The Word at Christ the Savior

Fr. Joseph explains that we are called to keep the word of God, which is much more than just to listen to it. Rather it’s the constant meditation on it and obedience to God’s word that blesses our daily life. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Joseph Abraham – January 22, 2023 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angeles www.thegoodsavior.org Christ the Savior American Coptic Or...

Fr. Joseph explains that when God said “Out of Egypt, I call my Son”, He was not only referring to Christ, but to all of mankind. He further explains that Egypt, as it applies to us, is the place of captivity and sin. Each of us is inside of our own Egypt, and we are reminded that God is calling us out of the place of captivity and sin, so that we may be filled with His grace and walk in the calli...

Fr. Joseph explains that when we allow God’s light in us, we are able to shine in darkness. At times we give darkness more attention rather than focusing on allowing the light of God to shine through us. God’s light shines in us in three distinct areas: in our soul, in our relationship with God, and in our relationship with others. Tune in to learn more about each area. Fr. Joseph Abraham – Januar...

Fr. Joseph speaks about the incarnation of Christ and how He came to offer Himself for us, in turn, we must also offer ourselves to Him by worshiping Him with pure joy and with all our hearts. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Joseph Abraham – January 6, 2023 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angeles www.thegoodsavior.org Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Dio...

In this four part series, Fr. Joseph meditates on the joys of the Christmas season, throughout the month of Kiahk. In this fourth and final part, he explains the joy of repentance and being renewed in Christ. Repentance gives us the joy of a new start with unlimited opportunities to restart and try again. When we confess and expose our thoughts to a priest, we are set free from those sins and beco...

In this four part series, Fr. Joseph meditates on the joys of the Christmas season, throughout the month of Kiahk. In this third part, he illustrates this in St. Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. She went hastily to serve her cousin, and put her needs last, even though she was also pregnant and needed rest. Fr. Joseph explains that when we serve, it is not us who serve, but Christ himself who serves thro...

In this four part series, Fr. Joseph meditates on the joys of the Christmas season, throughout the month of Kiahk. In this second part, he explains that in times of darkness, we must rely on Christ in pure faith so that His grace could shine through our darkness. He illustrates this by pointing to St. Mother Teresa’s life. We only saw her joy, but many weren’t aware of how much she struggled with...

In this four part series, Fr. Joseph meditates on the joys of the Christmas season, throughout the month of Kiahk. In this first part, he explains that the annunciation of St. John’s birth illustrates the joy of asceticism. John was an ascetic who brought joy to others, while not partaking in worldly pleasures, because he was filled with joy from the Holy Spirit. Before John was born, he was fille...

Fr. Joseph explains that if we consider Christ as truly good then we consider Christ as truly God, for only One is good, that is God. When we declare Christ as God, we entrust our entire lives to Him. Yet there’s one specific activity that proves this trust above all else—prayer. Nothing is more indicative of our trust in God than our reliance on Him in prayer. Fr. Joseph Abraham – December 4, 202...

Fr. Joseph explains that the passions or emotions of hate, anger, shame, fear, etc. were essentially created to serve us, but were corrupted during the fall. Fr. Joseph clarifies that when Christ called us to hate our family, we are called to hate our attachments, our own will, our worldly life. This is the only way to truly cling and bind ourselves to Christ. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Joseph Abra...

Fr. Daniel focuses on a major detail from the parable of the Sower. He focuses on the Sower rather than the soil. The Sower (God) did not plant seed on just the good soil, He distributed the seeds everywhere, so that all soil had a chance to receive His seed. He wanted to save all of us sinners, in our brokenness, without requiring us to be ready before we receive His grace. His Grace is what tran...

Fr. Joseph explains how critical it is to read the Scriptures daily. Just as we cannot survive without food or water and make time for it every single day, we must also make time to sit with God, read His word, and get our spiritual sustenance that is necessary for our spiritual survival. Recognizing our need for Scriptures depends on our humility and our awareness that we cannot do things on our...

