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

Confessing Our Poverty: What to Do When You Don't Have Enough Why did Jesus perform the miracle of feeding the 5,000 immediately after hearing about the death of St. John the Baptist? In this homily on the Gospel reading before the start of the Dormition Fast, Fr. David contrasts the miraculous feeding in the wilderness with two dark, cautionary feasts in Scripture: the Israelites' anxious hoarding of manna in the desert, and the gruesome, passionate feast of King Herod. When we feel lacking—whether in time, energy, patience, money, or wisdom—we are frequently tempted to give in to either despairing hoarding or aggressive grasping. By looking at the example of the Apostles, we learn that the true Christian path begins when we simply confess our poverty to God, place our "five loaves and two fish" in His hands, and allow His blessing to transform our lack into divine abundance. 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 #FeedingOfThe5000 #DormitionFast #GospelReflection #FrDavid #OrthodoxSermon #ChristianFaith #SpiritualPoverty