![Podcast Cover](https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_square_limited_480/images.spreaker.com/original/f761c209ee7bcc4358b7895774280586.jpg)
Contacts
Info
Weekly sermons from Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham, Alabama.
![Podcast Cover](https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_square_limited_480/images.spreaker.com/original/f761c209ee7bcc4358b7895774280586.jpg)
Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons
Holy Trinity + Holy Cross - Sermons
The Ship of the Church - Dn. Tikhon - July 7, 2024
8 JUL 2024 · In today’s Gospel reading, Christ calls four fishermen — Peter, John, Andrew, and James — to be his disciples, to be fishers of men. Deacon Tikhon, in today’s sermon, explains how this analogy helps us understand the kingdom of heaven.
The church is like the ship. As the fishermen depend on the ship for safety, so we depend on the church as the vessel of salvation. Deacon Tikhon encourages us to care for the vessel that protects us from the perils of life through stewardship and almsgiving.
If the ship is the church, the net is the Gospel. This fishing tool, unlike a hook and line, does not discriminate the types of fish it catches. Similarly, the good news of Christ is for all the world. We must tend to our net, the Gospel, by studying the Scriptures and attending church to experience sacramental life.
Finally, the fishermen represent us. Christ did not choose legal scholars or religious leaders to be his disciples, but rather chose these hardworking and obedient fishermen. To be followers of Christ as the fishermen were, we too must work hard and be obedient through prayer, fasting, and following Christ’s commandments.
Shepard My Sheep - Fr. Gregory - June 30, 2024
1 JUL 2024 · In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus turns his twelve disciples into apostles. On this Feast of the Twelve Apostles, Fr. Gregory addresses three questions about the apostles.
First, he asks, “Why did Jesus turn his disciples into apostles?” Today's Gospel reading answers this question, saying, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them.” Jesus says that the people are like sheep without a shepherd, weary and scattered. This is the reason why he transformed his disciples into apostles — to become Shepherds for the people as Jesus did in the incarnation.
Second, Fr. Gregory asks the question, “What is an apostle?” The word “apostle” comes from a Greek word meaning “to send forth” or “dispatch.” The word carries with a sense of authority, in this case showing that the apostles were sent with full power to act in Jesus’ name. They are entrusted with Jesus’ work — teaching, preaching, healing, and even forgiving sins.
Finally, Fr. Gregory addresses what this means to us today. He explains that, before the apostles died, they chose successors and transmitted their apostolic authority through the laying on of hands. This transmission of authority has continued to the present day. In the church, we have bishops and priests who have been ordained through this laying on of hands which traces back to Jesus. Through apostolic succession, we are not sheep without a shepherd. We are gathered and cared for in the community of the church, the body of Christ.
The Gifts of Community - Bp. Sebastian - June 23, 2024
23 JUN 2024 · On this Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost, when God sent the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. Bishop Sebastian points out that the disciples were together when they received the Holy Spirit, and emphasizes the importance of this togetherness in the life of the church.
In the Holy Trinity, we have the example of the perfect community. In the Holy Orders, we see the checks and balances that protect us from the dangers of our own individual opinions. Through the church, we have gifts such as confession, Holy Communion, marriage, Holy Unction, and the relationships with our brothers and sisters.
Through this togetherness in the body of Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit as the disciples did on Pentecost. Bishop Sebastian encourages us to be faithful to the church, sharing in its gifts and its truth together.
On Humility and Love - Fr. Micah - June 16, 2024
19 JUN 2024 · This Sunday follows the great feast of the ascension of Christ, when he was taken up into the heavens. Fr. Micah explains that many Jews of the first century could not accept Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father at his ascension. It meant that he was the living God, having unity and equality with the Father while humbling himself and becoming flesh.
Fr. Micah explains that many heresies — from Arianism to Nestorianism to iconoclasm — come from this inability to accept the extreme humility of Christ. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s great humility, and this is the humility we are to emulate as Christians. Fr. Micah explains that we can acquire this great humility through love — love that puts others first, including our enemies.
He concludes by pointing out words of Christ in today’s Epistle reading, in which he says it is better to give than to receive. Fr. Micah urges us to live according to this saying, giving until we have emptied ourselves as Christ emptied himself. Through this humility, through this love, we can encounter the living God who is enthroned in the heavens.
Manifesting God's Glory - Fr. Gregory - June 9, 2024
9 JUN 2024 · In this week’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of Christ healing a man born blind. His disciples ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Fr. Gregory gives the background to this question, explaining that both viewpoints are misinterpretations of Old Testament passages. Christ replies to his disciples that they could neither blame the man nor his parents for his condition. Rather, he says that the man’s blindless was so that “the works of God might be manifest in him,” after which he heals him.
Fr. Gregory show us how we can apply these words of Christ to our own lives. Seeking blame or an explanation for the sufferings we face is fruitless, because these crosses we bear are beyond our understanding. However, by walking with Christ, believing him, and worshipping him, we can make the works of God manifest in ourselves. Fr. Gregory concludes with an encouragement from Romans 8:18 which says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Life and Meaning - Fr. Micah - June 2, 2024
3 JUN 2024 · On this Sunday, the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, Fr. Micah discusses the Gospel reading in which Christ tells us that we are to worship the Father in spirit and in truth.
