(Read St. Luke 11:5–13) Following His teaching on prayer, our Lord deepens the lesson with a parable that reveals both the persistence required in prayer and the generosity of God who answers it. A man goes to his friend at midnight seeking bread for a traveller in need. Though the friend is reluctant, the petitioner’s […]
Reflection on St. Luke 11:1-4
(Read St. Luke 11:1-4) In this passage we see the disciples not asking for power, wisdom, or signs, but for instruction in prayer. Having witnessed the Lord at prayer, they long to share in that same communion. Their request, “Lord, teach us to pray,” expresses the deepest yearning of the human heart — to speak […]
Reflection on Jonah 3:1–10
(Read Jonah 3:1–10) The account of Jonah and the repentance of Nineveh is among the most vivid portrayals of divine mercy in the Bible. It is a testimony not only to God’s sovereignty but to His boundless compassion, showing that even the most wayward of peoples may be restored if they turn from evil and […]
Reflection on St. Luke 10:25-37
“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, making trial of him, and saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answered and said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all […]
Reflection on St. Luke 10:17–24
(Read St. Luke 10:17–24) The disciples return rejoicing, filled with holy awe at the authority granted to them through the Name of Christ. Even the demons, they declare, are subject to His power. However, the Lord gently redirects their joy. He acknowledges the victory they have witnessed — the fall of Satan, swift and irrevocable […]
When Christ Commands the Nets
“Simon answered, saying, ‘Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.’ When they had done this, they caught such a great number of fish that their net was beginning to tear. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to […]
A Pastoral Word on the Recent Violence Within the United States
We awaken to yet more tidings of sorrow. Within the space of but a single day, five mass shootings have torn through the heart of the United States. The land groans beneath the weight of grief. Families are left in anguish, communities stand bewildered, and souls are wounded in ways that cannot be measured by […]
Homily on the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel
Readings: Revelation 1:1–5; Saint Matthew 18:1–10 The readings for today confront us at our centre, making us examine our complacency. They are not light words to be admired and then forgotten; they are thunderous proclamations of the Lord’s will and demands upon His people. From the beginning of the Apocalypse, Saint John shows us that […]
The Hiddenness of Prayer and Humility of the Heart
“Do not trumpet your achievements, and be not hopeless when you sin.” (St. Ephraim the Syrian) In these few words, he points out two dangers that ensnare the Christian soul, 1) pride in outward show and 2) despair in inward weakness. Both are contrary to the way of our Lord Jesus Christ, who bids His […]
Addressing Priests as “Father”
Question: Why is it that Protestant have such a problem with priests being called “Father”? Response: It is often objected by certain Protestants that the words of Christ in Matthew 23:9 forbid the use of the title “Father” for clergy. “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which […]