The Reason for the Season, by Fr David Moser

This excellent homily by Fr David Moser explains the "reason for the season" is fully laid out by the scripture read today. First of all, "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners". The reason and effect of the incarnation is succinctly explained, including how the Lord calls to each one of us, and an example of its effect is given – the woman with the infirmity of 18 years, in which her physical infirmity is like the infirmity of the soul – bent over because of sin – and the only solution to this infirmity is the incarnation of the God-man, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. What is sin. Audio Homily 2010

The epistle read today succinctly sums up the reason for the incarnation of the God-man: “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners”. To understand this, we must understand what sin is. Most have a great misconception about sin and only think that is is something that offends Almighty God, and do not understand that the reason God is offended is because all sin darkens us, and makes us “bent over”, unable to see God and know Him. The effect of sin is well shown by the woman with the infirmity of 18 years. Lets us explore what sin does to us, and the only solution to our terrible predicament.

Colossians 1:12-18 Partakers of the inheritance of the saints. Read the scriptures! Audio exposition.

In this “second sermon” on a Sunday (a short talk after liturgy), the important selection from the first chapter of Colossions is discussed, with an emphasis on the context of the selection and the important Christological dogma expressed, which was later faithfully reproduced in the Symbol of Faith. It is important to read this passage correctly, as some heretics, such as the Arians (Jehovah Witnesses) do not understand the phrase . Also, the importance of reading the scriptures is mentioned.

Parable of the Harvest of the Rich man. Audio Homily 2010.

The Parable of the Harvest of a rich man should be read in context, as it is in the middele of important teaching about how we shuold regard wealth and the things we should value. The context of the parable is discussed, and then follows an exposotion of the symbolism and moral teacing of the parable. This year (2010), We read this the 28th Sunday after Pentecost, on the 28th Sunday of Luke, since we follow the Julian Calendar and the Lukan jump.

Entry of the Theotokos. One of the Great Forgotten Feasts because of our pride in this egalitarian age. Let us explore holiness. Audio Homily.

The Entry of the Theotokos is one of the “Great Forgotten Feasts” in the church calendar, even though it is one of the “12 great feasts”. There are good reasons for this – this feast is especially about holiness, humility and submission, which our modern egalitarian world does not understand. The Theotokos is holy because she chose to be holy, of her own free will. We do not denigrate her by thinking that God in any way made her holy by making her different in some way from the rest of humanity. The Gospel reading for this feast (and all feasts of the Theotokos) is explained in detail. It is a peculiar reading, because the Mary in the reading is not the Theotokos, and it is also a concatenation of two sections of Scripture that are not related in time to each other, but it describes fully the virtue of the Theotokos, which we must emulate. Let us be in awe of the holiness of the Theotokos and all the Saints, and see our destiny in them. Let us explore holiness in this arrogant and egalitarian age.

Parable of the Good Samaritan. The finest Incarnational Theology in the Gospels. Without empathy, we will not be saved. Audio Homily, 2010

he very important Parable of the Good Samaritan, only in Luke is always read in or near the Nativity Fast, appropriately, since it may be the finest exposition of incarnational theology in the Gospels. The answer to the question teaches us a critical virtue – empathy with our fellow man, without which we will not be saved, by describing the whole economy of the incarnation in the symbolism of the elements of the parable. Truly, this is a parable we should contemplate deeply.

Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God. A short timely commentary. Audio.

Synopsis: Psalm 75:10, “Make your vows and pay them to the Lord our God”, was the prokeimenon for today. Reader David Hawthorne shares how this verse is very timely for our community, and reads a portion of a commentary from Blessed Augustine and briefly expounds upon it. The point is: we must make some vow to the Lord, even if it is a “widow’s mite”, to gain spiritual discipline in our lives.

One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. Descending,then Ascending Fulfills The Gospel. Audio Homily 2010

n this longer than usual sermon, the first part of Ephesians chapter 4 is expounded on. This selection not only presents important dogmas that are the bedrock of our faith, it also presents the proper perspective to have regarding our neighbor – a perspective that will help us to fulfill all the commandments. The doctrine of Christ’s descent into Hell is discussed, and its moral application to all of our prayer, and indeed, all of our life. This selection contains some of the most important spiritual lessons a pastor can preach.