St. Paul American Coptic Orthodox Church Podcast - Sermon

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the Feast of the Lord's Presentation. The Feast of the Lord's Presentation to the Temple weaves together themes of the Cross and the Eucharist. We also learn how we can present ourselves before the Lord. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Meshir. A reflection on how Christ labors for his creation and yet presents Himself concealed and how to labor for eternal life. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 4th Sunday of Tobe. A reflection on how God sees us, how God deals with us, and how that helps us in our relationship with God. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Tobi. The words of St. John the Baptist, "He must increase, and I must decrease," act as a foundational program for the whole Christian life. Some practical teachings on how we can accomplish this and a small reflection on the life and humility of a contemporary saint, the late Bishop Makarios of Qena. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Tobi. A reflection on the baptism of Christ, the one without sin. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Tobi. The first Sunday after Nativity relates the Holy Family's flight to Egypt and the slaughter of the innocents. We find both the hope and light of the Incarnation, but also its opposition. This reveals both the fragility of the human condition and its resilience by the grace and power of God in our lives. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 4th Sunday of Kiahk. A reflection on the significance of St. John the Baptist. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Kiahk. In the Magnifcat of St. Mary, she proclaims that God's mercy is "on those who fear Him from generation to generation” (Lk. 1:50). A reflection on the virtue of the Fear of the Lord - its meaning, its relationship to humility, trust and love, and how we can acquire it. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Khiakh. A reflection on the Annunciation, and having joy in the midst of uncertainty. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Kiahk. A reflection on the Mystery of the Incarnation as the meeting between the cry of God for His creation's redemption and salvation and the cry of humanity which is born from its bondage to sin and death. As God hears our cry, He also teaches us to hear the cry of our fellow human. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 4th Sunday of Hathor. A reflection on the parable of the rich, young man who asked Jesus how to enter Heaven. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Hathor. In Luke 14, the Lord calls us to count the cost of true discipleship: taking up our Cross and forsaking all. A reflection on the spiritual deformities that prevent us from true discipleship including being duplicitous, half-hearted, presumptuous, and lacking unity of life. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Hathor. A reflection on the Parable of the Sower and how to be good soil. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Hatour. In the reading for the Parable of the Sower, our Lord rejoices in revealing to His disciples the "mysteries of the Kingdom." The saints are the best witnesses to the reality and proximity of the Kingdom. We reflect on the life of a great contemporary saint, Anba Mina of Girga, commemorated this month. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - 5th Sunday of Babah. A reflection on the tests that God gave the disciples during the feeding of the multitudes, how the gospel teaches us to deal with challenges, and the spiritual and physical practices that the Bible teaches us for dealing with them. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 4th Sunday of Babah. The Lord Jesus commands the Widow of Nain not to weep, for He is the hope of those without hope. Using Jeremiah 17:5-10, a reflection on the two ways of life: those who trust in human means and those who trust in the Lord. God will eventually orchestrate events in our lives to expose our illusory reliance on earthly resources. Click the ic...

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Paopi. A reflection on how the architecture of the church represents our unity with God. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Paopi. The miracle of the great catch of fish becomes a turning point in the life of St. Peter the Apostle. We also learn from it that God desires to progressively enter deeper into our lives, calling us to a greater obedience and abandonment, while we also confront our sinfulness in His presence. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Paopi. A reflection on the miracle of the healing of the paralytic. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 4th Sunday of Thout. A reflection on the parable of the unforgiving servant. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the Feast of the Cross. A contemporary saint described the two arms of the Cross as representing the interplay between human intentions and divine intervention. A look at five virtues needed in order to endure the Cross: Detachment, Surrender, Gratitude, Humility, and Fortitude. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 2nd Sunday of Thout. A contemplation on the Good Samaritan. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Thout. The ecclesiastical new year readings focus on the transition from the old (mosaic law) to the new (life of grace). Understanding the way grace works in our lives begins with accepting to be an unprofitable servant. God's grace strengthens and transforms all our human works, raising them to a supernatural level. Click the icon below to list...

Fr. Andrew Iskander - Homily for the 1st Sunday of Nesi. A reflection on the end of times and preparedness. Click the icon below to listen.

Fr. Kyrillos Ibrahim - Homily for the 4th Sunday of Mesori. At the end of the ecclesiastical year, St. Paul reminds us of the need to expand our heart's capacity in loving God and one another in order to present ourselves blameless and holy at the coming of the Lord. Reminding ourselves of essential themes in salvation history we reflect on how to enlarge our hearts. Click the icon below to listen...