"What is grief, if not love persevering?" Steve and Christian watched the new Disney+ series in the MCU, "WandaVision." The guys discuss grief, justice, power, and the cross-pressure of Secular3. Philanthropy Spotlight: We're also shining a light on "Philoptochos," the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Philoptochos fulfills its mission to “help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, those with disabilities and the victims of disasters through its National and Metropolis Boards and its 26,000 members and more than 400 active chapters, nationwide. Philoptochos responds immediately to needs and crises and its philanthropic outreach extends to each area of the country and throughout the world. In 2019, National Philoptochos distributed $1.7 million in philanthropic aid. Learn more on their website: philoptochos.org

"Families can be hard, but they're so worth fighting for. They might be one of the only things that are." Steve and Christian watched the new Netflix film, "The Mitchells vs. The Machines." The guys discuss family, belonging, and being corrects vs being connected. Philanthropy Spotlight: Christ's last words to the Apostles were "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all people". Since 1987, OCMC has sent Missionaries and Mission Teams to work, worship and witness around the world. Continue this tradition by joining a Virtual Mission Team. If not you, then who? Find out more at www.ocmc.org

"You may have noticed, I’m not like normal Dads." Steve and Christian watched the new Amazon Prime series, "Invincible." They discuss identity, power, and responsibility. We do more than simply offer reviews. Just like a bee can take good things from flowers (and leave the rest behind), we can learn to take the good things from pop culture as we seek to open ourselves to Christ and His saving work in our lives. It's Orthodox Christian engagement with today's culture.

The girls discuss the Broadway-to-Silver-Screen musical, Dear Evan Hansen. They touch on themes such as the role of social media in trying to be authentic, the complexity of the human person, and the need for community in support.

The girls discuss the novel, A River Enchanted. They touch on how music has power, how love means trust and loyalty, and how home provides comfort. Plus, what they're cooking for meatfare week!

Christina and Emma invite Hibbah to join the conversation around the fourth season of the Amazon Prime Original, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. They discuss questions of what it means to be a woman, different types of friends, and community. All that, plus what they're cooking!

Christina and Emma discuss the 2004 film, Finding Neverland. They discuss themes such as how stories help us make sense of reality, the importance of the imagination for holding onto joy, and how the grief we carry transforms who we are. And as always, what they're cooking!

Christina and Emma discuss The Time Traveler's Wife. They touch on themes such as trusting in God's providence, absence and waiting, and sticking with the present moment. And, of course, what they're cooking. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

Steve and Christian discuss the new Netflix series, "The G Word with Adam Conover." They explore Christian approaches to politics, power, and the Kingdom of God. Leave your comments for the 200th episode at 917-524-7483 (call or text) by July 1, 2022.

Many times in the Bible, cultivated land is a sign of our relationship with God.

Becoming a blessing to others is the way to be blessed ourselves.

On this Sunday of "The Ladder of Divine Ascent," by St. John Climacus, we are called to ever greater heights of union with God by lowering ourselves through humble repentance.

Do you understand the Gospel as being good news for all, even for those whom you hate?

Fr. Philip calls us to actively engage in the journey towards the Kingdom of God through the Dormition Fast.

Are you keeping your eyes on Jesus when the stormy seas of life stir up the fear of death?

How quickly are we to forgive those who have wronged us in some way?

Does your approach to this Advent season reflect an attitude of self-sufficiency, or does it reveal your reliance on the mercy and grace of God in Christ Jesus?

What is keeping you "stooped over," hindering you from becoming more like Jesus?

Are you prepared to enter the Kingdom of God? If not, the Church calls us to enter through forgiveness into the journey of repentance of Great Lent.

We must open the eyes of our souls to the truth of where we stand before Christ. And then, when we know our own inadequacy, it will be possible to offer ourselves truthfully to Him.

Each one of us are invited into new life in Christ. However, we must be willing to die to those things which hold us back if we are to become a 'new creation' in Christ like the Theotokos.

Who do you think you are? Is it leading you more and more into the likeness of Jesus?

When we become distracted by the indulgence of our passions, we will be like the rich fool who was blind to the ultimate purpose of his life before God.