Fr. Antony illustrates how we can find true rest in God with three metaphorical pillows: Pillow 1- God know Pillow 2- God cares Pillow 3- God can We can rest easy knowing that these pillows are all we need to receive comfort and guidance from God in everything we do. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Antony Attallah – November 6, 2022 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angele...

Fr. Joseph shows us how saints develop through the example of St. John the Short in the way he lived his life. He had holy parents, chose to surround himself with holy friendships, had extreme obedience, unwavering humility, and cared about the salvation of others. Tune to hear the other attributes that nurtured his sainthood. Fr. Joseph Abraham – October 30, 2022 Christ the Savior American Coptic...

Fr. Daniel explains that the annunciation began the process of our salvation and that salvation is the idea of becoming one with God. Salvation is not a destination, but a journey. He emphasizes that just as the angel told St. Mary not to fear because God was with her, we too should rejoice and not fear for God is with us every step of the way. Tune in to hear more about how God calls us to be and...

A Talk Before Confession by Fr. Alexander Elchaninov Fr. Joseph Abraham – October 5, 2022 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angeles www.thegoodsavior.org Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angeles www.thegoodsavior.org

Fr. Joseph explains that in order for us to truly see Christ, we must climb the sycamore tree. Climbing the sycamore tree symbolizes climbing the cross, going above the world and taking the harder road with humility, just like Zacchaeus, who subjected himself to the mockery and humiliation of society as he climbed the sycamore tree. We must also take the same path of humility in order to see Chris...

Fr. Joseph shows us that we must become like children in order to have God's mysteries revealed to us. We must be inquisitive and read to know more about God, we must be more open and allow ourselves to experience God, and we must be comfortable in sharing God’s work in our life. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Joseph Abraham – September 25, 2022 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese...

Fr. David explains how we can bear insults: Patience Spiritual Strength Love the Accuser We also need to avoid the urge to defend ourselves and to get angry with our accusers. Instead, put it in the hands of God and discuss with your father of confession. And always reflect inwardly so that you can use this to refine our spiritual life. Tune in the hear more. Fr. David Abdelsayed – September 18, 2...

Fr. Joseph explains how we ought to be watchful for God at all times and in all circumstances. Because God speaks in whispers and gentleness, so if we are watchful and alert, we can enjoy the sweetness of his presence in every part of our life. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Joseph Abraham – August 28, 2022 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angeles www.thegoodsavior.org C...

Fr. Joseph explains that many of us struggle with conflicting wills, our own will and God’s will, and encourages us to emulate St. Mary in the way she aligned her will with God’s will by fully trusting in Him. God has instructed us to test Him so we can strengthen our faith and trust in Him. Because true love cannot exist without trust. Tune in to hear more. Fr. Joseph Abraham – August 21, 2022 Ch...

Icons communicate a hidden reality to us. They are a source to teach us, and there is much to learn from the icon of St. Mary. Jack Ghali mediates on three lessons we can learn from her beautiful icon—to always carry Christ, to intercede for the world, and to see with spiritual eyes.  Jack Ghali – August 16, 2022 Christ the Savior American Coptic Orthodox Church Diocese of Los Angeles www.thegoods...

St. Mary suffered like no one else. Her love for Christ bound her to Him through every step of His suffering. She also identifies with humanity in all our afflictions because of her bond with us. This has a profound implication for our life. Fr. Joseph explains that for us to emulate St. Mary is for us to walk in the same path and to embrace the afflictions of life with faith. It’s no easy task bu...

Fr. Joseph explains that Christ is our chief cornerstone. He is absolutely essential in our life and without Him, we are broken. With Him, we are stable and protected, and the pillars that He provides to strengthen our spiritual life should not be taken for granted. Some of those pillars are our liturgical life, creating relationships with the Saints, and receiving the blessings of fasting and pra...

Although it seems courageous, St. Thomas’s suggestion to go with Christ and “die with Him,” comes from a cowardly place. The wisdom of the early Church fathers tells us that Thomas wanted to simply escape the suffering, even if the escape was death itself. As we are afflicted by countless struggles in life that seem hopeless, we are tempted to look for a way out and circumvent the path of sufferin...