Homily – The Other Cross

On the Sunday after the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Galatians 2:16-20; Mark 8:34-38; 9:1) Fr. Anthony explains why the image of the Cross (vs. for example, the sun) is so important for framing the Christian/True approach to salvation and holiness.  After stretching the metaphor of gardening (and yes, he really did swing from […]

Homily – Christ, Moses, Snakes, Demons, and Salvation

In this homily on St. John 3:13-17, Fr. Anthony describes how we are like the Israelites in the wilderness being bitten by serpents for our sins; and how Christ lifted up is still the way to healing, harmony, and salvation.  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Homily: Salvation as Letting Go

In this homily on Matthew 19:16-26, Fr. Anthony encourages us to move away from a transactional approach to salvation (what must I DO?!) to one that is transformative (who must I become).  He also point out that we need to learn to listen in humility to the very end.  Enjoy the show! Check out this […]

Homily – The Dormition

In this bit of homilizing (it really doesn’t rate the full moniker “homily”) offered on the Feast of the Dormition (Old Calendar), Fr. Anthony puts together some ideas inspired by the Feast.  It wasn’t particularly well-organized or well-presented, but it was offered with love, both for God’s mother and for the people gathered to celebrate […]

Homily – The Dormition as a Family Story

In this reflection offered on the Sunday after the Dormition (New Calendar), Fr. Anthony explains that the theological points that are affirmed in the life of the Theotokos – to include her falling asleep – are important while noting that our relationship to her is familial rather than intellectual.  Enjoy the show! Check out this […]

Homily – The Virtue of Loving Enemies

1 Corinthians 3:9-17 (we are a temple); Matthew 14:22-34 (walking on water).  Sunday of the Cross and Maccabean martyrs.  Fr. Anthony compares our situation to that of Peter on the water, then encourages us to reach out to Christ and turn our lives into living temples through virtue.  Such a temple can protect us from […]

Homily – A Transfigured Perspective

1 Corinthians 1:10-17 and the Transfiguration.  In this well-intentioned mess of a homily, Fr. Anthony diagnoses our divisiveness as a maladaptation to chaos and describes how the peace of Tabor can become a mechanism for moving us from the tribalism of Babel to the graceful unity of Pentecost.  Ignore the bit on multiple reactions to […]

Homily – Marshmallows, Faith, and Perfection

Matthew 9:27-35 and Romans 15:1-7.  Faith is hard.  Trust is hard.  But they are key to our healing and perfection.  Today Fr. Anthony offers encouragement to all those who have been hurt and who want to be made well, but have a hard time being vulnerable because of the many times the world has used […]

Way of Ascetics – Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen

Today Fr. Anthony continues leading us through Tito Coliander’s “Way of Ascetics” (St. Vladimir Seminary Press), covering chapters fifteen and sixteen, both “On Prayer.”  Enjoy the show! Check out this episode!

Homily – Love OFTEN Means Ignoring Your Feelings

Homily on Matthew 9:1-8 and Romans 12:6-14.  The main point Fr. Anthony tries to make is that all of our actions need to be graceful and kind, that our “consciences” are unreliable guides to what is good, and that our feelings often need to be sacrificed for the sake of doing what is right.  Money […]