Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the Gospel reading from Thomas Sunday.

Given what we do know about the divine mercy we have received, gratitude must become an abiding characteristic of our lives. That means that we must become like the Samaritan leper in today’s gospel reading.

In preparing for Great Lent this year, we must remain on guard against the temptation of self-exaltation in any form.

We must devote ourselves to prayer, fasting, almsgiving, forgiveness, and other forms of repentance in the weeks ahead if we are to open the depths of our brokenness to the healing of our Lord’s humble, suffering love. That is the only way to become like the tax collector in spiritual clarity, for he was aware only of his sin and need for God’s mercy. We must know the true state of our corruption and weakness as he did, if we are to enter into the joy of the Lord’s resurrection.

In order to follow our Risen Lord into the joy of the resurrection, we must also open our deepest personal struggles and wounds to Him for healing. Our bodies are not evil, but we have all distorted our relationship to them. Instead of pursuing a disembodied spirituality that ignores how God creates and saves us as whole persons, we must embrace the joy of His victory over death by living as those who are in a “one flesh” communion with the Risen Lord in every dimension of our existence.

In order to follow our Risen Lord into the joy of the resurrection, we must open our deepest personal struggles and wounds to Him for healing.

The plight of the paralyzed man shows us the common condition of fallen humanity. None of us took the initiative in bringing salvation to the world and this fellow did not ask Christ to help him or even know His name. The Lord graciously reached out to him, nonetheless, asking the seemingly obvious question, “Do you want to be healed?” The Savior’s words should challenge each of us because we often become so comfortable with our weaknesses, desires, and habits that we do not think that we need healing at all.

Fr. John looks at a couple of consequences of St. Augustine's anthropology in the West.

Fr. John describes the desanctification of the world that began to occur in the time leading up to the Great Schism.

Fr. John discusses the baptism of Saint Vladimir and shares an introductory anecdote about the death and canonization of Saints Boris and Gleb.

Fr. John addresses the foundations in the West of a growing pessimism about man's condition, paying particular attention to Augustine.

Fr. John discusses the Christian statecraft of early Christian Russia.

In this episode Father John describes the rise of the Muscovite state within Russian Christendom, and the way its Orthodox leaders began to see themselves as heirs to the fallen Byzantine Empire.

Fr. John discusses the dignity of man according to the Greek Fathers

Fr. John contends that to understand the coming of the Renaissance and its humanism, one really needs to understand how in the West the doctrines about man became increasingly pessimistic.

Fr. John continues to discuss St. Augustine by looking first at his notorious doctrine of original sin and its impact on the conception of man in the West.

We consider the humility of Jesus and the Theotokos in the Presentation, as well as the reason why humility is so important, as seen in our readings for Divine Liturgy this Sunday (2 Timothy 3:10-15; Luke 18:10-14), in the light of Hezekiah’s plea before God in 4 Kingdoms 19:9-20 and our Lord’s own pattern in Philippians 2: 5-11.

This week, as we approach Great Lent, Dr. Edith Humphrey helps us prepare our minds by focusing upon godly humility, as seen in Job, in the model laid out for Timothy by St. Paul, and in the well-known parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.

After completing our analysis on the troparia, kontakia, and theotokia, we turn to reading the epistles for Divine Liturgy, beginning with this week’s section from 2 Timothy. The Apostle Paul’s words to this young leader are applicable to everyone, not simply to those who lead the Church, since the Scriptures, Old and New Testament, are for all. We seek to understand the Apostle’s instructions by reference to Psalm 118 (MT 119), and by remembering those who have suffered for their faithfulness—most especially our Lord Jesus himself.

Psalm 3, sung during Sunday Matins, is full of various “arising” actions. We understand its drama in the light of David’s trouble with his son Absalom (2 Sam/Kgdms 15-18), the Psalm that Jesus prayed from the cross, Isaiah 60, and some wise ancient commentators.

"The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican" from The Parables of Christ by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

55. Book 1: Great and Holy Saturday from the Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (duration 3.33 mins) Book 2: Pascha, The Feast of Feasts from the Three-Day Pascha Series by Mother Melania (Conciliar Press, 2006) (begins at 4:18, duration 3.32 mins) Book 3: Christ has Risen, Children! by Svetlana Visotskaya (The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, 2001) (begins at 8:00, duration 4.02 mins)

Fr. Ted reminds us that partaking of the Eucharist is the true climax of Pascha.

