The parable of the good Samaritan answers the question who is my neighbor. It also is the most perfect description of the incarnation in the Scriptures if the incarnation resonates in our hearts, there is no need to ask who our neighbor is.

When the incarnation resonates in our hearts, we will know who our neighbor is

We must encounter *everything* in our lives spiritually, or else we may miss a life-changing moment. We discuss two moments in the life of the people of the Gadarenes and the Monk-Martyr James (+Nov 1,1520). Their reaction to them was completely different. The people of the Gadarenes had no idea that they turned down an opportunity to have the light live within them. After a chance conversation, which he thought about spiritually, James became a vessel of light.

Life is full of critical moments: The Gadarene demoniac and the Ascetic-Martyr James

St. Paul teaches us how to think about ourselves, which completely determines how we live. The pastoral letter referred to in the homily is at orthodox.net/announcements/pastoral-letter_2020-11-08.html

St. Paul teaches us how to think about ourselves, which completely determines how we live. The pastoral letter referred to in the homily is at <a href="http://orthodox.net/announcements/pastoral-letter_2020-11-08.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">orthodox.net/announcements/pastoral-letter_2020-11-08.html</a>

The way we experience life completely depends on how we think

What made the saints who they are? It was the true Christian faith that they kept, and held on to, and had the power to transform their lives. Not so the “various and strange doctrines” that St. Paul warns us about — the corrupting “gospel” of the world, so prevalent in modern culture. Know your faith so you can be on guard against the lies of this world.

Fathers of the 7th Council. The Gospel vs Various and Strange Doctrines

Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain because He arranged everything toward this purpose. We do not know her name or the name of her son. We discuss this and bring in the book called The Bronze Bow which also depicts Jesus visiting an unknown person and completely changing their life. Although the book is fiction, it depicts something is happening every day for everyone. We are significant! If we understand this in the Christian way, not the way of the world, we will live with patience, without confusion, in a victorious and transcendent way.

The Widow of Nain and The Bronze Bow prove every person is significant

Everyone knows the “Golden rule,” but very few understand the exact why we should follow it. As soon as the Lord gives this instruction, He explains the reason why. If we understand this reason is that we are children of the Highest and therefore it is absolutely and exclusively our nature to be merciful as our Father is merciful, we are not far from the kingdom of God, in fact, so very close that we are entering it, on the very threshold.

Why should we follow the Golden rule? It is in accordance with our very nature.

What is the key to having a fulfilled, happy life? Most people in the world don’t know. Most Christians in the world don’t know. St. Paul knows, and he explains it this portion of his epistle to the Corinthians. When we act according to who we are, we are happy. Therefore, person must know himself, and he will know himself if God abides in him. God made man in a specific way for a specific purpose. St. Paul talks about every man living according as the purpose of in his heart, and that is indeed the reason why we sow bountifully and reap bountifully, and abound in every good work. An exegesis of this passage from Corinthians makes it very clear why we do what we do and how beautiful it is.

Sow bountifully and abound to every good work

On the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross the Gospel includes the Lord's invitation, ”Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” In order to make a voluntary decision to deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Jesus, we must know enough about life, and what is good and what is bad in order to make an informed decision. This knowledge must include understanding what is to save one’s life and what it is to lose it, and the answers to the questions: ”For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Near the end of the sermon, there was the patter of little feet and the distraction of the children caused a very important conversation about the importance of children in the church, and the admonition that all Christians in the church must consider all children to be their responsibility and their joy, and the absolute necessity of praying for one another.

We must know what is life and death in everything in order to take up the cross

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we read the words of Jesus Christ, which predicted His death on the cross: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” We talk about how Jesus on the cross draws all men to Himself. The answer is very simple, and is the open “secret” to victorious living and understanding the power of the cross and the way of the cross.

How did Christ draw all men to Himself by hanging on the Cross?

The celebration of the Nativity of the Theotokos is just before the Exaltation of the Cross, and these two feasts at the beginning of the liturgical year are two different kinds of beginnings. We also explain the Troparion and the Kontakion for the feast, why we say “Most Holy Theotokos save us," why we venerate the Theotokos so highly, and that we always think of the Theotokos in the context of her great ministry to humankind, being the birthgiver of God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Nativity of the Theotokos: Two Feasts, Two Beginnings

Homilies from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas - Fr. Seraphim Holland shares his homilies from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in McKinney, Texas.

