On the Sunday after Theophany, we connect the two Gospels read, that of the actions of Jesus after John was put in prison (this occurred not long after he baptized our Lord) and His discourse about being the shepherd of the sheep. In the first we are told that the people which “sat in darkness saw great light”, and the beginning preaching of Jesus which simply said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These historical events which Matthew wrote of must be current events in our lives, and the second gospel teaches us about this repentance. It is not just to be sorry for things that we do because we believe them to be “sin”; it is a radical change of heart which brings perfect freedom, as Jesus promises that He can bring when He says (describing salvation): “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture“, and: ”I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.“ The two Gospels tell us that we who wish to be saved must understand that there is still darkness in us even though the great light lives in our hearts, and that repenting from the darkness is becoming like that One that brought the light, and this brings us perfect freedom. Length:7:15 2021-01-23 Matthew 4:12-17 John 10:7-16 Those with sharp eyes who saw this homily when it was preached will realize that the still picture chosen for the video is not from the place where the homily was preached. I was in Georgetown at Holy Mother of God Parish, serving with our Archbishop Peter, and he asked me to give a short homily after the priest’s communion. I don’t have any pictures from that time. Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/sermons/theophany-04_2022+repent-for-the-kingdom-of-heaven-is-at-hand.mp3 YouTube:https://youtu.be/dHGpkfzgMfw ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHGpkfzgMfw

Trinity Sunday. What is salvation? It is the acquiring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was promised to us many times in the Old and New Testaments. Reading from Ezekiel. God takes away our stoney hearts, and gives us hearts of flesh. What it means to have a stoney heart. Reading from the Doxastikon on the Trisagion prayers. The vital importance of doing what we can when we can to take advantage of the grace offered by the Church. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwLqL81jmt0