Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons

Today in Orthodoxy is the Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in 787 AD. The last of the seven Ecumenical Councils dealt with icons. Father Micah delivers a Youth Sermon and makes several points for us about icons. Icons teach, show us God loves us, remind us Christ, His Mother and the Saints are always with us, they give us opportunity to show Christ how much we love Him and they r...

It has been said that to be victorious over demons one needs to acquire humility. Father Ernesto speaks to us today through the Epistle lesson taken from II Corinthians 11:31 - 12:9. Saint Paul is describing a man who saw visions of heaven and yet only wants to boast in his weaknesses. The proper attitude toward our weaknesses will help us gain humility and live an Orthodox Christian life.

In today's world of instant gratification we forget that the effort and attitude we put into something is the measure of the result obtained. Father Micah expounds from the Epistle taken from II Cor. 9:6-11, that he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Father Micah beautifully relates this effort to The Divine Liturgy.

The goal of an Orthodox Christian is to please God. Saint Anthony the Great a third century saint in the Church was one who lived a life pleasing to God. In today's sermon Father Paul give us three ways we can live in accordance with God's will. First, wherever we go keep God before us, second we must live by the example of Holy Scripture, and thirdly where ever we live stay in that place.

Today is the Sunday after the Elevation of the Holy Cross. Father Ernesto shares with us an Old Testament reading taken from Vespers service for the Elevation of the Holy Cross. The reading is taken from Proverbs and says, Blessed is the man who finds wisdom for she is a tree of life to all who cleave to her. Wisdom of the world is perishing but the wisdom of God grants to us eternal life. Orthodo...

Today Father Micah address the youth at the Cathedral. The Cross of Jesus Christ is a symbol of love for all creation. Father describes several different Crosses. He reminds us we can take the Cross everywhere making the sign of the cross on ourselves properly.

Our Lord told a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a king who gave marriage feast for his son. Today is the 14th Sunday of Matthew and the Gospel reading is taken from Matt. 22:2-14. Father Paul shares two spiritual truths that have eternal consequences. The kingdom of God is a realm where there is no pain sorrow or suffering. And the wedding feast or banquet is the Divine Liturgy where we...

The purpose of the Christian life is communion with God. In today's sermon Father Paul uses the Epistle reading taken from I Corinthians 16:13-24 to share with us five virtues toward communion with God.

Today is the 12th Sunday of Matthew. In the Gospel Jesus encounters a rich young ruler who wants to know how to inherit eternal life. He finds out that even though he has kept the commandments he lacks one thing. He was unwilling to leave his love of money and follow Christ. Orthodox Christians should realize that by giving all we do not lose but gain.

It has been said that the Church has one foot in Heaven and one on earth. Father Ernesto gives practical advice taken from today's readings about our foot on earth. Orthodox Christian's are to serve God with their time, talent, and treasure. He encourages us to commit, serve and obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today we commemorate the Major Feast of The Transfiguration. Clearly the Apostle's witnessed the Energies of God flowing from Jesus Christ and God reveals He is the God of both the living and the dead with the presence of Moses and Elijah. Father Ernesto shares with us that the presence of Moses and Elijah means that even with a less than perfect past we are forgiven.

In today's sermon Father Paul answers an important question; How one can experience victory over failure, tragedy and despondency? The Gospel lesson is taken from Matthew 17:14-23, it narrates for us the sadness a father has over failed attempts to heal his son. The father finds the answer to victory just as we too can if we come to the One True God Jesus Christ, because He can do for us that whic...

The miracle of Jesus walking on water is beloved by all Christians. In today's Gospel Matt. 14: 22-34 Jesus teaches us to find peace, we must learn to be alone with God in prayer and continually focus on Him. Father Micah shares that no matter the circumstance our Lord is with us granted peace. Orthodox Christians must take time to be with Christ so that we may know Him, therefore our cry "Lord sa...

Most Orthodox Christians are familiar with the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Today is the 8th Sunday of Matthew and the Gospel lesson is taken from Matthew 14:14-22. Father Paul shares three lessons with us. Jesus is concerned with those who are spiritually hungry. He put the needs of people before His own and had compassion on them. Jesus broke and Blessed the bread giving it to hi...

In American Society Christianity has become like a buffet, where you pick and chose what you want based on personal preference. Not so with Orthodoxy. Today we commemorate the Fathers of the 4th Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon. Ecumenical councils seem foreign to most, but it is through them them that our Holy Father's declared the Truth about Christianity. That Jesus is the Theanthropos the God-M...

Today is the 6th Sunday of Matthew and the Epistle Reading is taken from Romans 12: 6-14. In the Epistle Paul speaks about different gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. Father Ernesto draws from personal experience in the military and time in Vietnam to share with us what " Band of Brothers" means. He encourages us to understand that no matter the role we have in the Church and therefore the Bod...

In today's Epistle Paul tell us that there is a "more excellent way" in doing the will of God. Father Paul shares with us that to do the will of God we must love. Love necessitates a certain attitude of humility, doing to others that which we want done to us. Jesus clearly identifies love as an action of serving others before ourselves.

Today we commemorate the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. He is known as the Forerunner and Jesus said that no one born of a woman is greater than John. Father Ernesto shares with us today that no one is born a Saint. We as Orthodox Christians should commit our lives to Christ and begin a journey to becoming a Saint.

Today is the 3rd Sunday of Matthew and Jesus' teaching comes from the Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord tells us that if we seek His Kingdom and His righteousness we will not have to worry about the basic necessities of life. Fr. Micah shares with us to seek His Kingdom we must reduce the ego, gain humility and receive Him in the Eucharist.

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Matthew. The Gospel reading is taken from Matthew 4:18-23 and it narrates for us Jesus calling four of His disciples. The called disciples immediately left everything to follow Jesus. If we as Orthodox Christians want eternal life, help to carry life's burdens and if we want to walk in The Light we must do as the called disciples did and put Christ first.

Today Liturgically is the Sunday of All Saints. Father Micah shares with us an inspirational message, where he makes an analogies between diamonds and Saints. He concludes the message by reminding us that Saints like diamonds are forever.

Today is the Major Feast Day of Pentecost. We commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the upper room and in our lives. Father Micah shares with us that Saint Seraphim of Sarov said that the purpose of the Christian life is to acquire the Holy Spirit. Father Micah gives practical advise on how we are to acquire the Holy Spirit and His fruit.

Why do many of us struggle at times believing what the Bible says about Jesus? It is because we erroneously believe we can comprehend God intellectually. Today we commemorate the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council who through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit tell us who Jesus is, "True God of True God". By living an Orthodox Christian way of life and exercising our souls, we too can answer...

Today is the Sunday of the Blind Man. The blind man represents all of humanity in our spiritual blindness. Father Ernesto unpacks parallels between the Epistle and Gospel readings for today. There was no place for legalistic attitudes in Jesus' time here on earth nor should there be any today.

In today's world there is much suffering. How easy it is to forget that we as Orthodox Christian's live with faith and a hope of everlasting life with our Lord. The Prophet Job endured much suffering in his life. Father Micah shares with us today two secrets that helped Job endure his trials.