Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel message and Christian experience. As Christians living in the community of faith, we are called to share all things in common. Fr Tom explains that this includes sharing the mercy and compassion with one another that we first received from Christ. (Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost)

As Christians, we have been entrusted with the Kingdom of God. But this great gift comes with a responsibility. Fr Tom explains that the parable of the Vinedressers is God's warning to us to fulfill our essential mission to grow the Church. (Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

The scriptures are replete with examples describing the union between God and His people as a marriage. Fr Tom teaches us that the intimate union God desires to have with us begins with our baptism. It's up to us, however, to keep our garment undefiled in order to worthily partake of the eternal Marriage Supper of the Lamb with His Bride. (Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Beheading of St John the Baptist)

Even though we live in a pluraistic society, Orthodox Christians must uphold the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Tom teaches us that Christ and the Cross are not simply one way to the Father, but the only way. (Sunday before the Elevation of the Precious Cross)

Christ was obedient to His Father in all things. Fr Tom teaches us that God blesses those who are obedient to His commands and the result of loving obedience to God is the growth of the Church. (Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

God did not create sickness and disease nor does He desire for us to suffer. However, Fr Tom teaches us that the sovereign God uses suffering to draw us closer to Him. (Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Our God is not a benign spirit in the sky. Our God is the God Who reaches out to us in our sinfulness. Fr Tom teaches us that we are called to have a life-changing encounter with the God Who snatches us from the grip of sin and death. (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)

We are partakers of the rich mercies and blessings that God has liberally poured out upon our lives. Fr Tom reminds us that all of our blessings, both spiritual and material, are meant to be freely given to others, just as they have been given to us. (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost)

While the story of the Good Samaritan can inspire us to do good works, Fr Tom reminds us that ultimately the parable points to something much greater: Our salvation. (Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost)

As the popular holiday of Thanksgiving in the USA approaches, we gather around our tables to focus on being thankful to God for the many blessings He has given us. Fr Tom reminds us that the only thing we will take with us when we die is our virtue, not our 'stuff.'

The Creed which we profess states that God created things "visible and invisible." Fr Tom reminds us that there is an invisible warfare constantly being waged on us, and we must be prepared by putting on the whole armor of God.

Throughout the scriptures the imagery of the supper is used to depict the hospitality of God toward us. Fr Tom reminds us to respond well to the invitation to be united to Christ. (Twenty-ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Sermon given in Florida.)

The Gospel contains both words of comfort and words of challenge and warning. Fr Tom reminds us not to make the mistake of listening only to messages which comfort us, but to live up to the words that challenge our faith to continue on the difficult way of Christ. (Thirty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

Asking for mercy from God is at the heart of the Church's prayer. Fr Tom teaches us that that two seeminly opposing attitudes, humility and boldness, are necessary to continually approach the throne of God. (Thirty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost - The Canaanite Woman)

As we approach the Great Fast, the parable of the Prodigal Son prepares our hearts to return to God. Fr Tom teaches us that in this important parable we learn the truth about who we can be and who God is. (Sunday of the Prodigal Son)

On the second Sunday before the beginning of the Great Fast the Church calls to our attention the Last Judgment. Fr Tom teaches us that our fate at the appearance of the Son of Man in His glory will be determined by our reaction to the brightness of His Love and Mercy. (Sunday of the Last Judgment)

On the day before the beginning of Great Lent, the Church teaches us that our journey of repentance begins with offering forgiveness. Fr Tom reminds us that forgiveness is the essential action to grow in the likeness of God, because it is what He freely offers to us. (Forty-first Sunday after Pentecost - Forgiveness Sunday)

On this first Sunday of Lent we celebrate the historical Triumph of Orthodoxy over the Iconoclasts. Fr Tom reminds us that we also need an ever-present Triumph of Orthodoxy in our lives to fulfill the evangelical call of Christ. (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

On the feast of feasts we celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Tom reminds us that our joy on this uniquely singular day also comes from the hope that God Who began this marvellous work in His Son will also complete it in us. (The Holy Pascha)

Eight days after the Lord's Resurrection, Jesus appeard to Thomas in His glorified body, manifesting the power of God's Kingdom. Fr Tom reminds us that the Lord grants us His Kingdom, here and now, and we recieve it when we are faithful. (Second Sunday of Pascha)

The eternal Word ascends to Heaven in His resurrected body, receiving the glory He had with His Father before the world began. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ does all this so that He can share this heavenly life with us. (Sunday after the Ascension)

The New Testament epistles as well as the Divine Liturgy constantly encourage us to be of one mind because we are members of the Body of Christ and of one another. Fr Tom used today's epistle reading as an opportunity to encourage his parishioners to develop oneness with each other in order to achieve parish goals. (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

Anyone can do a good deed, but Fr. Tom reminds us that truly godly works are motivated by a faith in Christ which leads to salvation. (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is among the most beloved of all stories in scripture. Fr Tom reminds us that showing mercy to those who have fallen into the ravages of sin is essential to their healing. (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost)

Faith is initiated in us by the gift of God in Christ being given to us in baptism. Fr Tom reminds us that it is our responsibility to live a life in light of that gift. (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost)

On the feast of the Nativity of Christ, we celebrate the eternal Word of God taking on Human flesh and identifying with our humanity. Fr Tom reminds us that we also celebrate being adopted by God into His family as true children of God. (The Nativity of Christ)

The feast of the Circumcision of Christ stands as a bridge between the old and new covenants. As we begin the new year, Fr Tom reminds us that we should resolve to fulfill the "Circumcision of Christ," our baptism. (Sunday before the Theophany)

As we begin preparing our hearts for the annual Lenten journey, the Church presents us with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. Fr Tom reminds us that fulfilling God's commandments should not be a cause for pride, because humility teaches us that we are only doing our duty to Him as unprofitable servants.

