The Ladder Homilies

In this Ladder Homily, Rev. Fr. Abey George of St. Thomas Orthodox Church, Long Island, reflects on the Gospel account of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt and their uncertain journey back to Nazareth. While Christmas is often associated with peace and stability, this homily reminds us that the Nativity also unfolds amid fear, movement, and uncertainty.

Drawing from Christ’s teachings about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, Fr. Abey challenges us to examine how our desire for certainty can become an idol that feeds worry and anxiety. True peace, he explains, is found not in control or comfort, but in trusting God, doing what is right, and surrendering ourselves to His will.

This episode invites listeners to move from anxiety to faith, from fear to trust, and from worldly concerns to a life rooted in the Kingdom of God.

In this Nativity homily, we are invited to shift our gaze from the frenzy of Christmas preparation to the mystery of what—and whom—we truly celebrate. So often, our attention is consumed by shopping lists, party planning, fasting rules, and the outward details of the feast. Yet the Gospel calls us to something greater: to contemplate the astonishing humility of the God who became man.

Framing the birth of Christ in its real historical context, the homily reminds us that Jesus entered a world marked by political oppression, displacement, and violence. The Holy Family’s journey to Bethlehem was not romantic or peaceful—it was a response to imperial demands, leaving them helpless in the face of forces far beyond their control. And the newborn Christ, whom we greet with joy today, became a refugee almost immediately after His birth.

This reality challenges our comfortable, idealized images of the manger. Christ sanctified every stage of human life by taking it on Himself—and therefore, in every human being, regardless of race, culture, or status, we are called to recognize Him. Even the wise men, with all their learning, fell prey to their own expectations, searching for a king in a palace rather than in a cave. Like them, we too often overlook Christ because He appears in unexpected places and people.

As we celebrate this feast once more, the homily urges us not simply to enjoy Christmas, but to reflect on its meaning. The Child born in Bethlehem must also be born within our hearts. He must be protected, nurtured, and given room to grow within us, so that His presence transforms our lives and allows His light to shine in a world still darkened by suffering.

Christmas is not only a celebration—it is a calling. May the Christ who comes to us today become visible in our hearts and in our lives.

In this homily, we explore a question many believers may never think to ask: Why did Jesus come from the line of Judah? Why not from Joseph—the most accomplished of Jacob’s sons—or from one of the more righteous tribes of Israel? The Gospel reading from Matthew 1 reveals something astonishing: the Messiah’s genealogy is filled not with the best and the most faithful, but with the broken, the sinful, and the deeply imperfect.

As we revisit the stories of Abraham, Jacob, Judah, David, Solomon, and others, we discover a lineage marked by deception, adultery, idolatry, violence, and failure. Even the women named—Tamar and “the wife of Uriah”—remind us that Scripture does not hide human sinfulness. And yet, through 14 generations of unfaithfulness, God continued to move His plan of salvation forward.

This message challenges the assumptions we often bring to our spiritual lives—that God works only in the humble, the just, or the God-fearing. While humility and righteousness matter, today’s Gospel shows that God also works through the unfaithful, the undeserving, and the broken. That truth is not an excuse for sin, but a powerful source of hope.

Standing before the Holy Mysteries, we are reminded that none of us is worthy—not even the priest who wears the vestments. Yet by grace, God makes us worthy, and He calls us not to the outward appearance but to the inward heart. Just as God chose Judah’s line—not for its greatness, but for His own purposes—we are called to offer our imperfect hearts to Him, trusting that He can work redemption through even the most unlikely of people.

As we prepare to receive the Holy Qurbana, this homily invites us to purify our hearts, to strive for faithfulness, and to stand in awe of the God who is faithful even when we are not.

In this homily, we reflect on the quiet but courageous role of St. Joseph in the story of Christ’s birth. Unlike Zechariah or Mary, Joseph receives God’s message not through a visible angel but through a dream—an encounter easy to doubt, yet powerful enough to change the course of salvation history. As Joseph wrestles with confusion, fear, and the shocking news of Mary’s pregnancy, we see a man who chooses compassion, humility, and obedience over suspicion or pride. God works through his openness, reminding us that the divine plan often unfolds in ways beyond human understanding.

We are challenged to resist the temptation to explain every mystery with our intellect alone, remembering the warning of the Church Fathers that Scripture cannot be grasped by reason alone. Instead, we look to Joseph, who trusted God even when he could not fully comprehend His ways. The angel proclaims that the Messiah comes not to build a political kingdom but to “save His people from their sins.” As we prepare for the Nativity, we are reminded that we, too, have been liberated from sin through baptism—and now bear the responsibility of living a life worthy of that freedom. May we, like Joseph, have the courage to follow God’s call, even when it comes to us as a whisper in the night.

