gone up, stressing already tight budgets. The locomotive growth of India and China, with the resultant demand for oil suggests that this trend will continue. Money problems in turn put stress on the family, an institution that has suffered from decades of assault – and is now showing serious signs of weakness. The normalization of pre-marital sex, divorce and illegitimacy is a logical – if misguided – attempt by society to find a new equilibrium.

20080629  This homily was given at All Saints Camp (UOC-USA) in Emlenton, PA, during the middle Sunday of the two-week Church School Camp.

20080622  Today we celebrate the “great cloud of witnesses” that surround us, encouraging us to ”run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2).

20080615  The Holy Spirit is hard to understand – we know and confess that God is “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – One God”. But what is this Holy Spirit?

20080609  Today, on the Sunday before Pentecost, we celebrate the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Like so many things in our Holy Orthodox Faith, the central place given to this – and all the Ecumenical Councils – places us in direct contrast to the world.

Today is the second of a series of podcasts based on a class we teach here at St. Michael’s, called “Our Faith: Orthodox Christianity at St. Michael’s”. This set of classes is designed to explore Orthodox Christianity as it is practiced at St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church. As such, it will cover the fundamental tenets of our faith as they are lived in our personal lives, our homes, our community, and our parish. The rest of the classes will be published as time permits.