god and spiritual

The Tears of the Prodigal

On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Tom shows us how the love of the Father embraces us in all of our filth. The only washing required is that of our own tears.




god and spiritual

The Beauty of Our Judgement

The Gospel reading of the Last Judgement can bring incredible fear and awe; however, as Fr. Tom reminds us, it should also be a great source of consolation!




god and spiritual

Spring Cleaning

Listen as Fr. Tom encourages us to take full advantage of the call to forgiveness.




god and spiritual

Come and See

In this back-to-basics message, Fr. Tom reminds us that the real triumph of Orthodoxy begins with being a true follower of Christ.




god and spiritual

What Is Truth?

Truth is more than an internal reality or a set of external precepts - it is the transformative power of Christ!




god and spiritual

The Violence of Faith

Fr. Tom reminds us that the Cross - both the Cross of Christ and the personal crosses we're called to carry - are the source of our salvation.




god and spiritual

The Upside of Being Down

Fr. Tom reminds us that the spiritual life is full of ups and downs, but the downs are a provision from God for our salvation.




god and spiritual

Extreme Humility

As we inch closer to Holy Week, Fr. Tom recenters us on Christ and His humble death's effect on our humanity




god and spiritual

Victory, Value, and Volition

Listen as Fr. Tom shows the many facets of what Palm Sunday means for us who seek to put Christ first.




god and spiritual

The Eternal Eighth Day

Listen as Fr. Tom unpacks the overflowing implications of Pascha - the eternal eighth day, the resurrected body, and St. Thomas.




god and spiritual

The Angels Who Serve God

On the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing women, Fr. Tom draws many parallels between the servants of God, the Angels, the women to whom the resurrection was revealed, and our ever-serving mothers.




god and spiritual

The Promise of Persisting

Listen as Fr. Tom reminds us that the promise of eternal life is tied to the commandment to persist until the very end.




god and spiritual

The Spirit & The Truth

On the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, Fr. Tom reminds us of the deep human need for Truth and how the Holy Spirit guides us into that truth, both in belief and in worship.




god and spiritual

Darkness & Light

On the Sunday of the Blind Man, Fr. Tom discusses what it means to walk in darkness and in the light, and how we must have the truth born in us by being made a new creation in Christ.




god and spiritual

What Is He Doing Now?

As we move from Pascha to the Ascension towards Pentecost, Fr. Tom discusses Christ's role as our eternal priest and sacrifice and what true unity looks like.




god and spiritual

Dead Religion

As we celebrate Pentecost, Fr. Tom discusses what "dead religion" really is - ritual and form devoid of power. The descent of the Holy Spirit allows us to partake of the world-changing power of Christ but only if we thirst for it, only if we draw deeply from the well of the Church.




god and spiritual

A Call to Discipleship

On the Sunday of All Saints, Fr. Tom reminds us that our sainthood can only be achieved through dying to the world and pursuing a life of true discipleship in the bosom of the Church.




god and spiritual

Purpose & Power

The purpose of the Christian life is to become fishers of men, but the power to do so can only be found through Christ, in the Church. Listen as Fr. Tom calls us to build the Church like the Saints of North America!




god and spiritual

Nihilism

When we struggle with hopelessness and disbelief, we can turn to the world and the nihilism it espouses - or, we can turn to Christ in faithfulness for comfort and true hope. We must always ask ourselves, "what do I actually believe about God?"




god and spiritual

Pandemonium

In this time of chaos and pandemonium, to what - and to whom - will we turn for truth and guidance? The news? Politicians? YouTube? Listen as Fr. Tom calls us back to the Word of God.




god and spiritual

Where Our Treasure Is

Comparing how we invest in bodily health over spiritual health, Fr. Tom exhorts us to remember that it's possible to enter Hell while physically healthy and possible to enter Heaven broken. It is only in Heaven that we will find eternal healing.




god and spiritual

One

Fr. Tom discusses the unifying faith of Holy Orthodoxy




god and spiritual

Anxiety

We all have fears, worries, and anxieties - but, what do we do with them? Fr. Tom focuses on the Existing One and what that means for the difficulties of life.




god and spiritual

Authority

Our society is ripe with anti-authority sentiments such as "dismantle the patriarchy", but how should Christians respond? Listen as Fr. Tom shares Christ's vision for authority and why it's both good and necessary.




god and spiritual

Order

Listen as Fr. Tom discusses the foundations of an authentic Christian community founded on forgiveness, love, and mercy.




god and spiritual

The Commandments and Communion

There is a prevalent view that religion is all about "being a good person" or completing a checklist of commandments. Fr. Tom shows us that the problem isn't the commandments themselves, but rather using them as a means to an end. What we really need is communion - with God and with one another.




god and spiritual

Why Should I Be Like God?