Father’s sermons speak to one’s heart and penetrate deeply evert time. Thank you so much for every single word.

Father speaks to the heart

Sermons are but one part of Eastern Orthodoxy. But this is a great part. You&#39;ll greatly benefit from Fr. Seraphim Holland&#39;s teachings. I learn something new or get deeper insight into something I already knew every time. May you grow in your faith and be blessed.

Sermons are great!

Redeeming the Time

If we are true Christians, we will be like the apostles at the Supper who said "Lord, is it I?" when we read the concluding words of the parable: "For many are called, but few are chosen." This is our main point today, but we also talk about other parts of the parable: "The Kingdom of Heaven, " "But they made light of it," which relates to the last line in a frightening way, and the amazing words, "and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good," and the stark words of God to the bad or the good that "make light" of their baptism and supposed belief: "And he saith unto him, 'Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.'" Matthew 22:1-14

The Parable of the Wedding Feast: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The external teaching of the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee is a warning against pride and an example of humility. There much more. We discuss what humility is. It is not trying to not be proud! It is a relationship. The prayer of the publican illustrates this relationship. In the midst of our discussion, we define some important words which are not well understood - "hope," "justified," and "humility." Luke 18:10-14

Humility comes about through a relationship: The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.

Ephesians 4:7-13, read on the Sunday after Theophany, is, appropriately, describing what happens AFTER baptism. We explain the phrase "the measure of the gift of Christ," and why St Paul modified the psalm he quoted, from "received gifts from men" to "gave gifts to men." We discuss a common and deadly way to look at God, and the proper way, and spend a lot of time on the phrase "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

Gregory Palamas

On the second Sunday of Great Lent, we celebrate the memory of St. Gregory Palamas. More than any other Father, he is known for teaching about the uncreated Divine Light of God. His teaching demarcates a huge gulf between Orthodox and the other Christian confessions. First, a minute of history, then illustrate his teaching, which is centered on the Incarnation, using part of the reading for the Sunday from Hebrews, and then continuing with the words of St. Paul which follow. (Hebrews 2:3-18)

St. Gregory Palamas teaches the main difference between Orthodox and other Christian confessions

Why do we pray for the dead? Because of the Resurrection. Jesus explains this very clearly in His answer to the Jews who asked him about the woman who had 7 husbands (Luke 21:12-19). As we talked about this, the best two answers to the question "What is different between Orthodox and (fill in your Christian denomination here) came out. They involve the Resurrection and mercy. We also talked at length about what the purpose of liturgy is and the first three secret prayers the priest prays. He prays with more intensity, since he is in front of the altar, but we all must learn how to pray as these prayers. These prayers answer the common question I get: "What prayer can I pray for (fill in the blank).

Why do we pray for the dead? Because of the Resurrection. Jesus explains this very clearly in His answer to the Jews who asked him about the woman who had 7 husbands (Luke 21:12-19). As we talked about this, the best two answers to the question "What is different between Orthodox and (fill in your Christian denomination here) came out. They involve the Resurrection and mercy. We also talked at length about what the purpose of liturgy is and the first three secret prayers the priest prays. He prays with more intensity, since he is in front of the altar, but we all must learn how to pray as these prayers. These prayers answer the common question I get: "What prayer can I pray for (fill in the blank).

Why do we pray for the dead?

