Fr. David reflects on the Gospel of the Rich Young Ruler and the difficult question Jesus asks each of us: What are we willing to give up to follow Christ? The young man in the Gospel had kept the commandments, yet when Christ asked him to give up his possessions and follow Him, he walked away sorrowful. Why? Fr. David argues that the deeper problem was not simply wealth. The young man had confused what should be loved with what should merely be used. His possessions had become objects of love, while God and his neighbor were pushed aside. But the temptation to choose possessions over God takes a modern form. We increasingly choose ease, convenience, independence, and comfort over the difficult work of genuine love and relationship. Real love is not easy. Following Christ is not easy. But the Christian life promises something far greater than ease: depth, fulfillment, communion with God, and eternal life. The question is ultimately one we all have to answer: What are you willing to sacrifice for what you truly love? #OrthodoxChristianity #OrthodoxSermon #RichYoungRuler #JesusChrist #EternalLife #Christianity #OrthodoxChurch #Gospel #FollowingChrist #ChristianLife #Faith #GreatLent #FrDavid The day's readings https://www.antiochian.org/epistleliturgicday/4654 12th Sunday of Matthew

On the 11th Sunday of Matthew, deacon John Pelikan reflects on the readings of the day https://www.antiochian.org/epistleliturgicday/4647

On the 10th Sunday of Matthew Why does St. Paul call the apostles "fools for Christ's sake" and "the scum of the earth"? Following the Feast of the Transfiguration, Fr. David reflects on how our vision of God and the world is often blinded by a spiritual veil. Without Christ, we naturally construct the "Beatitudes of the Veiled Heart"—praising the strong, the rich, and the self-sufficient. By looking at St. Paul’s striking words to the Corinthians, this homily explores how Christ shreds the veil of worldly pride. We are invited to reject the world's obsession with power and retaliatory strength, embracing instead the true victory, humility, and transfigured vision of the Holy Cross. To support our parish and its ongoing ministries as we share the light of Christ with our community, you can give securely online here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=E3E4Q2M6NHJT4 #OrthodoxChristian #FoolsForChrist #Transfiguration #FrDavid #OrthodoxSermon #ChristianFaith #Beatitudes #StPaul #1Corinthians

Reflecting on his arrival in North Carolina six years ago during the summer of 2020, Fr. David explores the spiritual psychology of human powerlessness. Looking back at the panic, empty shelves, and social turmoil of recent years, he contrasts our human tendency toward fear, greed, anger, and control with St. Peter stepping out of the boat onto the raging sea. When chaos strikes, panic is not a last-ditch effort to take control—it is what overtakes us when we realize we are completely powerless. In this homily on Jesus walking on the water, we are challenged to use times of relative calm and sobriety to fortify our souls, resist becoming accusations against our neighbors, and acquire the true Spirit of Peace that only Christ can give. To support our parish and its ongoing ministries as we share the light of Christ with our community, you can give securely online here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=E3E4Q2M6NHJT4 #OrthodoxChristian #WalkingOnWater #SpiritOfPeace #FrDavid #OrthodoxSermon #ChristianFaith #Powerlessness #FaithOverFear