Eastern Christian Insights
389 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsHomilies from St. Luke Orthodox Church in Abilene, Texas
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Episodes
From the Darkness of Pride to the Light of Holiness
January 14, 2020 22:43Let us get over our pride and become living epiphanies of the salvation of the One Who was baptized by St. John the Forerunner in the Jordan.
Christ's Baptism as an Epiphany of the Salvation of the World
January 07, 2020 01:48At Theophany, we celebrate that no dimension of our life or world is intrinsically profane or cut off from sharing in the holiness of God. All things, physical and spiritual, visible and invisible, are called to participate in the divine glory that our Lord has brought to the world, to become even now signs of the coming fullness of God’s Kingdom.
Christ’s Baptism as an Epiphany of the Salvation of the World
January 07, 2020 01:44 - 5 minutes - 7.78 MBAt Theophany, we celebrate that no dimension of our life or world is intrinsically profane or cut off from sharing in the holiness of God. All things, physical and spiritual, visible and invisible, are called to participate in the divine glory that our Lord has brought to the world, to become even now signs of the coming fullness of God’s Kingdom.
Joy for the Imperfect People of the World
January 07, 2020 01:38The Lord’s genealogy in St. Matthew’s gospel traces the Savior’s human ancestry back through many generations to Abraham. The story of the ancestors of Christ, who helped to prepare the way across the centuries for the incarnation of the God-Man, certainly does not read like a Facebook posting. The Old Testament presents them realistically as unlikely members of His family tree.
How to Accept the Invitation to the Great Banquet of the Messiah
December 17, 2019 15:28In today’s gospel lesson, there were people so used to focusing on their daily routines and worldly responsibilities that they had lost the ability to recognize something new and joyful. One owned real estate, another had animals, and a third was married. Even though these are commonplace conditions, they used them to justify their refusal to accept the invitation to the great party. No one forced them to do so; instead, they excused themselves. As a result, the master commanded his serva...
Born for our Liberation from Bondage
December 10, 2019 22:10We are all bent over and crippled in profound ways in relation to the Lord, our neighbors, and even ourselves. The good news of Christmas is that the Savior is born to set us free from captivity to decay, corruption, and weakness.
Receiving Christ's Peace with the Humility of a Blind Beggar
December 02, 2019 22:20Christ came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.
Receiving Christ’s Peace with the Humility of a Blind Beggar
December 02, 2019 22:06 - 9 minutes - 13 MBChrist came to restore sight to the blind beggars of the world. Let us embrace the disciplines and spirit of the Nativity Fast in ways that will help us see that that is precisely who we are. Let us acquire the humility necessary to receive and share the peace that He was born to bring to the world. That is how we must all prepare to welcome Him into our hearts and lives at Christmas.
How to Respond to Uncomfortable Truths About Ourselves
November 25, 2019 19:23We have all had experiences in which we have learned uncomfortable truths about ourselves. When that happens, we have a choice about what to do next. It is possible to recognize a weakness or failing and then to do what we can to overcome it. Too often, however, we give up hope and fall into despair due to our hurt pride. That is precisely what the man in today’s gospel lesson did when Jesus Christ gave him a commandment that he lacked the strength to obey: “Sell all that you have and distri...
Now Is The Time to Prepare to Become “A New Creation” at Christmas
November 18, 2019 18:37Fr. Philip LeMasters shares about the rich, foolish farmer. "The barn of the rich fool was a pagan temple in which he worshiped only himself. If we live according to the standards of our world of corruption, we will become just like him by seeking to lay up treasures for ourselves to the point that we will shut ourselves out of the new life that Christ has brought to the world."
Now is the Time to Prepare to Become “A New Creation” at Christmas
November 18, 2019 18:31 - 11 minutes - 15.2 MBFr. Philip LeMasters shares about the rich, foolish farmer. "The barn of the rich fool was a pagan temple in which he worshiped only himself. If we live according to the standards of our world of corruption, we will become just like him by seeking to lay up treasures for ourselves to the point that we will shut ourselves out of the new life that Christ has brought to the world."
The Danger of Justifying Ourselves by Narrowing Down our Neighbors
November 11, 2019 22:19It is sobering how easily we can corrupt any good thing, including faith in Jesus Christ. Some people fall into the delusion of thinking that they love God and neighbor, when in reality they serve only themselves. One symptom of doing so is to narrow down the kind of people who count as our neighbors such that we excuse ourselves from seeing and serving Christ in all who bear His image and likeness. When we do so, we disregard not only them, but our Lord Himself. Our actions then reveal that ...
True Identity
October 21, 2019 20:40From the story of the healing of the Gadarene demoniac, Fr. Philip LeMasters shares about how we can become our true selves in Christ.
Mindfulness Bears Fruit
October 15, 2019 00:21Fr. Philip LeMasters reminds us to keep our attention on Christ.
The Nets
September 30, 2019 21:28Fr. Philip LeMasters shares about the calling of the Apostles and the Conception of St. John the Forerunner.
Exaltation of the Cross
September 16, 2019 20:29Fr. Philip LeMasters speaks about the importance of the Cross.
