Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church
McKinney TX Homilies, scripture commentary, spiritual reflections
There is a common misunderstanding of the relationship between mysteries of Holy Confession and Holy Communion. There often seems to be a predominant idea that the link between these two is somehow a legal concrete thing – that there must be a 1:1 correspondence or some specific ratio and that any deviation from that ratio constitutes an abrogation of tradition or requires some kind of formal “dispensation”.
But this is not the relationship that really exists. …
LISTEN NOW Many more homilies on the unmerciful debtor at http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/index.html#11th_Sunday_of_Pentecost Matthew 18:23-35 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as… Continue reading Parable Of The Unmerciful Debtor. Gratitude and self Knowledge lead to forgiving others. 11th Sun of Pentecost 2010. Audio Homily.
As a portion of our Orthodox brethren are in the midst of the after feast of the Transfiguration, I thought I would make you aware of more Questions and answers abot this feast that serve as a catechetical instruction:
http://www.orthodox.net/questions/transfiguration_1.html
“So likewise shall My Heavenly Father do also unto you,” the Lord says after the parable about the unmerciful debtor. And He begins the parable by saying: “The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto.”
We see this many times in Scripture. Pay attention because constantly the Scripture is telling you what to imitate and what will happen if you do not imitate. The Scripture is full of examples of how we should live. All of the Kingdom of Heaven parables are of this format:
“The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto.”
And the things that are being described are meant to tell us how we should live, how we should think, what we should feel, what is important, how we should be.
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8. How did Jesus’ Transfiguration prepare the
apostles for His subsequent crucifixion?
9. Why were they heavy with sleep?
10. Why did the Apostles tell nobody about this startling event?
4. What made His raiment white and glistering? What occurrence in the OT proves it is possible for our “countenance to be altered”?
5. Moses and Elias conversation about events after their death proves and important truth about the dead, which a good part of those who profess to be Christians seem to not be aware of. What?
6. Why did Moses and Elias appear? What does each represent?
7. Why did Moses and Elias speak of Jesus’ upcoming passion? It would not be out of order to make an educated guess.
1. “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.” (LUKE 9:28)
What sayings?
2. Why did Jesus take three of His disciples?
3. What were the practical considerations and spiritual meaning of Jesus ascending a mountain to pray?
9. If we are truly to prepare for communion, we must understand what it is. …
10. Preparation for Holy Communion includes (not an exhaustive list!) …
The disciples asked our Lord a question today in the first reading, brothers and sisters: “Why could we not cast him out?”
When you read the Scriptures, I’ve told you many times because this is very, very important – read them as if they are speaking to you. So this is not just a question about why the Apostles could not cast out a demon from the boy.
This is a question about: Why do I feel unhappy? Why do I have trouble with a relationship or with my marriage or with something that makes me sad all the time? Or why can I not do this thing that is good that I know I should do? Or why can I not stop doing this thing that is bad that I know I should not be doing?
The Lord answers all of these questions:
…
8. Confession is part of preparation for Holy Communion.
The frequency of confession is dependent on the individual, and the confessor. Certainly, if one has not been to confession for a long time, they should have confession before they commune.
The three active principals in confession are self-examination, repentance, and forgiveness of sins. …