In our Orthodox Church this first Sunday of the fifty days of Pentecost is often called Thomas Sunday because of the Gospel which we have just heard read. We remember especially that St Thomas was not present when the Lord Jesus first appeared to the other disciples, and he insisted that he would not believe […]
We often discover that when one habitual sin becomes partly or completely overcome then the deeper root of that sin is exposed. In the case of many habitual sins it is essentially pride, self-will and self-indulgence. This can be especially the case in our feelings and attitudes towards others. Sometimes people appear to be unpleasant, […]
Matthew 6:19-30 The passage we have read from the Gospel of St Matthew seems to me to be full of opposites and full of choices. We are used to having to make choices in our lives. Where will we live? What job will we apply for? What subjects will we study at school or university? […]
In the passage from the Gospel today, we have heard our Lord Jesus Christ instruct us to pray for our enemies and put up with all manner of injustice and persecution. When there have been terrorist attacks in Egypt, and brothers and sisters in our Coptic Orthodox Church have lost their lives and been martyred, […]
There were many times that the Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ asked questions of him, or of each other. Usually they had completely misunderstood what he was saying, and he had to correct them, or even challenge their wrong attitudes, such as when they wanted to know who was the greatest Disciple. But on […]
Today we keep the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. We remember in the Gospel reading that the Holy Family are greeted by Simeon, who says those words which are repeated by the priest as he circles the altar, censing the Gospel, and are read in the Midnight Praises… […]
We have a beautiful passage set for us today in Luke 6:35-38. It is short enough to quote here completely. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful […]
In this reading from the Gospel, in Luke 12:41-50, we find the Disciples asking the Lord Jesus whether or not his teaching is for everyone, or only for them. The Lord Jesus speaks about the servant who is always ready for the return of his Master, and does not spare any effort in doing those […]
In the Gospel reading for today our Lord Jesus speaks with the Disciples about what greatness in God’s eyes looks like. The Disciple probably used the sort of measures of importance that we often do. Who seemed to spend most time with the Lord? Who did he talk to most often? Or perhaps who […]
Very often, when Orthodox Christians discuss the devastating issue of suicide, they restrict themselves to the question of whether or not someone who takes their own life – which is what sui-cide means, should receive a Christian burial or not. I hardly want to consider that perspective at all. It seems to me to leave […]