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.

Our calling this week is to enter into the profound contrast between the ways of the world as we know them and the life of our crucified and risen Lord. Especially today, it is easy to focus on what is going wrong, on what we have lost already or may lose in the future.

As we continue to celebrate Theophany in a world that remains in “the region and shadow of death,” let us focus mindfully on living each day as those who have died to sin and risen with our Lord to a life of holiness. That is how we may wear a garment of light and become living epiphanies of the salvation of the world.

Today we celebrate that the Lord is at hand, for He is coming into Jerusalem as the Messiah, hailed by the crowds as their Savior. He does not come to usher in an earthly reign or to serve any nationalistic or political agenda. He enters Jerusalem on a donkey, a humble beast of burden, carrying no weapons and having no army. He had no well-oiled political machine to tell the powerful people what they wanted to hear or to manipulate the masses. His Kingdom was and is not of this world.

Like the rich man, many want a spiritual pat on the pack for continuing down whatever passion-driven path they have followed so far.

Even as the circumstances surrounding Christ's Nativity were not peaceful by conventional standards, welcoming the Prince of Peace into our lives requires embracing the inevitable tension of mindfully entrusting ourselves to Him as we come to share more fully in His fulfillment of human person in the image and likeness of God.

In the midst of the ongoing tragedy unfolding in the Holy Land, we must attend to the wisdom of our father in Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch, who stated this week that “Peace does not come from the bodies of children, killed people, innocent people, and women. Peace comes when the decision-makers in this world realize that our people have dignity, as all the peoples of the world. We are not advocates of war, we reject violence and killing, and we are seekers of peace…” He writes that we pray “for peace in the entire world, for stability, and for the repose of the souls of those who have passed away. We pray that the wounds of the sick be soothed and they might recover, for the wounds of every hurting person, every bereaved mother, every brother, and every sister, for everyone’s wounds. We ask the Lord to protect us and grant us peace…”

How do we understand God’s wrath, when there is also His love and peace?

In this final episode of “Light from the Canticles,” we contemplate the Song of Simeon, also known as the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32), with help from select fathers, Genesis 26:26-30, 2 Samuel (Kingdoms) 20:41-42, Isaiah 54:10, and Nehemiah 8:3. The elder Simeon’s song of blessing and gratitude becomes ours as we remember the fulfillment of God’s promises, and rejoice in the Incarnate One, who has brought us release from sin and death. Next episode we will start a series on the Psalms sung at Vespers, in the Divine Liturgy, and in our daily readings: “Light from the Psalms.”

The Very Rev. Dr. Philip LeMasters speaks at the St. Vladimir’s Seminary 2011 Orthodox Education Day.

Between now and Christmas, Dn. Michael Hyatt teaches a short series entitled Peace on Earth. In this episode he focuses in on unresolved conflict at home, work, and church and the tools given to us by God to avoid them.

In part 2 of his mini-series during this Nativity season, Dn. Michael Hyatt works through the Matthew 18 principle of reconciling with our brother and uses his own family to help illustrate the point.

Whether it's a cello solo on the streets of Mumbai or a random act of kindness in your community, we all can be instruments of peace.

Many begin their day praying that it will be greeted in peace. Molly Sabourin gives us a glimpse into her morning routine and the difference it can make in her outlook.

Reflections written by Fr. Nicolaie, about communicating with a refugee, and Memory Eternal to Tom.

Sermon on the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious Cross (I Corinthians 1:18-24; John 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-28, 30-35)

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

The Church is the community where Christ has established peace among all people. Fr Tom reminds us that we should live in that mercy and peace with everyone we encounter. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

In a pluralistic society, the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the way, the truth, and the life, can become a casualty, even in the minds of Christians. Fr Thomas reminds us of the uniqueness of the Christian message: that the only way to peace with God is through faith in Christ. (This episode of our podcast introduces a new format, interspersing the thoughts and comments of faithful parishioners. We hope you enjoy it!)

Everyone has difficulties and problems that they face on a daily basis. Fr Thomas teaches us that in the midst of the storms of life we can experience the "peace from above" which is found only in Christ.

Christ gives peace but more importantly He IS our Peace.

The great theme of Lent is repentance. That is the turning of our minds and hearts to God. The fact is that we can only do this through the work of Christ. He is the great Peace-Maker; He makes our repentance possible by His reconciling work.

Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says "the work is not ours" therefore, anxiety is removed.

Fr. Gregory preaches on how to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Fr. Emmanuel Kahn says whatever illness or problem you may be experiencing, give thanks to God. He has not brought that illness or problem upon you, even if He has permitted it to happen

Fr. Emmanuel gives the 2nd sermon on Pascha. The first one of course, was read by Fr. Gregory and it was the Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom.

We can know when Christ is present in our lives because He brings us a deep sense of inner peace.

How could Jesus enter a room through a locked door and then show the disciples the wounds of the Crucifixion in His hands and His sides? Fr. Emmanuel Kahn explains how the Church Fathers interpret this Biblical passage.

In this homily given on Great and Holy Thursday, we meditate with Fr. Pat both on the encounters that Moses, Job, and Isaiah had with God, and on Jesus’ agony in the garden, and the significance of these various events as they pertain to our daily practice.

In Ephesians 2:14-22, St. Paul references the psychological, social, and historical aspects of the faith. Fr. Pat offers reflections on these.

The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is certainly the gift of God. But St. Paul considers a great deal of human effort to be necessary for its maintenance. It does not take care of itself. Fr. Pat fleshes this out.

On Palm Sunday, at the beginning of this saddest of weeks, St. Paul exhorts us, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice."

In the petitions of the Great Litany, we begin by asking "for the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls." Only after we have asked for this peace do we ask "for the peace of the whole world." Christ is the source of our peace, and the only possible source of peace for the whole world.

Fr. Pat's homily delivered on the Sunday of the Holy Cross, 2008.

Rory McIlroy hopes the presence at the Dunhill Links Championship of the men involved in talks aimed at ending the split in men's professional golf is a "good sign".

Donald Trump's return to the White House can help pave the way for peace in golf's 'civil war', says four-time major champion Rory McIlroy.