On the feast of the Annunciation to the Mother of God, we celebrate the good news that Jesus takes on human flesh from the womb of the Virgin Mary. In Mary's faithfulness, she becomes the icon of all believers who strive to live life in total obedience to God.

Before we enter into the Passion Week, the Holy Church gives us the festal celebration of our Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem. Fr Tom reminds us that, like Christ, we are to remain faithful and joyful on the way to, or in the midst of, the various crosses that we might face in our life.

On the eighth day after Pascha, we remember the appearance of the resurrected Christ to St Thomas and the apostles. Fr Tom reminds us that, as Orthodox Christians, we live in expectant hope of our own resurrection to eternal life, Christ Himself being the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep, the first-born of the dead.

Gifts are given to each one of us by God for the purpose of building up the body of Christ and being salt and light in the world. Fr Tom shows us how both of today's scripture readings clarify our purpose as individual members of the Church.

As the Church prepares us to celebrate the Elevation of the Precious Cross, Fr Tom reminds us that the Cross is the sign and reminder of the firm, unchanging truths found in the the person of Christ. (Sunday Before the Elevation of the Precious Cross)

A temptation for some Orthodox Christians is to take in the beauty of the church services while remaining somewhat mentally disengaged. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ's command to "launch out into the deep" is given to everyone to plumb the depths of the wisdom and word of God. (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich man is a dramatic story about the end result of a selfish life. Fr Tom reminds us that our most fundamental call as Christians is, not only to love God, but also to love our neighbor. (Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost)

In the parable of the Rich Fool, Christ warns us of the dangers of acquiring too many material possessions. Fr Tom reminds us that our life should always maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on love of God and of neighbor. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

On the great feast of Theophany, God shines the light of the Truth, in the person of Christ, to the whole world. Fr Tom reminds us that we also are individually given the gift of this light through our renewal, by virtue of our baptism.

The awesome day of the Lord's return in glory to judge the earth is presented powerfully by the words of the Lord Himself. Fr Tom reminds us that we will experience the mercy and truth of God's presence as the ultimate judgment of how we've lived His command to love God and neighbor.

Time is both an inescapable reality and a gift of God full of promise. On the Church New Year, Fr Thomas reminds us that God takes the finite time of each day and redeems it to become an experience of the Kingdom of God for us.

The Orthodox Faith is rich with tradition and discipline, but sometimes we can seem disinterested in being faithful to it all in our lives. Fr Thomas reminds us that obedience done out of love for God and each other is the "linchpin" which holds it all together. (13th Sunday after Pentecost)

The cross of Christ is the ultimate sign of God's love for his creatures. Fr Thomas reminds us that the cross is also a sign of the path that awaits us: our own cross. (Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross)

The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man is a dramatic illustration of the importance of being merciful to those in need. Fr Thomas reminds us that the torment experienced by the Rich Man is a result of his choice to ignore Lazarus laying at his gate. (Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the soils sets the tone for other parables taught by our Lord. Fr. Thomas reminds us that this parable brilliantly expresses the importance of both hearing and actively receiving the Word of God in us. (Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost)

When we hear about Old Testament Temple worship, we can sometimes think we're far removed from it. Fr Thomas reminds us that Orthodox Christian worship is, in fact, directly related to Old Testament Temple worship, because it's the fulfillment of those old forms and rituals. (Great Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple)

In order to further prepare our thoughts for the coming of Great Lent, the Church presents us with our Lord's description of His return in glory. Fr Thomas reminds us that the Last and Final Day is both terrifying and awesome, dread and joyful, as we prepare now in this life for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Sunday of the Last Judgment)

At the mid-point of Great Lent, the church brings out the precious cross in our midst for veneration. Fr Thomas reminds us that the cross is more than just a lifeless symbol, it's the very path of our salvation. (Third Sunday of Lent)

While discerning the will of God for us is an important aspect of our life, Fr Thomas reminds us that becoming a humble servant of all in every situation will ensure that we are always doing His will. (Fifth Sunday of Great Lent)

Jesus issued a stern warning in the book of Revelation for the church which was lukewarm and apathetic: "I will spit you out of my mouth." Fr Thomas reminds us that every Divine Service we attend at church, we have an opportunity "practice" the unity and care that we're called to manifest every day of the week. (7th Sunday after Pentecost)

Orthodox Churches are often culturally rich and sometimes churches hold festivals to showcase their delicious ethnic foods. Fr Thomas reminds us that, while there is nothing wrong with ethnic foods or festivals, we should ensure that our emphasis is on the Faith and that our focus is on Christ. (Eighth Sunday after Pentecost)