The way of the cross, foolishness, the power of God, the secret to happiness, and the connection of the cross to the Dormition Fast."The preaching of the Cross is to those who perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God." What is this foolishness, and what is this power? Also a connection between the beginning of the Dormition Fast and the Procession of the Cross. Also a "secret" to obtaining happiness. 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

The way of the cross, foolishness, the power of God, the secret to happiness, and the connection of the cross to the Dormition Fast. "The preaching of the Cross is to those who perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God." What is this foolishness, and what is this power? Also a connection between the beginning of the Dormition Fast and the Procession of the Cross. Also a "secret" to obtaining happiness. 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

The Way of the Cross

Purpose of Baptism: Searching for the image which had been buried by sin and the passions and restoring it and adorning it.Exegesis of a verse in the Canon for the Forefeast of Theophany. "Thou didst light Thy precious flesh like a lamp in the midst of the Jordan, O Christ, and didst search for Thine image which had been buried by sin and the passions; and finding it, Thou didst adorn it with Thy baptism, O Good One. Wherefore, we hymn Thee." (Ode 7) As we leisurely explain this hymn, we touch on the personality of the Gospel of Mark, a definition of the Gospel, the purpose of baptism, some of the scriptural allusions in this hymn, and - how do we apply it all?

Purpose of Baptism: Searching for the image which had been buried by sin and the passions and restoring it and adorning it. Exegesis of a verse in the Canon for the Forefeast of Theophany. "Thou didst light Thy precious flesh like a lamp in the midst of the Jordan, O Christ, and didst search for Thine image which had been buried by sin and the passions; and finding it, Thou didst adorn it with Thy baptism, O Good One. Wherefore, we hymn Thee." (Ode 7) As we leisurely explain this hymn, we touch on the personality of the Gospel of Mark, a definition of the Gospel, the purpose of baptism, some of the scriptural allusions in this hymn, and - how do we apply it all?

Purpose of Baptism

We must live according to these words in order to understand or follow any command that leads to life.Homily on the Galatians 2:16-20, read on the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, particularly: “I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.” We will not understand the purpose or meaning of all the commands God gives us, nor be able to follow them if we do not understand and embrace the meaning of being crucified with Christ. This is not merely theological trivia; it is the only way to live that gives life.

We must live according to these words in order to understand or follow any command that leads to life. Homily on the Galatians 2:16-20, read on the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross, particularly: “I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God.” We will not understand the purpose or meaning of all the commands God gives us, nor be able to follow them if we do not understand and embrace the meaning of being crucified with Christ. This is not merely theological trivia; it is the only way to live that gives life.

We must live according to these words…

Stories provide powerful incentives for changing our behavior. We look at the Ascension story, which is also a dogmatic fact and how it should influence our behavior – it should change EVERYTHING! - and also the 3 dogmatic pillars of the event of the Ascension.

Ascension changes Everything

Fr. Seraphim Holland shares some reflections on one of the hymns for Meatfare Saturday, and the selection from 1 Thessalonians which talks about us being with the Lord after the second coming, and prayer for the dead.The hymn which he refers to is this: "Why does man deceive himself and boast? / Why does he trouble himself in vain? / For he is earth, and soon to the earth he will return. / Why does the dust not reflect that it is formed from clay, / and cast out as rottenness and corruption? / Yet though we men are clay, why do we cling so closely to the earth? / For if we are Christ’s kindred, / should we not run to Him, / leaving all this mortal and fleeting life, / and seeking the life incorruptible, / which is Christ Himself, // the illumination of our souls?"  (From the Praises, Tone 8, Meatfare Saturday)

Fr. Seraphim Holland shares some reflections on one of the hymns for Meatfare Saturday, and the selection from 1 Thessalonians which talks about us being with the Lord after the second coming, and prayer for the dead. The hymn which he refers to is this: "Why does man deceive himself and boast? / Why does he trouble himself in vain? / For he is earth, and soon to the earth he will return. / Why does the dust not reflect that it is formed from clay, / and cast out as rottenness and corruption? / Yet though we men are clay, why do we cling so closely to the earth? / For if we are Christ’s kindred, / should we not run to Him, / leaving all this mortal and fleeting life, / and seeking the life incorruptible, / which is Christ Himself, // the illumination of our souls?" (From the Praises, Tone 8, Meatfare Saturday)

Praying for the dead shows that we look to the heavenly world and not earthly things

Only Jesus Christ has the authority to tell us "Do not be anxious," because only He can back up His words by helping us permanently. The are many temporary cures for anxiety, but only one way of life leads to a life free of anxiety. The Gospel talks about this way, which is a learned skill.

