Hill Country Homilies

In our third episode of this sermon series, we begin to look at the involvement of Orthodox Christians in our elections and political campaigns. This homily sets the stage for the discussion of individual actions which will be the focus of next week's homily. In this talk, we look at how the Church has interacted with the evolution of classical liberalism and the political theory that led to repub...

On the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Cross, Bp. Irineos recounts the story of the finding of the Cross, and comments upon the epistle reading - that the preaching of the Cross is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks - and how that passage might apply today to the Christian sects disconnected from the historic Church.

The Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg - As we enter the second week of our series on Living a Christian Life in the Age of Internet, Isolation, and Elections, world events shape our outline. The death of Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg aroused very different reactions from people across the nation. But in the homily today, Bp. Irineos takes issue with "Christians" who looked at her record of...

Bp. Irineos begins a multi-week series of homilies focusing on the challenges of living a Christian life in the present age of expansive internet platforms, isolation stemming from COVID-19 and other cultural shifts, and turmoil accompanying the coming election. This week we will draw on the account of Paul's visit to Athens and his encounter with the Greek philosophers on the Areopagus (Acts 17:1...

The parable of the rich young ruler ought to be a cautionary tale to us in North America who, relative to so much of the world, live in wealth and excess. In today's homily, Bp. Irineos considers the place of riches, how they hinder our salvation, and if we can truly Sell All!

On the day after Fr. Symeon's repose, Bp. Irineos shared a few memories of father after the liturgy at Holy Annunciation parish.

As Paul pleads the humilty and lowliness of the Apostles in today's epistle reading, Bp. Irineos reflects on how far our modern culture has fallen from the sense of humility and love for enemies that the follower of Christ exemplified. Drawing on the teachings of St. Maximus the Confessor, he urges the faithful to examine themselves whenever they are angry or feel offended.

Reflecting on the Gospel account of Jesus walking on the water to his disciples, Bp. Irineos compares the disciples plight on the violent sea to our life in the current times. We were never promised smooth sailing. But when we put our faith in God, He is there to save us in the storm. The current turmoil we live in is no match for our God. Do not let the fear of the storm cast your gaze away from...

On the Feast Day of the Prophet Elijah, Bp. Irineos shares a little from his life, and considers the statement of Christ in the Gospel that no prophet is accepted in his own country. Considering the life of the Prophet Elijah, Bp. Irineos suggests why this statement is true.

Preaching today on the Epistle reading (Romans 15:1-7), Bp. Irineos draws on the commentary of St. John Chrysostom in examining the exhortation given to us by the Apostle. This reading calls us to a self-sacrificing love of neighbor, reinforces our communal responsibility to one another, and urges us to receive into the Church all who come to confess the true faith. And we are reminded that our sa...

On the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, Bp. Irineos notes that both the pre-eminent apostles shared a common trait with us: they were sinners. Put to repentance by our Lord, they led the Church through the early days of persecution and died as willing martyrs for the faith. Through their examples, me God have mercy on us!

On the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Bp. Irineos reflects on the Gospel reading of the healing of the centurion's servant and how it foreshadows the opening of the Church to the Gentiles and the fall of the disobedient Jews who were not prepared to recognize their Messiah.

On the Sunday of All Saints of the Local Church, Bp. Irineos discusses the Gospel reading for the Sunday, the calling of the Apostles. Looking at the patristic commentary on the reading, he discusses how the same concerns impact our life in the modern world.

On the Sunday of All Saints, Bp. Irineos comments on the Oneness of all the saints and why we call them to remembrance together. In this same way that they are one together, we venerate them also knowing that they are one with us in our worship of the Holy Trinity!

On the Sunday after Ascension, Bp. Irineos ponders why so many who call themselves Christians abandon Christ's call to holiness and immerse themselves in the things of the world, obsessing over temporal power and glory, sowing division and mocking others created in the image of God.

A timely conversation with a young protestant apologist ended with this odd claim by him: "The scripture alone reveals the truth. Let it speak alone." The oddity of this claim coming from someone espousing sola scriptura is two fold. First, scripture never makes any such claim. Second, the New Testament points to three different sources of the revelation of truth to mankind. One of them ends today...

The man born blind endured a life of struggle so that one day, he might encounter Christ and have the works of God made manifest in him. Drawing on this man's struggle and his demeanor, Bp. Irineos asks us to examine our own reactions to the recent struggles and burdens we have been asked to undertake. Are we prepared bodily and spiritually for the works of God to be manifested in us, or are we we...

When Christ encounters St. Photini, the Samaritan woman at the well, she poses a question to Him about the worship of the Samaritans and the Jews. His answer shocks her, and should be a great caution to us. In declaring that the time is now come when the true worshipers of the Father will worship God in Spirit and in Truth, he declares an end to the false religions of both the Samaritans and the J...

On the Sunday of the Paralytic, Bp. Irineos references one of the sticheron from the Vespers, where the paralytic compares his bed to a grave and suggests he has no need to live anymore. Examining both the patristic commentary on the despondency of the paralytic and the Church's understanding of baptism not only as a re-birth, but as a death to sin, Bp. Irineos reflects on what this vespers hymn s...

As we commemorate the Righteous Joseph of Arimathea and the myrrh bearing women, Bp. Irineos discusses the great risks and bold love the Joseph showed for the Lord and ponders what we are willing to risk for Christ in our modern times.

On Thomas Sunday, Bp. Irineos turns to the Epistle appointed for this day and comments upon the miraculous works and consequent sufferings of the Apostles in their time after Pentecost. Drawing upon their experiences of both sadness and joy, Bp. Irineos reminds the faithful that our sufferings here a subject to time, and the joy of the eternal kingdom is what truly awaits us!

The triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem was quickly turned to sorrow by his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Those who sorrowed at the loss of their earthly king were unaware of the great heavenly victory he was winning for our salvation. As we journey toward Pascha, let us not be weighed down by the mundane circumstances of the world, but let us keep our eyes transfixed on the heavenly things...

On Lazarus Saturday we remember Christ's raising of Lazarus, four days dead in the tomb. By exercising his dominion over dead, in Lazarus Christ gives us the assurance of our own resurrection to come. While we may weep over the separation of our loved ones who have fallen asleep, we now know this is but a temporary state as we await our resurrection to eternal life.

On the 5th Sunday of Great Lent, we remember St. Mary of Egypt. After recounting the life of St. Mary, Bp. Irineos turns to the current situation of the global pandemic and the failure of many jurisdictions to acknowledge the tragedy of the closing of churches and the separation of the faithful from the mysteries. Without commenting on whether the steps take are wise or not, Bp. Irineos urges us t...

On the Sunday of St. John Climacus, Bp. Irineos looks at the opening paragraph of The Ladder of Divine Ascent and contemplates where we might fall in the classes of rational creatures discussed by St. John, and how the lessons of the icon of the ladder help even those of us living in the world.