Pharisees opposition and Jesus' decision to go to Jerusalem.

Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem, Introduction to chapter 14 and outline

Jesus heals a man with edema on the Sabbath

Jesus teaches on humility and the dangers of pride and self-exaltation.

A teaching on hospitality

Explanation of the parable of the Kingdom and the distinction between the carnal, natural and spiritual person.

The banquet and refusing God's invitation to attend

Final discussion of heavenly banquet, Eucharist discussion

The Cost of Discipleship

The cost of discipleship, final lecture

Outline and summary of general themes for chapter 15, initial discussion of the Parable of the Lost Sheep.

he Parable of the Lost Sheep

Parable of the Lost coin and Introduction to the Prodigal Son, part 1

Introduction to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Part 2

Introduction to the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Part 3

Fr. John summarizes the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in just two words.

In this new 10 part series, Fr. John introduces his topic which relates the necessity of intercessory prayer to the world circumstances we face.

In part 2, Fr. John connects the opening prayers of the Divine Liturgy to the real life issues facing our world. He begins with a typical family preparing for church on a typical Sunday morning.

In our Divine Liturgy we pray "In peace let us pray to the Lord." We all want peace but what does it mean to be a peace maker?

In the 3rd litany of the Divine Liturgy, we pray for the "good estate of the holy churches of God." This is a global as well as a local prayer for our parishes. As we take in new members to our parishes, what are our responsibilities to them?

In the 4th litany of the Divine Liturgy, we pray for this Holy House, and those with faith, fear, and reverence enter therein.

In the next litany of the Divine Liturgy, we pray for our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Fr. John tells us why this is so important.

Fr. John now reflects on the litany for those in civil authority and our armed forces.

All around the world there are droughts, famine, and disease. How do our intercessory prayers at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings touch the people impacted by them?

As Fr. John continues through the litanies of the Divine Liturgy he reminds us of the quote, "we are saved together but we are damned alone."

In this final reflection on the petitions in the Divine Liturgy, Fr. John gives some alarming statistics of those "in tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity."

Fr. John shows how our cultural deterioration brings us closer to the conditions that the early Church thrived in.

Fr. John notes the differences between problems and crosses to bear.

Fr. John examines how the advent season prepares us for the Nativity of Christ.

Fr. John Oliver discusses the true meaning of repentance, becoming the person that God desire us to become.

Fr. John compares the worldviews of Joni Erickson Tada and Christopher Reeve.

Fr. John Oliver explains how we can repel the Holy Spirit, and how we can become alive in the Holy Spirit instead.

Fr. John Oliver reminds us that we work out our salvation in the individual particulars of our own lives.

The Ancient Faith Men's Retreat runs August 22-25, 2024.

Listen to this exclusive "interview" with the author of a new (wink, wink) book on proper church etiquette.

Listen to this exclusive encore "interview" with the author of a book (wink, wink) on proper church etiquette.

Here's a remastered version of Fr Joseph's interview with Fr. Danislav Gregorio, author of the book, An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, taken from the forthcoming audio book version of We Came, We Saw, We Converted.

Miss Jane gets a tongue lashing, Mr. Bodine speaks in tongues. Things go dark as Fr. Joseph interviews Dr. Indadark. In the end, lacking the main ingredient, it's all just peas and carrots. Suffice it to say: Love covers a multitude of podcasts.

From Oral Roberts to Black Oak Arkansas, strange things happen. Whoa! There goes Uncle Ernie runnin' 'round the church! Then, there's bread and wine. Oh, you'll just have to listen (no interpretation necessary).

While "rugged individualism" may be a cultural trait, it sure won't save you; and although blindness is a serious handicap, Converts may insist on being in the driver's seat. Whether we want it or not, American Orthodox Converts need help.

With help from his daughter, Fr. Joseph tries to stay on pitch while singing Dan Idzikowski's "Superchristological and Homoousiosis".

With the election of a new Metropolitan for the Antiochians and fresh-from-seminary newly ordained men throughout the Church, one thing’s for sure: Their feet are the same as, well, yours! Here’s a three-peat on clay feet.

The recent announcement by Pope Benedict of the formation of "a special provision for Anglicans, including married clergy" to come home to Rome got Fr Joseph wondering about his own journey and what he, and they, believe. He agrees with the pope!

Suffering from a case of Lenten white boy funk, Fr Joseph revisits the Orthodox Urgent Care Hospital. (He also promises next week's podcast will be on The Tonight Show!)

What's the difference between Purple People and White People? Oh, and what's eating the Orthodox these days? (It's memory lane with bases loaded; for some, Lent can't end soon enough.)

From clerical-collar-wearing altar boys, to postpartum Paschal choir directors, to (apparently) Alice Cooper and KISS attending the Paschal Matins ... Fr. Joseph's seen it all. And you've never heard the Good News till you've heard it read in German, with a Japanese twist, and a Southern accent.

From clerical collar-wearing altar boys to (apparently) Alice Cooper and KISS attending the Paschal Matins -- Oh, and you've never heard the Good News till you've heard it read in German, with a Japanese twist and a Southern accent. (In this "blast from the past," Fr. Joseph even describes how to get one's choir-directing wife to "do her job" only 48 hours after giving birth!)

Fr. Joseph, in this Sunday morning sermon, announces the pending changes to the worship services of St. George, Houston. Well, kinda ...

(Fr. Joseph dedicates this program to the memory of Fr. Matthew MacKay, who would have appreciated the humor—he hopes.) This week the Orthodixie podcast catches up with the author of An Empty Church is a Peaceful Church, Fr. Danislav Gregorio, about his new book, Speedy Sacraments for Liturgical Losers.

Fr Joseph—in his previous life—rolled yards, bent forks, painted water towers, and was, on more than one occasion, killed by his father. (Some of which is actually true.) In the end, hats off to fear!