Pastoral Reflections

“The people walking in darkness has seen a great light… The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it… I am the light of the world, whoever believes in me shall not walk in darkness but will walk in the light of life.” (Isaiah 9:2; John 1:5; John 9:5) Listen »

A few years ago Tony Campolo, a sociologist and professor from Eastern University, flew to Hawaii to speak at a conference. He tells the story of how he checked into his hotel and tried to get some sleep. Unfortunately, his internal clock wakes him at 3:00 a.m. The night is dark, the streets are silent, the world is asleep, but Tony is wide awake and his stomach is growling. Listen »

Sinter Klaas, the Dutch name that we Americans transliterated into Santa Claus, obviously refers to Saint Nicholas, one of the most beloved of all saints throughout the world, and whose memory is actually celebrated today on December 6th. Travel across Europe and you can literally find thousands of churches named in honor of St. Nicholas. Greece and Russia look upon St. Nicholas as the patron of their country. In fact, in almost every port throughout Greece you will find a St. Nicholas Chapel, signifying him as the patron of sailors. And not only sailors, but orphans and children turn to St. Nicholas as their patron and protector. Listen »

Lord, help me to have a continual “Attitude of Gratitude.” Listen »

Being “Rich Towards God.” What does that mean? Are you “Rich Towards God?” Listen »

As we continue to deal with the contentious aftermath of our presidential election, I really want to challenge all of us to take a step back and look deeply and honestly at ourselves and our actions over these past weeks and months. Whether supporting the left or right, whether rejoicing with Biden or sympathizing with Trump, or simply agonizing over the sad reality of our broken country and its uncertain future with our divisive and angry spirit, as Christians we need to pause and reflect, and then deeply repent! We need to sincerely repent over the ways we’ve given in to fear and turned away from trusting in God. We need to soberly repent for allowing ourselves to fall into the many ways of worshiping and trusting in the idols of our society, idols we’ve created with our political leaders and even the idolatry of our ideologies! Listen »

“Reach out and touch someone!” Do you remember that advertisement for a telephone company many years ago? I think it must have been when I was a youngster back in the 1970s, but I still recall the ad encouraging us to pick up the phone and call someone. “Reach out and touch someone!” Listen »

In the midst of these angst-filled days following our presidential election, our society is filled with fear. Fear about the future. Fear about the opposing presidential candidate. Fear about those who don’t see the world as we do. Fear of the strangers. Fear of the foreigner and immigrant. Fear of the extremists, whether right-wing or left-wing. Fear of our former friends who have now become our enemies because they are voting differently than ourselves. Listen »

”Who are you?  and What is your name?”  The name of every individual is very important to the identity of who someone is.  A name, in past times, often told us something about a person – whose son or daughter they were, what family they came from, what profession they held, and what their cultural or religious tradition is. Names are very important. How many parents tell their children, “Be careful of what you do or how you behave, because we don’t want you to embarrass the family name.”  Names are a sacred part of who we are. Listen »

“My brother is my life,” noted St. Silouan. Think about that for a moment. My brother or sister is my life. The other, my neighbor, my co-worker, my acquaintance, the person I encounter on the street or in my daily routine, is my life. As individualistic as we Americans can be, our Orthodox Christian faith runs radically counter to this autonomous spirit. Listen »

Good news that offers love and joy. Good news that fills us with strength and hope. Good news that overcomes all darkness and even death itself. Good news that ushers in the kingdom and reign of God. Good news that renews our lives. Listen »

Jesus teaches us in his famous Sermon on the Plain “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:27-30) Listen »

How many of us truly want Jesus Christ to live in us, to know that God is always with us, dwelling in us? Shouldn’t that be the goal of our Christian lives? Isn’t that the Good News we try to proclaim week after week – that God wants to live in each one of us, and He wants us to live in Him?!? Listen »

As we approach our political elections two months from now, we all hear plenty of political ads. Unfortunately, many of these ads are filled with fear, negativity, half-truths and distortions, along with outright lies of what the other candidate said. All this in an attempt to influence and even manipulate the voters. Listen »

Think about this comment Jesus offered to the rich young ruler who approached him. “If you want to ENTER INTO LIFE, keep God’s commandments.” Listen »