Listen as Fr. Tom discusses what it means to be truly human and why we can't settle for being anything less.




god and spiritual

The Marriage Supper

Listen as Fr. Tom discusses how active participation in the life of the Church now gives us a foretaste of the inheritance that awaits us in eternity.




god and spiritual

Images & Idols

Fr. Tom discusses St. Paul's exhortation to have nothing to do with idols. Idols bring a communion of death, while the Divine Image of God destroys death and brings life.




god and spiritual

Church Growth

Fr. Tom discusses how God makes the Church for growth . . . and not just numerical growth.




god and spiritual

Transformation and Growth

Fr. Tom discusses how the Christian life consists of personal transformation and a deep urgency to bring others into the fold.




god and spiritual

Life Paradoxical

We've all heard the saying "paradoxy is Orthodoxy". Fr. Tom discusses the path to salvation found by embracing the paradoxy of life and choosing to bear our cross.




god and spiritual

Who Do You Belong To?

Fr. Tom discusses the reality of spiritual warfare and the deep need to, daily, subjugate our will to Christ.




god and spiritual

Moral Therapeutic Deism

Fr. Tom discusses the false ideas surrounding religion today and how one truly comes to know Christ in the Church.




god and spiritual

What is Eternal Life?

When we discuss Eternal Life, do we think primarily of being a good enough person so that we can get to Heaven? When does Eternal Life begin? Listen as Fr. Tom calls us to focus on becoming like Christ here and now.




god and spiritual

Godliness With Contentment

Listen as Fr. Tom discusses what it means to invest in the Kingdom of God




god and spiritual

How to be Fully Human

Fr. Tom discusses the uncleanliness of humanity, the image God made us in, and maintaining our true selves.




god and spiritual

An Invitation to Transformation (Dn John Skowron)

Join Deacon John Skowron in today's discussion. What are we withholding from God's will? Are we making time for Christ in our lives?




god and spiritual

The Transcendent Resurrection Body

Fr Thomas explains the mysterious nature of the resurrection of Christ which transcends the limited nature of our current three-dimensional human experience. (John 20:19-31) St Thomas Sunday, April 23, 2023.




god and spiritual

Caring, Questioning, and Calling

Fr Thomas shows us the amazing examples of caring in the Myrrhbearers, explains the purpose of questioning with trust in God, and challenges us to go out and call others to the Truth. (Mark 15:43-16:8) Myrrhbearers Sunday, April 30, 2023.




god and spiritual

Being Saved, Not Condemned, through Encounter

Fr Thomas reminds us that the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan Woman was not about her condemnation, but her salvation. We can also embrace a change of life through encountering Christ. (John 4:5-42) Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, May 14, 2023




god and spiritual

Seeing the Truth

Fr Thomas teaches us that we need to cultivate in ourselves an openness to the truth based on all the goodness of the teachings of Christ. (John 9:1-38) Sunday of the Blind Man, May 21, 2023




god and spiritual

June is Holiness Month!

Fr Thomas expounds on the innate connection between belief in Christ and the reception of the Holy Spirit, in whom we are called to be truly holy humans. (John 7:37-52, 8:12) Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2023.




god and spiritual

Three Myths About Christianity

In the second of his Holiness Month series, Fr Thomas dispels three myths about Christianity. (Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30) All Saints Sunday, June 11, 2023




god and spiritual

Orthodoxy is Evangelical

In the third of his Holiness Month series, Fr Thomas encourages us to not only spread the good news of Jesus Christ but to live out the law of Christ. (Matthew 4:18-23) All Saints of North America Sunday, June 18, 2023.




god and spiritual

Cremation and Resurrection

Fr Thomas teaches us to be on guard against the secular trend of cremating the dead and why Orthodox Christians are buried in light of the Resurrection. (1 Cor 15:1-11; Mt 19:16-26) Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost




god and spiritual

Seeking Union with Christ

Fr Thomas unpacks the Parable of the Wedding Feast and reminds us that union with Christ starts with baptism but continues in keeping our baptismal garment clean through righteous living. (2 Corinthians 1:21-2:4; Matthew 22:1-14) Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost




god and spiritual

The God Who Searches for Us

The story of Zacchaeus teaches us that God does everything possible, including becoming a man, to seek our union with Him. (Luke 19:1-10) 37th Sunday after Pentecost




god and spiritual

A Light For Revelation




god and spiritual

This Child