He first explains that we humans are worshipping creatures, then addresses what it means to worship in spirit and truth. He points out that Christ himself is the truth, an the resurrection is truth. Through Christ and only because of our communion with Christ, we are able to say, “Our Father.” Next, Fr. Micah expounds on worshipping the Father in spirit, showing us how the Holy Spirit gives meaning to life and is connected to the kingdom of God.
Finally, Fr. Micah points out that today is the first Sunday after mid-Pentecost, which draws from both the feast of Pascha and the feast of Pentecost. Pascha is the answer to the great question of death: the truth of the resurrection. Pentecost is the answer to the great question of life’s meaning: the Holy Spirit. These two feasts are a fulfillment of worshipping the Father in spirit and in truth.
Through Christ and the Holy Spirit, we can worship the Father in spirit and in truth, giving us meaning and life.
Walking with Christ - Fr. Gregory - May 26, 2024
27 MAY 2024 · oday is the Fourth Sunday of Pascha, the Sunday of the Paralytic. Fr. Gregory focuses on the Gospel reading, in which Christ heals a man who has been paralyzed for 38 years. Jesus commands the man, saying, “Arise, take up your bed, and walk,” and the man does.
Fr. Gregory points out that walking is one of our most basic forms of communication as humans. Throughout gait, posture, and speed, we form a sort of “personal signature.” Likewise in Scripture, walking is used as a metaphor for a way of life. Fr. Gregory challenges us to follow Christ in our walk, living our lives according to the ways of the Church through prayer, almsgiving, reading Scripture, attending church, and confession. As the paralytic, we can obey Christ to get up and walk — and continue walking with him all the way to heaven.
Believe in Resurrection - Fr. Paul - May 19, 2024
19 MAY 2024 · On this Sunday of the Myrrh Bearing Women, Fr. Paul recounts the story of these women who were the first to behold the empty tomb and initiated the spreading of the good news to the world.
The resurrection is the central theme of this story. In today’s sermon, Fr. Paul emphasizes the importance of belief in the resurrected Christ, which brings us purpose in life as well as joy and peace. There are three sources of belief that he urges us to attend to. First is the Holy Scriptures, second is Holy Tradition, and third is the miracle of creation that we see all around us.
The Doors - Fr. Micah - May 12, 2024
13 MAY 2024 · On this Sunday of Thomas, Fr. Micah focuses on the significance of doors in our church’s liturgical tradition.
He discusses the doors of Hades that once held every generation captive. Not only did Christ shatter these doors, but he also opened the doors of Paradise to us. Fr. Micah relates this to how we experience open doors and closed doors in our lives, as a closed door causes great pain and an open door causes great joy.
Fr. Micah encourages us to open the doors of our ears to hear the words of Christ, open the doors of our eyes to see beauty in the faces around us, and open our mouths to call upon God to show us mercy. He also warns us about a door that God has given us the freedom to open or close — the door of forgiveness.
May we open the doors of our hearts to Christ, with faith uttering the words of Thomas who cried out, “My Lord and My God.”
Catechetical Paschal Homily - Fr. Gregory - May 5, 2024
5 MAY 2024 · Fr. Gregory delivers the Catechetical Paschal Homily of our father among the saints, St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.
"If any man be devout and love God, let him enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any man be a wise servant, let him rejoicing enter into the joy of his Lord. If any have labored long in fasting, let him now receive his recompense. If any have wrought from the first hour, let him today receive his just reward. If any have come at the third hour, let him with thankfulness keep the feast. If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; because he shall in nowise be deprived thereof. If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near, fearing nothing. If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let him, also, be not alarmed at his tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of his honor, will accept the last even as the first; He gives rest unto him who comes at the eleventh hour, even as unto him who has wrought from the first hour.
And He shows mercy upon the last, and cares for the first; and to the one He gives, and upon the other He bestows gifts. And He both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering. Wherefore, enter you all into the joy of your Lord; and receive your reward, both the first, and likewise the second. You rich and poor together, hold high festival. You sober and you heedless, honor the day. Rejoice today, both you who have fasted and you who have disregarded the fast. The table is full-laden; feast ye all sumptuously. The calf is fatted; let no one go hungry away.
Enjoy ye all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the riches of loving-kindness. let no one bewail his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed. Let no one weep for his iniquities, for pardon has shown forth from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He that was held prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into Hell, He made Hell captive. He embittered it when it tasted of His flesh. And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: Hell, said he, was embittered, when it encountered Thee in the lower regions. It was embittered, for it was abolished. It was embittered, for it was mocked. It was embittered, for it was slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it was fettered in chains. It took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was seen, and fell upon the unseen.
O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and dominion unto ages of ages. Amen."
Weekly sermons from Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham, Alabama.
Information
Author | Parish Life Connect |
Organization | Finding God |
Categories | Religion & Spirituality |
Website | www.spreaker.com |
- |
Copyright 2024 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company