In a pluralistic society, the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the way, the truth, and the life, can become a casualty, even in the minds of Christians. Fr Thomas reminds us of the uniqueness of the Christian message: that the only way to peace with God is through faith in Christ. (This episode of our podcast introduces a new format, interspersing the thoughts and comments of faithful parishioners. We hope you enjoy it!)

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers comes at an important point in the life of Christ, only days before his crucifixion. Jesus reveals the Scribes and Pharisees to be those who rejected the message of the prophets, and now they're going to kill God's Son. Fr Thomas reminds us that, in our own day, those who reject the message and the messengers by choosing the world's lies about God and humanity over the truth we receive in the Church commit the same grave error. (Matthew 21:33-44)

The raising of the Widow of Nain's Son is a dramatic scene where the Power of Life confronts the reality of death. Fr Thomas reminds us that we experience this encounter every time we participate in the Divine Liturgy, entering into the presence of the One Who has victory over Hades and death. (Our apologies for the poor audio quality of this recording.)

Fr Thomas gives a compelling case for the intense spiritual and physical efforts involved in observing Great Lent, beginning with the end in mind: the true significance of the Resurrection of Christ.

Fr Thomas shares a powerful message, correcting those who make themselves the measure of faith, and encouraging all of us to remember that Orthodox Christianity is the ideal we are striving for.

The healing of the blind man in John 9 is a dramatic story of the healing power of God. Fr Thomas teaches us that we also have been healed by virtue of our baptism and we should tell others the story of our recreation.

On the seventh Sunday of Holy Pascha we recall the words of our Lord to His apostles before His passion, reminding them that what He taught them was given by God Himself. Fr Thomas reminds Orthodox Christians that we must also receive this apostolic teaching and pass it on to new believers without any change or error.

Everyone has difficulties and problems that they face on a daily basis. Fr Thomas teaches us that in the midst of the storms of life we can experience the "peace from above" which is found only in Christ.

The beauty of Orthodoxy is richly expressed in her magnificent iconography adorning the walls and ceilings of our churches. As the parish of St Nicholas continues the iconographic renewal of their temple, Fr Thomas encourages parishioners to look up and see the Kingdom to come.

On the Sunday after Theophany, the reading from the Apostle teaches us that there is a close relationship between Christ's filling all of creation with Himself and the gifts that He bestows on us. Fr Thomas reminds us that those gifts need to be discerned and exercised to continue the work of renewal in the world and in our parishes.

On the day before the Great Feast of the Annunciation of the Mother of God, Fr Thomas weaves the themes from the gospel of the Second Sunday of Lent (the healing of the paralytic) and from the Annunciation to remind us that the Word of God is given to us to increase our faith and trust in Him.

Fr Thomas reminds us of the value of learning to deepen our faith.

The saying goes, "actions speak louder than words." Christ Himself condemned the Jewish religious leaders for saying one thing but doing another. Fr Thomas teaches us that, as Orthodox Christians, our actions are important because they have to align with what we claim about God and ourselves. In fact, our eternal judgment is at stake.

As we approach the feast of Theophany, the Baptism of Christ, John the Forerunner shows us the way to unite ourselves to Christ, crying, "He must increase, but I must decrease!"

What would you do if God gave you the silent treatment? Fr Thomas reminds us that we must persist in our pleas to God and in so doing, exercise great faith.

As we begin the pre-Lenten Sunday readings, the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector reminds us that the only true measure of our holiness is God Himself.

Fr Thomas encourages the faithful by outlining the goals of Great Lent in the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

At the incredible encounter of the Samaritan Woman with Jesus as the well, Fr Thomas teaches us that the Lord models how to speak the truth in love.

During a Saturday Divine Liturgy, Fr Thomas teaches from John 10:27-38 on how we can hear the voice of God in the words of Jesus.

How can we find the power of God and strength amidst feelings of weakness and persecution? Fr. Thomas urges us to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and saints as we find ourselves in a world opposed to the Christian life.

In a powerful message on the value of faith, Fr Thomas reminds us that forgiveness is the most important healing we'll ever receive.

How do we love God with all of our heart, with all of our mind, and with all of our soul? Fr. Tom shows us that Cross serves as the paragon example of fulfilling the greatest commandment of our Lord.

The multitudes pressed to hear the Word of God; will we do the same? Fr. Tom teaches us that the Word of God, both the Incarnate Eternal Word and the Holy Scriptures, lead us to life, joy, and ultimate meaning in every action we take as Orthodox Christians.

Fr. Alexander Rentel, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America brings us a preparatory message in anticipation of Great Lent: observe the religious practice of the Church like the pharisee, but beg our Lord for the humble heart of the publican.

Leading into the Great Fast, Fr. Tom urgently calls us to remember that all of the fasting in the world is useless if we neglect the weightier matters.

Lest we forget the cosmic realities of our Orthodox worship, Fr. Tom unpacks the reading of the Samaritan Woman in order to remind us that worship in spirit and in truth is not bound to space or time, and includes - not least of all - personal sacrifice.

Reading the Parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus, Fr. Tom urges us to remember our own death and to take heart that the final justice is God's.

We all suffer and struggle in our lives, but how often do we think of the reality that the demons seek to oppress us? Listen as Fr. Tom shows clearly from the Scriptures that this is the case, and what we must do about it.

As we read about the healing of the blind man, Fr. Tom implores us to always see ourselves, the Church, and - most importantly - Christ with new, spiritual eyes.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

Christ gives peace but more importantly He IS our Peace.

Fr. Gregory speaks about the feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple.

It is fear that hinders our walk with God.

What does it mean to have faith and how can we increase it?

Fr. Gregory Hallam reflects on the new liturgical year and three mighty manifestations of the Divine Glory.

Dn. Christopher gives the homily and says that Christ has destroyed death and the power of evil; he dealt with it in His passion. We have to repent to allow this salvation to work within us.

Jesus is challenging us today to follow Him with a deeper commitment, just as He challenged the rich, young man who ran up to question him 2,000 years ago.

The Nativity is a present reality for us Orthodox Christians. It’s not just that we celebrate a past event now; there’s more to it than that. Christ is eternally born for all generations in the same way that he is both referred to in the Scriptures as “slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8] and also eternally risen and alive in the Cosmos.

We have to examine our own lives in relation to the reality that the preaching of Jesus has now begun. We can listen to that preaching of Jesus today in each of our lives.

The great theme of Lent is repentance. That is the turning of our minds and hearts to God. The fact is that we can only do this through the work of Christ. He is the great Peace-Maker; He makes our repentance possible by His reconciling work.

Fr. Gregory reads the sermon "Pascha in the West and the East" by His Eminence, Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos.

We are all called to a personal relationship with the Lord, but first of all, we must recognize that “Jesus Christ is the Lord” – our Lord. To achieve this, we need to have Him cure the blindness of our spiritual eyes, and this calls for an act of loving submission of our wills unto Him.

Forgiveness is waiting for us NOW when we turn to Christ. Use the help that is available and let us carry each other in love and prayer as we all strive to a greater perfection.

Have no thought for tomorrow for day by day God will provide His bread and His wine and none shall hunger or thirst any more.

The outcast woman receives healing demonstrating the power of our Lord and the power of prayer.