Category: Audio homilies

He Is Our Peace. Ephesians 2:14-22. 24th Sunday. Audio Homily 2010

LISTEN NOW Synopsis: The Gospel is exactly proclained in this passage from Ephesians. The entire passage is discussed, especially "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity…". What is peace accordig to the Gospel?… Continue reading He Is Our Peace. Ephesians 2:14-22. 24th Sunday. Audio Homily 2010

Parable Of The Sower Grace,faith,works. Audio Homily 2010.

The Epistle and Gospel selections today, which are rarely read together, both proclaim the Gospel – the “Good News” in both the same and different ways. Ephesians is the classic declaration of the Gospel,and the parable of the sower speaks in metaphor, but both declare that how the gospel is received by us and what we do with it determines whether or not we “bring forth fruit with patience”, and be His workmanship … unto good works”.

Galatians 2:16-20. Christian vs Jewish justification, and why it is important. Audio Homily. 21st Sunday after Pentecost.

Galatians was written to a group of Gentiles that had been infected with Judiazing teachings; they had been taught that they were required to fulfil the rituals of the Jewish law (circumcision, washings, dietary laws, etc) to be saved. All of Galatians refutes this heresy, and teaches why Christians must be moral. This passage particularly highlights the differences between Jewish justification (which was only an external declaration) and Christian Justification, which is also a declaration, but also involves the inner man becoming righteous – that is, the obliteration of sin (not just forgiveness), and eventual perfection. Why should we care about the difference between the Jewish view and the Christian reality? Because almost everyone, to a greater or lesser degree often lives and thinks as the Jews did.

The first great catch of fish compared with the second. Audio Homily 2010

The first Great catch of fish, read in context with the 2nd great catch (which occurred three years later, 8 days after the resurrection) is truly the “Gospel” – the “Good News”, because it is a promise to us that we can change and truly become holy – all we need do is be with Jesus Christ throughout our life. We compare the two great catches, and explore what it means to be with Christ. The Epistle reading is from Galatians, them overall theme of which is that we cannot be saved bu . We are not saved by works, but we cannot be saved unless we stay with Christ throughout our life – we examine what this means.

Two Identical Definitions of Christianity. What is the way of the Cross? Important questions we must answer. Audio Homily 2010

The Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross both contain identical ‘definitions’ of Christianity. They both involve the cross, which is an instrument of death and of life. All Christians must voluntaily be crucified with Christ, and tak up their cross. This is explained by our Lord’s instruction that we must ‘lose’ our life to save it, and His uestions: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? We must understand this if we are to truly live the Christian life and know Christ.

Nativity of the Theotokos, Sep 8/21. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Audio Homily.

Synopsis: Before the homily, a little bit about those special “memoents of clarity” and what we should expect each time in the holy services. The homily addresses the Epistle reading, where the Apostle tells us: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” This is the totality of the Gospel, just as the two great commandements are the totality of the law. If we fulfilled this command, we would never sin! Let us explore how to attain this “mind”. Everything we do or think of doing should be evaluated in the light of this command.

The Canaanite Woman. *Exactly* how to pray. Audio Homily 2010

Synopsis:The Caananite woman teaches us *exactly* how we should pray: with knowledge, simplicity, persistence and humility. A close examination of her encounter with Christ shows these virtues plainly, and should also show us which ones we are lacking in (definitely at least 3 of the 4!).