We first receive, then give.

Homily 227 – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa September 4, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Even though I trained as an accountant, and still work in finance during the week, one subject I tend to avoid is…

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Making mountains dance.

Homily 226 – Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa August 28, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Christ speaks of faith, and of power. The faith to move mountains. The faith to heal. The faith to eliminate those who…

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Eyes to see.

Homily 225 – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa August 21, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. There is a bit of irony in the Gospel reading this morning. Peter – the Rock – walking on the water, sinking…

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Becoming human.

Homily 223 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa August 7, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Something in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans is striking in its simplicity, and at the same time, its complexity. He says…

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Confidence in our Bishops

Homily 222 – Transfiguration Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa August 6, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. The Transfiguration of our Lord is, to say the least, an important event in the life of the Church. We see it not only in…

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The trinity of the natural order.

Homily 221 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 31, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Christ left the land of the Gergasenes, and traveled across the lake. As we read last Sunday, he was asked to leave.…

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Confessing Christ is a revolutionary activity

Homily 220 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 24, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. The more I read St. Paul the more I appreciate the revolutionary nature of his message. In the letter to the Romans,…

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The Freedom of Slavery

Homily 219 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 17, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. Today, St. Paul tells us something absolutely startling. He tells us that we are slaves. We were slaves – and we remain…

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Content in the Kingdom of God

Homily 218 – Second Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 10, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. This passage may be one of the most important passages in the most important sermon ever preached. It is part of the…

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All Things Saintly

Homily 217 – Second Sunday after Pentecost Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Ames, Iowa July 3, 2016 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God. When we hear the words of St. Paul talking about the saints, it is easy to have the image of the New…

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