Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/show-mercy

The Gospel Reading today records the “Revelation to St. Joseph,” that is, the announcement from the Angel Gabriel on how Mary, who was soon to be engaged to Joseph, will conceive a son, not by human/physical means, but by the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/show-mercy

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/gods-hand-of-protection

A brief review of the history of the world shows us that there has always been a tradition of “the hand” in Middle Eastern culture, which signified the protection of God from evil (people). This tradition is also found in Jewish culture. It is not rooted in Biblical proofs, rather as an adoption of cultural norms prevalent in the Middle East.

Biblically speaking, the hand of God (1 Peter 5:6, Psalm 110:1) signifies the following: creating the universe, protection from evil people and dire situations, healing, and comfort from pain and sorrow. There are more but these are the most significant.

Theologically speaking, St. Gregory of Nyssa, one the of the three “official” theologians of the Orthodox Church, defines the hand(s) of God as Jesus Christ (right hand) and the Holy Spirit (left hand).

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/gods-hand-of-protection

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/your-voice-has-power

In the previous sermon, we learned that we need to listen to the voice of God, that is, understand how God speaks to us. Then we learned how to say yes to the voice of God. Now, it is time for us to use our voice for the upliftment of other people.

Today in the Gospel reading we hear that St. Mary visits Elizabeth. In her visit, St. Mary greets Elizabeth. In so doing, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and the baby (St. John the Baptist) in her womb leaped for joy. It is incredible that the voice of St. Mary could fill Elizabeth with the Holy Spirit and make the baby in the womb leap up and down. This demonstrates that St. Mary’s voice has power. How does a voice have power? The voice is powerful when the person with that voice is filled with the Holy Spirit, through prayer, fasting, reading God’s word, and following the commandments of God.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/your-voice-has-power

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/if-not-you-then-someone-else

Today in the Gospel Reading we hear of the Angel Gabriel appearing to St. Mary and announcing to her that she will conceive through the power of the Holy Spirit the Son of God who will redeem the world and bring salvation to many. The Orthodox Christian is typically literate about the plot of this narrative. As such, ideas arise that question St. Mary’s uniqueness and specialty in the work of salvation by God. Often that sounds something like this: Mary is not special because God could have used anyone. This argument trivializes the fact that St. Mary, with humility and strong faith, responded to the angel with an acceptance of what God wanted to do with her life. Yes, we as Orthodox Christian believe that she could have said “no,” but she didn’t; and that is exactly the point. She accepted the “calling” and became the “chosen.” So logically the question arises: what if she didn’t accept. The answer is clear! God would have used someone else. This is not in any way an attempt to minimize the importance of St. Mary. On the contrary, this viewpoint exalts St. Mary, because it was her holiness, humility, and faith that allowed her to say, “yes” to God.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/if-not-you-then-someone-else

Weekly homily delivered by Fr. Gheevarghese John

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/my-sheep-hear-my-voice

In the context of the Gospel that is ascribed for today’s reading, Jesus is challenged by the Jewish people, “How long do you keep us in doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24) Jesus answered them saying, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness to me. But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) Here, Jesus clearly teaches that if we “belong” to Him, we will “hear” his voice and “follow” him. He does so by making an analogy to the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/my-sheep-hear-my-voice