In this homily, we reflect on the heavy worries and anxieties that often fill our lives—especially in the busy days leading up to Christmas. From bills to traffic to holiday pressures, stress seems unavoidable. Yet God has a way of using even the most frustrating parts of life to fulfill His purpose. Through the story of Joseph and Mary traveling to Bethlehem because of a census and taxes, we see that God can use ordinary burdens to bring about extraordinary grace. Just as taxes played a role in fulfilling prophecy and revealing Christ, our own worries can become places where God is at work. We are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25: “Do not worry about your life.” God, who can work through taxes, can surely work through anything we face. Let us enter the Christmas season with peace, trusting in the God who brings salvation through unexpected means.

In this homily, we turn our attention to St. Joseph—an ordinary man with an extraordinary calling. As we prepare for the Feast of the Nativity through fasting and reflection, we revisit the familiar Gospel narratives. Yet year after year, these stories remain living lessons, inviting us to look deeper. Joseph appears briefly in Scripture, but in that short time he plays a pivotal role in salvation history. When faced with Mary’s mysterious pregnancy, knowing the severe consequences she could face, he chooses compassion. And when God speaks to him in a dream, he responds with courage, obedience, and humility.

Joseph’s story challenges us to see beyond miracles and supernatural signs. It invites us to notice how God works through simple, ordinary people—people who may not be scholars, priests, or leaders, but whose hearts are open. Joseph, a carpenter and likely a man of simple means, becomes the protector of Christ and the guardian of the Holy Family. His quiet faithfulness carried the Savior safely through danger, exile, and uncertainty.

As we hear these narratives each year, they remind us that the call Joseph received is also a call to us. The world still needs Christ to be revealed—through our words, our compassion, and our courage to stand for Him when His name is mocked or misunderstood. Like Joseph, we are invited to take responsibility, to carry Christ into the world, and to make the Incarnation real in our time.

May the example of this humble and holy man inspire us to answer God’s call with the same faith and willingness. May God bless us all.

As we walk through the Advent fast and prepare our hearts for the Feast of the Nativity, this homily invites us to slow down and truly reflect on what—and Who—we are preparing for. Drawing from the Gospel reading on the birth of St. John the Baptist, the Forerunner, we explore the beautiful mystery of how God uses John as the voice announcing the coming of the Word.

Through the prophecy of Zechariah, we hear again that the world sits in darkness—and yet a great light is coming. This message, proclaimed more than two thousand years ago, is not only a historical moment; it is a living reality that should be renewed within us every year, and every day.

This homily meditates on the birth of John the Baptist, the greatest among those born of women, and invites us into the deep, mystical wonder of Advent: the anticipation of God entering our world, our history, and our lives. Rather than being swept away by festivities and outward celebration, we are called to let the Holy Spirit lead us into contemplation, repentance, and joyful expectation.

A brief but profound reflection on light, prophecy, and preparation, this message encourages us to ready our hearts for the coming of Christ, just as John prepared the way two millennia ago.

In this homily, Father Vijay reflects on the birth and mission of St. John the Baptist and his call to repent. But repentance, he reminds us, is more than saying “sorry”—it is the work of repairing relationships: with God, with one another, and with the most vulnerable around us.

Drawing from a local story of homelessness in our own community, this homily challenges us to examine the walls of comfort we build around ourselves. Are our hearts truly prepared for Christ’s coming? Are we ready to serve others wisely, compassionately, and responsibly—not like the monkey who meant well but acted without preparation?

Through the lens of the Nativity Fast, Father Vijay calls us to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving so that our hearts may be shaped into vessels God can use—just as He used Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John the Baptist.

In this powerful and thought-provoking sermon, we explore an unexpected question: What does it truly mean to be a rebel? Drawing from the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah, who courageously broke social expectations by naming their son John, we discover that holy rebellion has always been part of God’s story.

Framing Christianity itself as a “rebel movement,” this sermon reminds us that every baptized believer is called to rebel—not against God, but against the devil, sin, and everything that draws us away from holiness. Through vivid examples from Scripture, Church history, and the teachings of St. Paul, we learn practical and accessible ways to resist temptation, cultivate virtue, and train ourselves—and our children—to stand firm in Christ.

Whether you are young or old, this message challenges you to ask: Whose side am I on? Am I rebelling against God or against the evil one?

A stirring call to live boldly, faithfully, and counter-culturally, this sermon invites us to be rebels for righteousness, following the examples of St. John the Baptist, the Mother of God, and all the saints who fought the good fight before us.

Speaker: Rev. Fr. Abey George

Parish: St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Long Island, NY

His Grace Zachariah Mar Nicholovos offers a beautiful meditation on the Gospel narrative of John the Baptist’s birth. Reflecting on Zechariah’s prophecy, His Grace explains that salvation in Christ is not merely a future hope but a present reality that frees us from fear and reshapes our lives. As we approach the Feast of the Nativity, we are reminded that every Christian shares John’s mission: to prepare the way of the Lord and to guide others into the light of Christ.