In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus illustrates the consequences of unforgiveness. Fr Thomas teaches us that it is the God of love, mercy, and compassion who commands us to forgive and warns us of the judgment to come if we do not.

Christians are called to live in the will of God, but how do we find it? Fr Thomas teaches us that living in the will of God means identifying with God's Kingdom and not with the values of this fallen world.

One day after the horrendous killings of 11 Jewish worshippers in a Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Fr Thomas gives a sobering reflection from the reading of the Sunday: the exorcism of the Gadarene demoniac.

On the Sunday before Christmas, the kingly lineage of Jesus according to St Mathew is read. Fr Thomas teaches us that the names recount that Jesus is anything but a distant ruler, but rather that He identifies with the brokenness of humanity and comes to redeem us from it.

Christmas is indeed a time to enjoy the delight of children during the feast. Fr Thomas teaches us to also remember yet another great gift of Christmas: we become children of God.

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.

The Gospel reading for the fifth Sunday of Lent relates the story of the audacious question posed by the apostles James and John, who asked for glorification without first drinking the cup of humiliation. Fr Thomas reminds us that this basic principle of the Christian life proves true even for seemingly mundane things that we might mistakenly think are unimportant, like going to church to worship.

The Resurrection of Christ destroys death, division, and despair. And though the Lord provides proof of His Resurrection to destroy doubt in us, our hearts must be unlocked from the inside through faith.

On the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers, we hear of the courage and love demonstrated by the men and women who cared for the body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Thomas reminds us that this is also a powerful reminder that we must never succumb to the disrespectful practice of cremation because we deeply care for the body that God created and will raise from the dead.

In John 4, Jesus, the Master Teacher, shares the good news with the Samaritan Woman that He is the Savior of the World, and brings her to a life-changing faith. Fr Thomas shows us how this incredible story is the pattern for sharing our faith in Christ with anyone.

On the Feast of Pentecost, Fr Thomas teaches us that our Christian life must be empowered by the Holy Spirit of God in order to be one with each other and to tell the world of the good things God has done for us.

On the Sunday of All Saints, Fr. Thomas gives clear and direct evidence from the scriptures explaining how and why we ask for the prayers of the saints who have gone before us.

Deacon Luke Loboda teaches us that because we bear God's image, we must resist being slaves to our bodily desires, living like mere animals. Instead, we're called to fulfill the potential of holiness in us by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, Jesus reveals Himself to the provider of all good things. Fr Thomas teaches us that when we receive communion, we receive the Lord Himself, Who provides the nourishment to live the Christian life.

Jesus told His disciples that they could not cast out the demon in the epileptic boy "except by prayer and fasting." Fr Thomas reminds us that if we want to live in the midst of the Kingdom of God, we also must strengthen our faith through these essential disciplines.

One of the greatest challenges that we face in our modern era is to resist the ever-changing values of the world. Fr Thomas teaches us that we receive truth, not from politics or social movements, but from the word of God which is planted in our heart by God Himself.

The famous parable of the Good Samaritan is often relayed as a story about doing good to others. However, Fr Thomas teaches us the background of the story and why the Good Samaritan points directly to Christ as the one who heals us in the Church.

As soon as our Lord is born in Bethlehem, the Scriptures record that the evil one is working through Herod to destroy him. Fr Thomas reminds us that the darkness will always fight against the Light, but we can choose our path wisely.

In the incarnation, God demonstrates His love for man, not only by sending His Son, but by uniting His Divinity to humanity.

On the Sunday after Theophany, the scripture readings teach us that the light of Christ shines in the darkest corners of the world. Fr Thomas reminds us that the Gospel is not simply for one culture, but for all people everywhere.

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.

On the Pre-Lenten Sunday of the Final Judgment, Fr Thomas speaks out against the false teachings of universalism, millenarianism, and the doubted return of Christ.

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

Fr Thomas encourages us from the scriptures to patiently endure the Coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to turn back to God in repentance.

Even as Jesus healed the Paralytic, Fr Thomas teaches us that the Jewish religious leaders sought to kill Him, because He dared to show compassion on the Sabbath.

During a Saturday Divine Liturgy, Fr Thomas taught from John 8:31-42, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

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.

In the healing of the Blind Man, Jesus restored the sight of a man born blind. Fr Thomas reminds us that the goal of our spiritual life is to purify ourselves so that we can see the glory of God.

On the Great Feast of Pentecost, Fr Thomas teaches us about our participation in the first Pentecost through the sacramental grace of the Holy Spirit in Chrismation.

During a Saturday morning Divine Liturgy, Fr Thomas teaches us that, being justified by faith in Christ, we must transcend the demands of the Mosaic Law.

At the celebration of the feast of All Saints of North America, Fr Thomas shows us the relationship between the holiness demonstrated in the lives of the Saints and our mission as Christians in the world.

How can we remain peaceful during the Pandemic? Fr Thomas presents the practical teachings of St Paul and the Lord Jesus Christ to give us perspective about how to actually grow in faithfulness during times of trouble.

Is the Kingdom of God some far away concept of heaven? Dn. Luke shares with us the tools the Church has provided to live as citizens in the Kingdom of God here and now as well as how to joyfully prepare for the fullness of the Kingdom at Christ's second coming.

We all receive an invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb, but how will we respond? Will we be found ready in our wedding garments? Fr. Tom calls us to look to the precious and life-giving cross to prepare ourselves as a bride waiting for the consummation of all things in Christ.

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.

Special guest Fr. John Mikita from Holy Ascension Church in Mount Pleasant, SC encourages us to recall the light of Christ when we face spiritual darkness. Fr. John also warns us that to encounter Christ is to have to choose between the darkness we're comfortable with and the change to which He calls us.

On the Sunday of the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers, Fr. Tom reminds us of the constant, unseen warfare that surrounds us. How are to understand the role of the Angels in our lives? Do we remember that they are our constant helpers? While this is true, we're not to forget that nothing will override our personal free-will and that we must choose always to be a disciple of Christ first and foremost if we are to benefit from the Angels' help.

Fr. Tom implores us to understand the parable of the Good Samaritan from a different perspective and ask ourselves, who is the Samaritan? Who is the one left for dead on the road?

Fr. Tom draws from both of the Scripture readings to tell us about the inner life of God and how it plays out in our interactions with one another.

On the Sunday before the Nativity, Fr. Tom reminds us of God's promise all throughout the Scriptures - that He is faithful and that we enter into His salvific plan as the Savior enters into our humanity at Christmas.

Fr. Tom calls to remembrance all of the ways that Christ fulfills the prophecy of the Old Testament - especially how He fulfills the role of King David.

Leading into the feast of Theophany, Fr. Tom calls to remembrance the Forerunner and how he points us to repentance in order to see clearly our Savior in the Holy Trinity.

As we inch closer and closer to the Great Fast, Fr. Tom harkens us back to the basics - that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, even those of us like Zacchaeus.

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.

What must we remember when we bow before the Holy Cross? Fr. Tom reminds us that the central call of the cross is to die to ourselves.

On the eighth day of Pascha, Fr. Tom reminds us to heed the signs which point us to the Eternal Day.

The story of the Myrrh-Bearing Women should serve as a reminder to us that the resurrection demands action on our part, including a bold proclamation of the truth.

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.