Category: Gospel:Mark

Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – 2008

LISTEN NOW 2 Corinthians 4:6-15 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may… Continue reading Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross – 2008

3rd Sun of Pascha – The Holy Myrhhbearers

Today is the third Sunday after Pascha, and it is the Sunday of the myrrh-bearing women. And it is quite an interesting reading which we have because these women and these men, Joseph of Arimathaea, who is mentioned today, and also Nicodemus, who acted with great love, but also in great ignorance. They were trying to do something that they were not going to be able to accomplish. These women wanted to anoint the Lord with myrrh, and Joseph and Nicodemus had prepared the Lord’s body so carefully, wrapping it in clean, fine linen. Myrrh and aloes had been applied, according to the custom of the Jews. All this they did in ignorance. They acted without full knowledge, but with great desire and with great love.

There is a lesson for us. Pascha is God making man able to know God. This is really what Pascha is. It is not an event only; it is a fundamental change in human nature. The God-man becoming incarnate made us able to live. He accomplished our salvation by His death and His resurrection, and basically all of the period from Pascha to Pentecost we think about how He enlightens us and the practical ramifications of what Pascha means for the soul. In essence, it means enlightenment. It means to know God. But to know God you have to be able to live like God, and you must live in virtue before you have full enlightenment. ?

Fourth Sunday of Great Lent 2008 – Realistic Hope

LISTEN NOW Homily Given The Fourth Sunday Of Great Lent, 2008, At St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Dallas/McKinney Texas. Mark 9:17-31And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth… Continue reading Fourth Sunday of Great Lent 2008 – Realistic Hope

Great Lent, the Third Sunday, Of the Cros – Priorities – Mark 8:34-9:1

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today is the third Sunday of Great Lent and the day in which we adore the precious and life-giving cross of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ. In life, if you do anything, if you’re to be… Continue reading Great Lent, the Third Sunday, Of the Cros – Priorities – Mark 8:34-9:1

Great Lent, the Third Sunday, What shall we trade? – Mark 8:34-9:1

Brothers and sisters, a Christian must always be able to answer questions. You must always be comparing things. Constantly, daily, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, you should be making comparisons and you should be making trades. St. Andrew of Crete, in his Great Canon, urges himself to be a great trader. What is this that he is trading?… Continue reading Great Lent, the Third Sunday, What shall we trade? – Mark 8:34-9:1

Great Lent, The Second Sunday – The Paralytic – Interpretation by St Gregory Palamas – Mark 2:1-12

We just read the Gospel from St Mark about the paralytic this past Sunday of Great Lent. I just saw the following quote from a sermon by St Gregory Palamas, and I thought it was too good to wait until next year to share it with you. “… the paralyzed man is any soul that… Continue reading Great Lent, The Second Sunday – The Paralytic – Interpretation by St Gregory Palamas – Mark 2:1-12

Great Lent, The Second Sunday – the Paralytic – "When Jesus Saw Their Faith" – Mark 2:1-12

Mark 2:1-12 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 3 And they… Continue reading Great Lent, The Second Sunday – the Paralytic – "When Jesus Saw Their Faith" – Mark 2:1-12

35th Thursday – "For ye have need of patience"

LISTEN NOW This is a homily, first to myself, spoken concerning the following scripture, which is appointed for the 35th Thursday after Pentecost: Hebrews 10:35-11:7 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive… Continue reading 35th Thursday – "For ye have need of patience"

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Thoughts on the Holy Scriptures, 33rd week after Pentecost Ephesians 1:16-23 I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes… Continue reading Untitled