A homily for the Procession of the Precious and Lifegiving Cross, held on August 1 (OS)/August 14 each year.

Looking at the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Bp. Irineos reflects upon how the Lord forgives uncountable sins with the exuberance of heavenly love, and how this model of forgiveness must guide our lives, and how our examination of our own sins leads us to a natural tendency to forgive others.

Bp. Irineos departs from the readings for Sunday to reflect on why Orthodox homiletics focus on understanding God and scripture, and not as much as on self-help or advice for life in the world. Acknowledging that our worship is shaped by how we understand God, Bp. Irineos encourages us to draw closer to God by seeing how he has revealed himself to us.

Examining today's Gospel reading (Matthew 14:22-34) where Christ comes to the Apostles walking on the water, Bp. Irineos looks at the reaction of Peter to discuss some of the errors in the Protestant conception of receiving Jesus, and also how we, like Peter, can lose focus on the things that matter and put ourselves in peril!

Examining today's epistle (1 Cor 1:10-18), Bp. Irineos notes how the first and last verses hold vital truths for Orthodox Christians: the importance of the unity in faith and the ongoing active nature of our salvation. Both of these points are largely ignored by modern sects who do not heed Paul's calling.

Bp. Irineos looks at the Gospel reading of the day and discusses why the Gospel teaches repeatedly on faith, how it works with our initiative, and how we show our faith in modern culture.

On the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, Bp. Irineos looks at how God used these flawed leaders to spread the true faith to all the ends of the earth.

In todays Gospel (Matthew 9:1-10), we hear the account of Jesus's healing of the paralytic. In this account, Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytics as the means of restoring him to health. What is the connection between our sins and illness, and how can we look to be restored to spiritual and physical health?

In today's Epistle reading (Romans 10:1-10), Paul speaks of his hope for the salvation of the Jews through Christ. Bp. Irineos examines the issues causing Paul's concern and discusses whether present day Christians share the same concern for the salvation of those outside the Church as Paul had for the Jews.

On Father's Day, by coincidence we have the appointed two readings which remind us of the loving provision our heavenly father makes for us. Bp. Irineos discusses these readings and how our preoccupation with our worldly needs leads us to abandon both God and Christ.