Fr. Ted asks, "What happens when are neither the Publican or the Pharisee?" The Triodion calls us back to the roots of our faith to engage fully in the life of Christ's Church.

Father James Bernstein, author of the newly-released "Surprised by Christ: My journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity", speaks about his conversion from Judaism to Orthodoxy and why he believes Orthodox Christianity is the "fulfillment" of biblical Judaism.

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! This is the anthem of Pascha, and since it was in fact Holy Week and Pascha last week, we have decided to "go lite" this program hour and air a 20-minute interview segment we did last month with local Phoenix evangelical drive-time radio program host Andrew Tallman in lieu of a full study hour. So enjoy, and next week we'll tackle another topic. A blessed Bright Week to all.

In this program, we revisit Orthodox Holy Week with selected passages from the Holy Tradition - in the hope of trying to convey the richness of the "conversation" between God and the Church. For Christ invites us to go with Him to the Holy Cross, and we find ourselves both willing and unwilling, like the repentant harlot and the betrayer Judas, like the good thief and the blind and unbelieving crowd. Glory to God in Christ! He overcomes the wrath and sins of mankind through love and humility in His Suffering and tramples down Death by Death.

Beginning of the Lenten Triodion

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 Sunday of All Saints, the gospel reading reminds us of the narrow way of being a disciple of Christ. Fr Thomas powerfully contrasts the imperatives in Christ's teaching on discipleship with the contemporary rise of the "Dones," those who illogically proclaim themselves faithful to Christ but "done with church."

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.

Fr. Christopher asks, when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, is Church Tradition honest? Could the whole story have been made up? Surely anything less than honesty in the Church is not acceptable.

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.

Let’s consider why these three disciples—Saints Peter, James and John—were chosen by Jesus Christ to come up with Him to this “high mountain apart” from all His followers. Let’s consider also the response of St Peter as the spokesperson for the three disciples.

On a new “classics” edition of Ex Libris, the podcast of Ancient Faith Publishing, we re-explore one of the more timeless AFP offerings. Featured today is the book Surprised by Christ: My Journey from Judaism to Orthodox Christianity by Fr. James Bernstein.

Paschal images abound in this well loved Psalm prophesying the resurrection and ascension of our Lord.

Dr. Albert Rossi interviews the Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel, the new Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America. Fr. Alexander recently gave a homily in the chapel of St. Vladimir's Theological Seminary on the topic of the paschal light of Christ at work in risen Christians.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the inevitability of surprises occurring in our lives and how our mindset directs the way in which we receive them.

Fr. Philip LeMasters discusses the sexualized culture of Hollywood.

Bobby Maddex interviews the conductor Peter Jermihov about a concert of Orthodox Lenten and Marian hymns that will be performed by the St. Romanos Choir at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 7, 2013.

In this homily given on St. Thomas Sunday, 2012, Fr. Pat examines three subjects related to the resurrection of Christ our Lord.

Christ is Risen! What does that mean for the rest of us?

We all know incense smells nice, but why do we use it in our services? It's an important reminder about what God gives us, and what we offer to God.

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) What this Episode is About: The Pharisee fasted, prayed, and gave to the poor. He did all the right things we're supposed to do. So what exactly did he do wrong? The Triodion Period begins with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee to ground us in the righteousness of God rather than our own pride and delusion. Because, like the Pharisee, we don't always see ourselves clearly. We can easily lead ourselves astray. Self-deception happens when we turn inward, trusting in ourselves and our own abilities to evaluate our own righteousness, especially against the perceived lack of righteousness (or even just rightness) in others. And the antidote to this self-deception is to turn to someone outside of us who can redirect our hearts and minds toward the One who Is. Not a false teacher, but a true teacher. Just like Saint Paul guided Saint Timothy. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee165

Imposters and Evil Men!

Two people entered the Temple. One said "What a lucky God you are to have a follower like me!" The other said "What a lucky man I am to have a God like You!"

What happened at the House of Loving Kindness? The Lord has the same plan for you! Acts 9:32 -42, John 5: 1 - 5

Acts 5: 12 - 20, John 20: 19-31