Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost

As the popular holiday of Thanksgiving in the USA approaches, we gather around our tables to focus on being thankful to God for the many blessings He has given us. Fr Tom reminds us that the only thing we will take with us when we die is our virtue, not our 'stuff.'

Throughout the scriptures the imagery of the supper is used to depict the hospitality of God toward us. Fr Tom reminds us to respond well to the invitation to be united to Christ. (Twenty-ninth Sunday after Pentecost. Sermon given in Florida.)

The Christian life is surely a paradox. Our Lord teaches those who love Him that if they want to be exalted, they must be humble; if they want to be great, they must be a servant. Fr Thomas leads us into Holy Week by telling us that the Lord Jesus Christ not only teaches this paradox, but He lives it, and by so doing, He wins our salvation.

We've all heard the saying "paradoxy is Orthodoxy". Fr. Tom discusses the path to salvation found by embracing the paradoxy of life and choosing to bear our cross.

Dn. Christopher is the guest homilist for the Sunday of the Paralytic.

Christ our God gave the paralytic a choice, and respected his free will, when He asked him:- “Do you want to be healed?”. As always, He asks the same question of each one of us.

In the Epistle for today from the closing verses of Chapter 6 of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, St Paul gives us a challenge and a promise. He challenges us to change how we are living; and he promises us that if we separate ourselves from idols, God will be loving and gentle and care for us with great mercy.

On a new Ex Libris, the podcast of Ancient Faith Publishing, host Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Strickland, the author of The Age of Paradise: Christendom from Pentecost to the First Millennium.

Dr. Rossi talks about the many paradoxes in Orthodoxy that defy explanation but at the same time define our faith.

Dr. Rossi talks with iconographer Khouria Erin Kimmett about the icon most associated with the resurrection.

After coming home from a visit with Matushka Juliana Schmemann, Dr. Rossi reflects on aging and the preparation for the next life.

Dr. Rossi shares his thoughts on the meaning and purpose of the trees in the Garden of Eden for us today.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the paradoxes within Orthodox Christians.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. John Mefrige, a professional Marriage and Family Therapist from San Antonio, Texas. From February 15 through 18, Fr. John will be leading a marriage preparation seminar at Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. The registration deadline for this retreat is February 1.

Fr. David Bozeman, Fr. James Bozeman, and Fr. Christopher Foley discuss their experience as members of the band Luxury and introduce the new documentary about that experience. The entire band suffered through an accident in the early Nineties that led to their conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy. Here is the trailer for the documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y4jIPn96Ig.

Fr. Pat explains how the Parable of the Talents is really about the Last Judgment.

Fr. Pat shares his homily from the Sunday of the Paralytic.

Fr. Pat discusses three experiences associated with prayer to Jesus.

Fr. Pat discusses the history of Great Lent and the practice of fasting.

Fr. Pat examines three components of the parable.

In the parable of the Vineyard and the Vinedressers, Jesus is not giving a moral teaching, as might be expected, but rather is presenting His own story about His relationship to God and to the people of Israel. Fr. Pat discusses this.

Fr. Pat reflects upon the inseparability of the message of Christ from the Person of Christ, and how that affects three aspects of our lives: our piety, our forgiveness of others, and our justification.

Will we be judged by history? Is a thing wrong because those who are in power say it’s wrong? Fr. Pat looks at Jesus’ words about the Last Judgment from Matthew 25.

In the parable of the sower and his seed from Luke 8, we learn about parables themselves, and as with all parables, we’re admonished to find ourselves in Jesus’ words.

The calling of the first four apostles gives us a model of the calling each of us receives from Christ. Fr. Pat looks at three qualities of this calling.

On the Sunday of the Paralytic, Fr. Pat reflects upon a most pernicious kind of paralysis—the spiritual kind.

“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

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.” (1 Corinthians 6:9) The Prodigal Son left the warmth and safety of his Father's house and joined himself to people that left him empty. And, when he returned, his Older Brother refused to welcome him. We often focus on the incredible mercy that the Father shows (which is important). But it may be more helpful to focus on how both the Prodigal Son and Older Brother forgot who they are. Because we, too, can easily forget that we are children of the Father. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee166

On the May 6, 2012, program, Kevin's guest was Father George Aquaro (Antiochian Orthodox priest), who has done advanced training as an exorcist. Continue the conversation on the Ancient Faith Today Forum found HERE.

Guests: Father John Whiteford (ROCOR) and David J. Dunn, PhD, author of the Huffington Post article, “Gay marriage: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective.”

Does anyone notice any difference in you when you've met with the Lord?

God gives each of us an immense amount to work with. Our task is to double the amount by trading and taking risks with it, by making use of Grace for the Kingdom of God. The stakes are high.

We know that clarity cures busywork. We also know that action brings clarity. When you’re stuck and lacking clarity, take action and just get started. But don’t get lost doing busywork disguised as procrastination.

Tyrrell Hatton's victory at last week's Dunhill Links Championship provides pause for thought about how Europe’s leading tour might approach an uncertain future, writes Iain Carter.

Shabnam Younus-Jewell chats to Mark Davis about his 30 plus years as a professional.

An Aberdeen ambulance crew deals with several alcohol-related calls in one tough shift.

Sir Lee Pearson says he fears noise emanating from a new storage building will impact his training.

A tiny bear taken to war and handed down to his granddaughter attends every parade - in her pocket.

The high-end store has apologised for not hosting Paralympic athletes alongside Team GB Olympians.

People across the south of England pay their respects to fallen service men and women.