Only one way of life permanently relieves anxiety

Remembrance of wrongs warps our reality. We can fight it with the Jesus prayer.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Step 08.04 - Remembrance of wrongs warps our reality

How do we give with simplicity, and love without hypocrisy? The Apostle Paul and the parable about the two debtors explains.The parable (two men owed a debt to their Lord, one 500, and another 50, and he was gracious to both) told by Jesus to explain the simple love and devotion of the sinful woman who anointed His feet helps explain how we can give with simplicity, show mercy with cheerfulness, and love without hypocrisy, all of which are commands of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:6-14. There is another "technique" given by the Apostle, to help us to fulfill his commands: put spiritual things first, especially prayer.

How do we give with simplicity, and love without hypocrisy? The Apostle Paul and the parable about the two debtors explains. The parable (two men owed a debt to their Lord, one 500, and another 50, and he was gracious to both) told by Jesus to explain the simple love and devotion of the sinful woman who anointed His feet helps explain how we can give with simplicity, show mercy with cheerfulness, and love without hypocrisy, all of which are commands of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:6-14. There is another "technique" given by the Apostle, to help us to fulfill his commands: put spiritual things first, especially prayer.

How do we give with simplicity, and love without hypocrisy?

Fr. Seraphim Holland preaches from Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus told the paralytic that he was healed "according to his faith..." What is faith? What is it based on? How do we increase it? The answers are in St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans 15:1-7

What is faith, what is it based on, and how do we increase it?

The Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus has much deep symbolism and theological meaning. All that is important to know, but the most pressing aspect of the Gospel is that we meet Christ, and learn to become like Him. We must look for moral direction when we read the Gospels, and the focus of this parable is the dialogue of Abraham with the rich man: "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." We speak about attitudes and priorities. Many times we do not understand about the eternal choices we a making in our temporary time on Earth. We must learn to think eternally, and spiritually, and then we will understand about temporary good things in this life, and permanent good things in the next. we also talk about the epistle  read for St Artemius today, which ties in very well: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life" (2 Timothy 2:3-4a).

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

I read the Ladder of Divine Ascent every Great Lent, and mark it up with pencil because of the wonderful things I read, that help my soul. If I am not too lazy and God helps me, I will try to publish a short meditation on one of the steps as often as I can. Step 04.31 - About Macedonius the Archdeacon. Dogma about the nature of angels, demons, and men. The benefit of humiliation. Practical advice about repentance after we fall, because we are men, not demons.

I read the Ladder of Divine Ascent every Great Lent, and mark it up with pencil because of the wonderful things I read, that help my soul. If I am not too lazy and God helps me, I will try to publish a short meditation on one of the steps as often as I can. Step 04.31 - About Macedonius the Archdeacon. Dogma about the nature of angels, demons, and men. The benefit of humiliation. Practical advice about repentance after we fall, because we are men, not demons.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent: Step 04.31 - About Macedonius the Archdeacon

When Jesus healed the 10 lepers of their physical leprosy, only one, a Samaritan, returned to thank and worship Him. There is an important lesson here. Complete healing is always a process, and depends on us.  What must we do to be completely healed?

Healing is a process, and depends on our reactions

A sermon by Priest Nicholas Park, fusing the "Witness" ("Martyr" means witness) of Zacchaeus the publican and the New Martyrs of Russia.  Luke 19:1-10

Sunday of Zacchaeus and the New Martyrs of Russia: Repentance and Witness

Fr. Seraphim Holland shares that the Resurrectional Gospel from Luke about the encounter of Jesus Christ with two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus is read on Bright Tuesday. He discusses why this is read, even though the Gospel of John is read for almost every other day in the Pascha period, and that this encounter must be like our life. Our hearts must also burn. What is this "burning"?

The Road to Emmaus: our hearts must burn too

Exegesis of one of the best and poetic descriptions of the process of salvation, and most misinterpreted part of all of Scripture. Let us look at the meaning of being "quickened ... together with Christ," "by grace ye are saved," and the verse misunderstood by millions: "for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." If we understand the Incarnation and its purpose, all of this passage will resonate in our hearts, and guide us and give us great joy. Ephesians 2:4-10

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; AND we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus”

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