Preaching among the Palms

Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one turns back to glorify God and thank Jesus. Fr. Jeff argues that this is a story of discipleship: that often enough in the spiritual life the way forward is to go back, back to our Savior and Lord in gratitude and readiness to serve. The church is the place where this can happen, but we need to do a better job helping our own members not be just members but real disciples, something that the rest of the world craves too.

The disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Rather than give them a straightforward answer, he gives two enigmatic replies, one implying that even a tiny amount of faith can work wonders, the other implying that we can never have enough faith. So which is it? Fr. Jeff tries to give an answer.

What is Saint Michael doing in heaven when he wages war against the dragon whom John calls the devil and satan? How are we to understand what the angels are doing on the other side of our human perspective on reality? Fr. Jeff preaches on the angels and how Jesus makes it possible for us to live with them wherever he has opened the gate of heaven on earth.

Fr. Jeff preaches on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Jesus uses the Greek word krisis when he says "now is the judgment of this world." Certainly our culture feels like it is in a crisis moment. Now is the time to walk with Christ that we may become like Christ.

In Luke's Gospel Jesus says that we cannot be his disciple without hating our families. Fr. Jeff explains the paradoxical meaning of this "hard saying" of our Savior.

Jesus tells two parables in today's Gospel reading: one about attending a banquet and one about hosting a banquet. Fr. Jeff shares his thoughts about our Lord's teaching.

Today's passage from Hebrews refers to God as "a consuming fire." Fr. Jeff explains this dramatic imagery in terms of two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Our God is the God of both mountains; He is to be approached in both trepidation and hopeful confidence.

Hebrews informs us that faith is " the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Fr. Jeff shows how these two things are true of the faith of our ancestors, most especially that of Abraham, through whom all nations are blessed.

Jesus pays a visit to the home of Martha and Mary; Fr. Jeff explains what is so controversial about their interaction.

Today's passage from the Gospel of Luke contains our Lord's teaching on the two great commandments: love of God and love of neighbor. Fr. Jeff relates this teaching to the famous parable of the Good Samaritan.