Give Me A Word

How do we prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord? The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield explores some of the obstacles we encounter in our lives today, highlighting the increasing levels of anger in our society and our reluctance to acknowledge and counteract the devil's influence. How do we avoid choosing the path of sin, which is death, and move towards the Lord, who is Life?

Fr Bogdan Bucur hones in on the question at the core of the parable of the Good Samaritan - and guides us in unpacking not only the character of the Samaritan, but the innkeeper, as well. What can we learn from the way the Samaritan entrusted the wounded traveler to the innkeeper, and can we see a model of the Church in the inn, where healing and care is taking place?

On the feastday of the Great Martyr Demetrios, Fr Alexander Rentel exhorts the faithful to hear the same call St Demetrios heard - to be martyrs, that is, witnesses to the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. While we may not be called to a brutal death in an arena, we are always called to witness to the love and life found in Jesus Christ alone.

The gospel account about the driving out of the legion of demons into a herd of pigs is read multiple times at Divine Liturgy throughout the year. In light of the baptism of a newborn earlier in the service, The Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield asks us to consider this passage afresh. We all undergo an exorcism in baptism - what does this mean for our lives and how must we engage in spiritual warfare?

The great chasm in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man looms large in our imagination - what is it made of? Why does Abraham tell the rich man that it cannot be bridged? Fr Vincent Temirov explains that this chasm was created by the rich man himself, through his indifference to God and his neighbor throughout his earthly life. Fr Vincent cautions us to examine ourselves and to identify any growing gaps between our own hearts and the Lord.

How can we receive and understand the Word of God? Is it enough to just sit down and read the Bible? In this homily given on the Sunday of the Commemoration of the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical council, Fr Alexander Rentel challenges us to cultivate our faith and knowledge of God’s Word in patience and endurance, so that our hearts may be truly ready to receive the seed sown by the Sower.

When Our Lord Jesus Christ beheld the funeral procession for the widow’s son in Nain, we read that He was “moved with compassion.” Fr Bogdan Bucur invites us to consider the Lord’s love for us in answering the age-old question - why does God heal some, yet allow others to suffer and die? How can we learn to see God’s promise to us that reaches beyond this life?

On the feast day of St Innocent of Alaska, the Very Rev. Dr Chad Hatfield reviews the life and personality of St Innocent, including many little-known details which paint a picture of who he was as a person. Fr Chad shares the key tenets of St Innocent’s missionary vision, and relates how St Innocent tirelessly engaged the Alaskan natives he worked with in conversation, inviting them to fall in love with the Orthodox faith and make it their own.

The Golden Rule - a classic maxim adhered to by Christians and non-Christians alike. However, the meaning of this commandment is often misunderstood; we are often motivated to do good to others in the hopes that they will respond in kind, whereas Christ calls us to give love freely, even unto those who will respond with hate and enmity. How exactly, Fr Vincent Temirov asks, are we to love our enemies? What does that look like in day-to-day life?

At the Vigil for the Feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos, Fr Bogdan Bucur dispels the false idea of divine protection from any and all suffering. The protective veil does not work magic - sometimes we suffer terribly, and the problems we pray about are not solved. The Mother of God herself experienced pain and agony when she witnessed her beloved Son and Lord crucified. To what end, then, do we seek the protection of the Mother of God? How does the Lord call us to know him through suffering in this life?