Both the epistle and the Gospel story of the parable of the talents express the same basic idea: we must, as the Epistle puts it “receive not the grace of God in vain.” The epistle discusses in great detail how we can “trade” with this grace (called talents in the parable).
Month: September 2010
Beheading of the Glorious Prophet Forerunner and Baptist John. Possibilities and clarity. Text/Audio Homily.
Thoughts concering the Kontakion of the feast of the beheading of the Forerunner, and the precious gift of clarity of thought sometimes given especially during the early morning liturgy. The beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist John teaches us about the transitoriness of life, and about courage and cowardice. We look at the Kontakion especially, and the actions of Herod, Herodias and Solome. ?The glorious beheading of the Forerunner was part of God?s dispensation that he might proclaim to those in Hades the coming of the Savior, that Herodias who demanded the iniquitous murder, therefore lament. For she loved not the law of God nor the age of life but rather this one, false and fleeting.”
Abba Moses the Ethiopian. Icon, Sayings, and Life
Today we celebrate Abba Moses the Ethiopian. He is one of my favorite Saints, and last year, a large article was written about him which included many of his sayings:
https://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2009/09/10/abba-moses-the-ethiopian-icon-sayings-and-life/
Apostle Titus of the Seventy. His life epitomizes two virtues we must have.
Today we remember the Holy Apostle Titus. He was one the Seventy, and an eyewitness of the preaching of Jesus Christ, a close friend and disciple of the Apostle Paul (accompanying him of his missionary journeys) and eventual Bishop of Crete.
His life is extraordinary, because it shows clearly a two virtues we must have in order to be saved. The Holy Titus possessed a longing for purity and humility in abundance. …
Give the first fruits of your day to the Lord. The “Four Bows” Audio/Text
The “Four Bows” – a simple set of prayers that should begin the day for everyone. Excellent for children.
The Dormition of the Theotokos. A short talk.
his Sunday was the leavetaking of the feast of the Dormition. Here is a short talk about the Dormition of the Theotokos.
* Dormition means falling asleep
* The Story.
* A balanced view.
* The intercession of the Theotokos.
* Heresies about the Theotokos:
o The heresy of the Theotokos as “co-mediatrix”
o The heresies of The “Immaculate Conception” and “Original Sin” are discussed at length. VERY IMPORTANT!
* The ever-virginity of the Theotokos explained.
The Greatest Commandment. 15th Sunday of Pentecost. Matthew 22:35-46 Audio Homily 2010
The Greatest Commandment. 15th Sunday of Pentecost. Matthew 22:35-46 Audio Homily 2010
What *is* Christianity”? Earthen Vessels. 2 Cor 4:6-15. Text, Audio Homily.
What is Christianity, brothers and sisters? It can be defined many ways. The Gospel speaks many times, giving different definitions of what it is. Today we have another way in which it is defined, for those who read carefully.
The Apostle tells us that “the God who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness has shined in our hearts, to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” [2]
That’s a pretty good summary of the Gospel right there. The Lord Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to see the glory of God….