It's easy to not take seriously today's Gospel reading (Matthew 6:22-33). But are we hearing it correctly? Is Jesus really telling us that food and clothing will drop down from heaven? No, the key statements are at the beginning and the end! What comes in between is poetry! No one can serve two masters…. You cannot serve God …
The Tao of All American Saints
Sermon for July 3rd, Second Sunday of Matthew & Sunday of the Synaxis of All American Saints Two Gospel readings today: the normal reading for the Second Sunday After Pentecost (Matthew 4:18-23) and also for The Synaxis of All American Saints (Matthew 4:25-5:12). The Synaxis of All American Saints is observed on this Second Sunday …
“… and also much cattle”
In the Liturgy of Holy Saturday, the Orthodox Church includes 15 readings from the Old Testament - mostly readings that directly or symbolically refer to the Passover, to Resurrection, or to Baptism. These readings are remnants of the original all-night Paschal Vigil which developed in the church during the centuries of its prominence in the Roman …
A goal without a plan opens doors
The Liturgy readings on this Third Sunday of Pascha (Acts 6:1-7; Mark 15:43-16:8) present us with two different types of Christians. But perhaps the most important message today is more mystical.
A Mother’s Day Answer to Thomas
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you… Thus begins the first letter of …
Life as an Entrance
A man was opening a new business and one of his friends sent him flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site and the owner read the card, which said: "Rest in Peace." The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of the obvious …
Operatic Beauty for Earth Day
Wie dünkt mich doch die Aue heut so schön!... "How fair seem the meadows today!... never did I see so fresh and charming the grass, the blossoms and flowers, nor did they smell so sweet of youth or speak with such tender love to me." With these words spoken by Parsifal begins the "Good Friday …
A Holy Earth for Earth Day
Δόστου, Χριστέ μου, τη στερνή χαρά να ιδή και πάλι τη γνώριμή του τη ζωή κοντά στο ακροθαλάσσι Άχ! έτσι αθώα κι έτσι απλά κι αγνά την είχε ψάλει που της αξίζει εκεί ψηλά μαζί μ΄αυτόν ν΄αγιάσει. This little verse was composed by a poet, Λάμπρος Πορφύρας, in memory of one of the most important writers …
Perfected in forgiveness
As I think upon the Cross of Jesus Christ today, I remember the first words that Jesus spoke on the Cross: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Forgiveness, the hardest thing for human beings to do. Yet, the thing most characteristic of the one who was God and Man! …
Take hold of your life!
I woke up this morning with a song that I kept singing quietly all morning: Κράτησα τη ζωή μου κράτησα τη ζωή μου ταξιδεύοντας ανάμεσα στα κίτρινα δέντρα κατά το πλάγιασμα της βροχής σε σιωπηλές πλαγιές φορτωμένες με τα φύλλα της οξιάς, καμιά φωτιά στην κορυφή τους˙ βραδιάζει. The very first line is the hardest to translate, for me at …
Ancient Answers 