Posts Tagged ‘Gospel of Matthew’
Christ is in Our Midst
The traditional greeting among Orthodox Christians is much more than a greeting. To be able to say, “Christ is in our midst,” is only possible because the Holy Spirit has revealed the truth of God to us. We cannot see Christ among us, but through the Holy Spirit we know He is here. The Lord…
Read MoreWho is Your Father?
Of the many accusations against Christ was the claim to know what where He came from. Of course, this was a ruse because they didn’t want to admit that He was Christ. So, they kept asking Him questions. They ask us all sorts of questions too, but we never properly answer. The Lord said to…
Read MoreOne Disagreement Away from Enemies
I have watched best friends willing to die for each other, only to stop talking over a single disagreement. We put so much energy into our relationships that when they ‘go bad’ we are lost. Even family members can turn on each other if loyalties don’t align. In those days, Saul was with the disciples…
Read MoreLife is Greater with Jesus Christ
You might be wondering why you would want to leave the wealth and glory of the world behind ‘just’ to follow Jesus whom you have never seen with your eyes. The world has great things to offer, but all the money and prestige is nothing compared to the glory that comes with Christ. At that…
Read MoreThese Saving Days
Our 2025 Daily Lenten Journey comes to an end today with a review of why it all matters. We have been fasting for weeks now. We have been diligently making our prostrations in front of our icons. You may not have been paying attention, but it was all for a our salvation. I saved my…
Read MoreLamplighting Prayer Four
How much is enough when it comes to blessings from God? Our 2025 Daily Lenten Journey on prayer has focused on how each prayer inspires our faith. The prayers teach us to pray. Today’s prayer helps us answer the question, “How much is enough?” O You Who are praised by the holy powers with never-silenced…
Read MoreEpisode 445 – Forgiveness is about Reconciliation
On Forgiveness Sunday, the Gospel teaches us that God will only forgive once we have forgiven others. This is difficult when we fight about who was right and who was wrong. Since all since is against God, then forgiveness comes much easier. If we can forgive for reconciliation rather than right or wrong, then we…
Read MoreEpisode 444 – Loving Others As Christ
The Parable of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25 can confuse us into believing that our actions will save us. Our judgment isn’t about the works that we do, but our ability to love others as if we are loving Christ. Even our giving to the Church should be out of love for God and…
Read MoreNo Such Thing as Self Authority
Throughout the ancient world, and still in some places today, some leaders declare themselves the authority. They go by all sorts of names. Kings and emperors are the ‘nice’ names. They are also knows as dictators. There is no such thing as ‘self-authority’ in the Church. At that time, as Jesus was teaching the people…
Read MoreThe Blessings from Obedience
We talk a great deal about obedience in the Orthodox Church. For many this is misinterpreted to be about control instead of blessings. In a secular world committed to self-made empires, the idea of being obedient is the furthest thing in our minds, but the most blessed option. BRETHREN, one does not take the honor…
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