What is worship?

Homily 696– 7APE Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 19, 2026 Epistle:  (116) Romans 15:1-7 and (334) Hebrews 13: 7-16 Gospel:  (33) Matthew 9:27-35 and (56) John 17:1-13 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Don’t know if anyone has noticed or thought about…

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We are not the way God created us.

Homily 695– 6APE Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 12, 2026 Epistle:  (110) Romans 12:6-14 Gospel:  (29) Matthew 9:1-8 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Our priorities are all messed up in our day.  And have been since the fall of humanity, when…

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The name of “Lord” is subversive.

Homily 694– 5APE Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 5, 2026 Epistle:  (103) Romans 10:1-10 and (213) Galatians 5:22-6:2 Gospel:  (28) – Matthew 8:28-9:1 and (24) – Luke 6:17-23 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. First off, my apologies for putting the incorrect…

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Bringing back persons.

Homily 693– 4APE Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa June 28, 2026 Epistle:  (93) Romans 6:18-23 Gospel:  (25) Matthew 8:5-13 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. I spent a lot of time in the car this week.  Which is dangerous for me, because it…

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Why Christ died for us.

Homily 692– 3APEints of North America Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa June 21, 2026 Epistle:  (88) Romans 5: 1-10 Gospel:  (18) Matthew 6:22-33 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul makes a statement that has echoed…

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Our Country is not our Kingdom.

Homily 691– 2APE All Saints of North America Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa June 14, 2026 Epistle:  (81-ctr) – Romans 2:10-16 and (330) – Hebrews 11:33-12:2 Gospel:  (9) Matthew 4:18-23 and (10) Matthew 4:25-5:12 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. This Sunday we…

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Becoming a saint.

Homily 690– 1APE All Saints Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa June 7, 2026 Epistle:  (330) – Hebrews 11:33-12:2 Gospel:  (38, mid-79) – Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-30 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Today, the feast of All Saints, is a good time to…

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Oneness.

Homily 689 – Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa May 31, 2026 Epistle:  (3) Acts 2:1-11 Gospel:  (27) John 7:37-52; 8:12 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. We should speak about the Holy Spirit.  We know that the Spirit was given to the…

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Moses and Pentecost.

Homily 688 – 1st EC Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa May 24, 2026 Epistle:  (44) – Acts 20:16-18, 28-36 Gospel:  (56) – John 17:1-13 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. This passage of the Gospel is really quite challenging to keep track of…

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The spirits that distract us from God.

Homily 687 – Blind Man Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa May 17, 2026 Epistle:  (38) – Acts 16:16-34 Gospel:  (34) – John 9:1-38 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Christ is risen! Let’s spend a moment considering the Epistle reading from the Acts…

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