Homily from November 6 (Oct 24 OS). The Epistle today is Galatians 2:16-20 ("Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.") This reading is often time plucked out of context and history by Protestants as a defense of "Faith Alone" and for the bizarre proposition that Paul somehow put faith in opposition to works. But this is nonsense. This passage is actually a rejection of Judaizing, particularly its abhorrent philosophy which presupposes the Mosaic law as part of our Salvation. We must understand this passage for what it is: it is not a rejection of Christian good works or their role in our salvation—it is not even relevant to that! Rather it is a rejection of any philosophy that finds Christ insufficient for our justification and eventual salvation.

Abp. Irineos discusses the constant refrains of Christian persecution in our culture and compares the approach of those who claim persecution today with the example of the martyrs, whose persecution was a great evangelical boon to the Christian faith. Does our modern outrage culture draw non-Christian observers to the faith?

In today's Gospel, the lawyer tempts Christ by asking Him the greatest commandment in the Law. Christ's response to love God and love your neighbor as yourself defines the essential obligations of Christian. In today's homily, Abp. Irineos comments on how our modern culture seeks to replace the love of God with the love of self, and decries the frightening implications of the incessant indulgence of love of self.

In today's Gospel reading (Matt. 19: 16-26), the rich young ruler turns away from Christ because his love for riches is too great to trade even for the promise of eternal life. In his homily Sunday, Abp. Irineos warns that this is not just a cautionary tale about riches, but that any sin can take hold of us to such a degree that it can cause us to turn away from Christ. Instead, Abp. Irineos urges the faithful to take the first step to war against the passions, trusting that God will supply what we lack to make the impossible possible.

On the Feast of the Dormition, Abp. Irineos reminds of us the model of human purity and obedience that the Theotokos is for each of us. In reflecting upon the Gospel reading of the Unmerciful Servant, he contrasts the calling we all have to live faithfully, obediently and chastely with the mercy and forgiveness God shows to us when we fail. Being recipients of this grace, Abp. Irineos urges us to not be like the unmerciful servant but to show the same mercy to those who fail us, and to be in all things charitable and loving, as our Father is to us.

As we commemorate the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Abp. Irineos remarks on the Epistle and warns the faithful that we must constantly be on guard against both the wolves without and the traitors within who would pervert the faith for their own ends.

On the Feast of the Ascension, Abp. Irineos urges the faithful to be emboldened by Christ's raising of our physical flesh to the heavens, and, knowing the heavens to be our intended home, to keep our hearts and minds on the heavenly things, even as we toil in this world.

For Thomas Sunday, Abp. Irineos discusses both the doubt and faith of Thomas and the less discussed ordaining of the apostles from today's Gospel reading. In both parts of the reading, Christ reveals Himself in His Divinity and the belief of the Apostles shines for like a lamp illuminating the whole world even to the present day.

On the Feast of Our Lord's Entry into Jerusalem - Palm Sunday - Abp. Irineos briefly explains the significance of the palms spread before the Lord by the children before reflecting on the fickle crowd that today proclaims him King of Israel but in a few short days will cry "Crucify Him, Crucify Him, we have no king but Caesar! and how they reflect both humanity and each of us individually.

On the Sunday of Saint Mary of Egypt, Archbishop Irineos discusses the strange means by which the sinful Mary of Egypt became a beacon of hope for all sinners and one of the most beloved saint of the Church.