In today's society Christianity has been reduced to the "prosperity Gospel of name it and claim it". Today is the midpoint of Lent and on this third Sunday of Lent the Orthodox Church brings out the Cross for our contemplation and veneration. Father Gregory shares with us both the historical setting of the Gospel lesson taken form Mark 8:34 - 9:1 and it's spiritual significance for the Orthodox Christian. There is no Christianity without denying our own will and carrying our crosses. We pass through The Cross to gain Glory.

Father Ernesto shares with us that Our Lord sees us as people and not our condition, which is opposite from society.Today in Orthodoxy is the second Sunday of Great Lent and the Gospel Lesson is from Mark 2: 1-12. In the Gospel Jesus shows the people He is God by healing the mans paralysis but not before forgiving his sins. Forgiveness leads to healing and reminds us of the Sacrament of Confession, which is available to Orthodox Christians and allows for a personal encounter with the Risen Lord.

Today is the first Sunday of Great Lent. It is known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy because we commemorate the restoration of Holy Icons back into the church. Father Micah shares with us how Icons have from the early church not only taught the faithful but carried us into Christ's presence. Icons are windows that fill our world with light and truly reveal our Lord's Incarnation.

Today in Orthodoxy is Cheesefare or Forgiveness Sunday. Father Gregory shares two themes the Church wants to communicate by way of the Gospel taken from Matthew 6:14-21. The Expulsion of Adam and Eve is commemorated today to show us how disobedience separates us from God. While forgiveness between God and man unites us with Him and others.

Today we celebrate the third Pre-Lenten Sunday also known as Meatfare or Judgement Sunday. Bishop Alexios share with us that this terrifying judgement will depend on how we love other people in the life.

It has been said that if all of Jesus' words were somehow erased except the parable of "The Prodigal Son" Christianity would continue to flourish. We are all familiar with this parable that has three characters the father, the older son and the younger son. Father Paul shares with us he has never tired of reading or preaching this parable in forty plus years. The message the Church wants us to here is one of repentance and belief.

One not need look far for examples of prideful behavior in our society. In today's Gospel reading we here the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, both of whom went to the temple to speak to God. Father Paul shares with us that there is indeed a correct way to pray; that being the content along with the disposition of humility and faith. As the Gospel says " whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

They say you cannot judge a book by its cover and yet most of us struggle with the sin of being judgmental. In the Gospel lesson for today taken from Matthew 15: 21-28 judging a woman who was not a Jew. The Canaanite woman came to Jesus imploring Him to have mercy on her and heal her daughter. Jesus refers to her as a little dog because the disciples saw her that way. Jesus teaches the disciples and us that she is a woman who is humble, persistent and has tremendous faith by healing her daughter.

Today Father Micah shares with the youth a few words about The Presentation of Our Lord. He in his always loving and caring way reminds the kids that we as Orthodox are to live our lives following the pattern of Jesus'.