Nativity of the Theotokos
September 09, 2019 20:37Fr. Philip LeMasters speaks about our God-given purpose in life on the Feast Day of the Nativity of the Theotokos.
Ecclesiastical New Year
September 03, 2019 23:11Fr. Philip LeMasters shares from Luke 4:16-22, reminding us that earthly distinctions between different groups of people have no significance in the Kingdom of God.
Be Imitators of Me
August 27, 2019 14:57Fr. Philip LeMasters shares a homily based on this Sunday's Epistle and Gospel readings, reminding us to follow St. Paul's humble obedience to the way of Christ.
Holy Temple
August 20, 2019 19:56Fr. Philip LeMasters shares a homily based on this Sunday's Epistle and Gospel readings, reminding us to build our lives on the true foundation of Christ.
Loaves and Fish
August 15, 2019 03:01Fr. Philip LeMasters gives a homily on the Gospel reading on the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish.
Transfiguration and the Dormition of the Theotokos
August 06, 2019 01:56Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the Feasts of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Saint Timon Sunday
July 29, 2019 23:54Fr. Philip LeMasters shares the story of Saint Timon, and how his parish and the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America help participate in a Sister Diocese relationship with the venerable Archdiocese of Bosra-Hauran.
Saint Kyriaki
July 29, 2019 23:34Fr. Philip LeMasters recounts the life of Saint Kyriaki, powerful example of obedience to Jesus Christ.
Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles
July 02, 2019 20:56Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the example of the twelve holy apostles who sacrificed all for the sake of following Jesus.
Sunday of All Saints
June 25, 2019 00:22Fr. Philip LeMasters shares the importance of becoming saints in the Orthodox Church.
Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit
June 18, 2019 16:54Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The Ascension of the Son of God
June 11, 2019 14:11Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects upon the significance of the ascension of Jesus into the fullness of the Kingdom of God.
If the Lord Can Save Paul, There is Hope for us All
June 04, 2019 20:35Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the Gospel reading of the healing of the Blind Man.
The Impact of the Resurrection
May 30, 2019 12:49Fr. Philip LeMasters explains the impact of the resurrection of Christ through the story of the Samaritan Woman.
Do You Want To Be Healed?
May 21, 2019 13:52Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the healing of paralytic.
Christ is Risen!
May 21, 2019 13:39Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the Gospel reading from Thomas Sunday.
The Healing of the Soul
May 03, 2019 01:42Fr. Philip LeMasters invites us to embrace humility, as did St. Mary of Egypt who became a model of sanctity through the healing of her soul.
Blind to the Messiah
April 25, 2019 13:50Fr. Philip LeMasters describes the way in which we can be blind to Jesus, the Messiah, because he is not what we are looking for.
Help My Unbelief
April 09, 2019 16:37Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on faith and doubt and our need for spiritual clarity regarding our own unbelief, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Anxiety
April 06, 2019 03:57Fr. Philip LeMasters addresses our need to see our challenges in life in light of the Kingdom of God rather than through the lens of anxiety, worry and fear.
Taking Up Our Cross
April 02, 2019 21:18Fr. Philip LeMasters explains how we can become fully alive through taking up our cross and following Christ.
Healing the Paralyzed
March 26, 2019 14:03Fr. Philip LeMasters preaches on the Gospel reading of the healing of the paralytic.
The Salvation of the Whole Person
March 19, 2019 03:35Fr. Philip LeMasters introduces the significance of the Sunday of Orthodoxy and the restoration of the Holy Icons.
Returning to the Father
March 15, 2019 02:27Fr. Philip LeMasters reminds us of the purpose of the Great Fast on the Sunday of Forgiveness.
Estrangement and Return
February 26, 2019 14:45Fr. Philip LeMasters draws our attention to the estrangement of the prodigal son by his self-centered desire, and the love of the Father upon his return.
Praying to Ourselves
February 25, 2019 01:13Fr. Philip LeMasters considers how the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee relates to our lives today.
What About the Dogs?
February 12, 2019 16:40Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the gospel reading from the Sunday of the Canaanite Woman and the persistent humble faith that she exhibited.
Stewardship of our Talents
February 05, 2019 16:42Fr. Philip LeMasters calls us to offer our lives in service of the Kingdom of God.
The Healing of the Lepers
February 01, 2019 01:50Fr. Philip LeMasters asks, "Can physical things, including our bodies, become holy?"
Zacchaeus’ Personal Encounter With Jesus
January 31, 2019 06:01 - 9 minutes - 7.95 MBFr. Philip LeMasters describes the way that the early Christians, like Zacchaeus, were transformed by their encounter with Jesus Christ.
Zacchaeus' Personal Encounter With Jesus
January 30, 2019 02:51Fr. Philip LeMasters describes the way that the early Christians, like Zacchaeus, were transformed by their encounter with Jesus Christ.
Joseph the Betrothed
January 30, 2019 02:34Fr. Philip LeMasters reflects on the important role that Joseph the Betrothed played in the Nativity of Jesus Christ.
The Genealogy of Jesus
January 22, 2019 00:50Fr. Philip LeMasters explains our connection with the ancestors of Jesus.
Christmas: The Humility of Love for All People
January 22, 2019 00:36Fr. Philip LeMasters recounts the Christmas story that is for all humanity.