On the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Church presents the Gospel reading of the healing of the demon possessed boy, and we also commemorate St John of "The Ladder." Fr Thomas teaches us that, if we want to spiritually grow, we have to be able to accept God's difficult answers to our ultimate questions.

On the Sunday of St Thomas, we hear of the encounter of the Apostle with the risen Christ. Fr Thomas teaches us that we too must make every effort to encounter the resurrected Christ both in the Holy Scriptures and in the Eucharist.

in Romans 10, St Paul writes about the importance of his fellow Jews hearing about Christ and why it's important for their salvation. Fr Thomas reminds us that evangelism should not be a foreign concept to Orthodox Christians. We must get comfortable with sharing our faith in Christ and speaking about God's work in our life.

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.

"God is Love" has become one of the most abused verses of Scripture. It's used today to justify every sin and excuse every condition. Fr Thomas urges us to look at the entirety of the Gospel message to truly understand the implications of being a creature of God Who is Love.

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.

Fr. John Parker, Dean of St Tikhon's Orthodox Seminary in South Canaan, PA, delivered the sermon on the Seventh Sunday of Pascha. Fr. John shares the story of his new leadership position at the seminary and how he grew to know the life of the seminary through daily experience. He reminds us that our knowledge of God must exceed simply knowing about Him to become instead the daily experience of God as members of the Church. (The recording begins in mid-story as he relates a call he received from Archbishop Michael to organize a talk at the All-American Council on church growth.)

On the Feast of All Saints of North America, Fr Thomas reminds us of our Apostolic mission and how to meet the unprecedented challenges facing us in the 21st century.

As Christians, the Holy Spirit gives us a new perspective on life and that includes what we do with our time, talent, and treasure. In short, everything belongs to God. He gives it all to us as a gift and we're called to offer a portion back to Him in thanksgiving.

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.

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.

When we hear about the miracles that Christ performed for people, it can seem distant. Fr Thomas reminds us that the grace they received is the same life-giving power that we are granted in the Eucharist: the fullness of Christ.

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.

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.

At Christ's entry into Jerusalem, there were those who were wondering how they could be rid of Him, those who were wishing He would be a social activist, and those who worshipped Him as the Son of the Living God. Today is no exception.

On the first Sunday of Lent, we celebrate the triumph of Orthodoxy over the icon smashers. Fr Thomas gives us some straight talk about the Orthodox Christian faith, the nature of truth, and our relationship with world religions. (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Exhorting us from the Parable of the Talents, Fr. Tom reminds us that - as true members - we must use our gifts to build up the Body of Christ.

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.

Fr. Tom meditates on how encounters with Christ and His miracles - both today and in the Scriptures - elicit opposite responses. We see some who accept them and some who deny them in the most vicious ways. What will your response be?

Tying together the Gospel readings from this week and the week prior, Fr. Tom lays out the reality that the One who prays, the One who walks on water, the One who gives us Himself in the Eucharist is always present . . . especially in our trials.

Often we're quick to hope that we can identify with the Good Samaritan in the Scriptures; however, Fr. Tom reminds us that Christ is always the Good Samaritan, and we are the ones broken, on the side of the road awaiting His healing.

Listen as Fr. Tom reminds us that, to fully worship God, we need both our souls and our bodies.

Everyone has encountered long periods of suffering and grief. How do we engage these times in a manner that is beneficial to our spiritual life? How do we develop patient endurance? Listen as Fr. Tom brings this encouraging message of hope in Christ.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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

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.

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 came to earth to undo the ravages of sin and death. He could only do this by taking upon himself our flesh.