As we prepare for the coming nativity of Jesus, we need to follow the example of Blind Bartimaeus who opened his life to the Light of Christ in humility.

Responding to the call to come to the heavenly banquet requires us to leave behind those things to which we are enslaved.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus during his baptism and upon His followers as beautiful epiphanies in the world.

Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to live in a life of genuine forgiveness that is empowered by the divine energy of God.

Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to offer ourselves to the Christ who offered Himself for the life of the world.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the nativity of St. John the Baptist and it's meaning for us today.

Fr. Philip LeMasters explains the meaning of the parable of the Vineyard and its significance for us today as the new tenants of the vineyard.

Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

Fr. Philip LeMasters addresses the violence in our world today by reflecting on the call to love our neighbor in the story of Lazarus.

Fr. Philip LeMasters recounts the Christmas story that is for all humanity.

Fr. Philip LeMasters considers how the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee relates to our lives today.

Fr. Philip LeMasters introduces the significance of the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the restoration of the Holy Icons.

Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the Gospel reading of the healing of the Blind Man.

Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the example of the twelve holy apostles who sacrificed all for the sake of following Jesus.

Fr. Philip LeMasters gives a homily on the Gospel reading on the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.

Fr. Philip LeMasters speaks about our God-given purpose in life on the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Theotokos.

It is sobering how easily we can corrupt any good thing, including faith in Jesus Christ. Some people fall into the delusion of thinking that they love God and neighbor, when in reality they serve only themselves. One symptom of doing so is to narrow down the kind of people who count as our neighbors such that we excuse ourselves from seeing and serving Christ in all who bear His image and likeness. When we do so, we disregard not only them, but our Lord Himself. Our actions then reveal that we do not truly have faith in Him because we are only seeking to justify ourselves.

We have all had experiences in which we have learned uncomfortable truths about ourselves. When that happens, we have a choice about what to do next. It is possible to recognize a weakness or failing and then to do what we can to overcome it. Too often, however, we give up hope and fall into despair due to our hurt pride. That is precisely what the man in today’s gospel lesson did when Jesus Christ gave him a commandment that he lacked the strength to obey: “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Christ came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.

In today’s gospel lesson, there were people so used to focusing on their daily routines and worldly responsibilities that they had lost the ability to recognize something new and joyful. One owned real estate, another had animals, and a third was married. Even though these are commonplace conditions, they used them to justify their refusal to accept the invitation to the great party. No one forced them to do so; instead, they excused themselves. As a result, the master commanded his servant to “Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.” Because there was still room, the master ordered him to go out even further to “the highways and hedges, and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”

At Theophany, we celebrate that no dimension of our life or world is intrinsically profane or cut off from sharing in the holiness of God. All things, physical and spiritual, visible and invisible, are called to participate in the divine glory that our Lord has brought to the world, to become even now signs of the coming fullness of God’s Kingdom.

Given what we do know about the divine mercy we have received, gratitude must become an abiding characteristic of our lives. That means that we must become like the Samaritan leper in today’s gospel reading.

We celebrate the Presentation of Christ forty days after His birth, in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Theotokos and St. Joseph bring the young Savior there in compliance with the Old Testament law, making the offering of a poor family, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the old man St. Simeon proclaims that this Child is the salvation “of all peoples, a light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.” The aged prophetess St. Anna also recognizes Him as the fulfillment of God’s promises.

As we begin our Lenten journey, we remember today how Adam and Eve stripped themselves naked of the divine glory and were cast out of Paradise into a world enslaved by death. During Great Lent, we follow the path that leads back to Paradise.

The One Who trampled down death by death purely out of love for His suffering children will never abandon us. If He can make someone like St. Mary of Egypt radiant with the divine glory through the desert, then there is hope for us all.

Whenever we give our time, resources, or attention to help anyone who is in need in any way, we embrace an opportunity to serve our Savior and participate more fully in His life.

The man in today’s gospel reading would never have found healing had he chosen to remain as he had been for thirty-eight years. Lying still for a long time makes us weak and unable to move on our own.