Hearts and Minds
193 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsFr. John Oliver's thoughtful perspective on culture, society and the Orthodox faith.
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Episodes
The Essential New Year’s Resolution
December 30, 2013 19:40 - 8 minutes - 8.29 MBWhat are your goals for 2014? Lose weight? Save more? Stop smoking? Get organized? Fr. John would like to remind us of the one goal that surpasses all others.
Foolish Controversies
December 13, 2013 14:21 - 8 minutes - 8.37 MBFr. John Oliver reflects on the importance of keeping justice, mercy, and faithfulness preeminent, as opposed to foolish controversies, genealogies, and dissension.
Reading God’s Books
December 03, 2013 21:45 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBA talk Fr. John Oliver gave at a symposium titled "God's Books: Reading Scripture in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam" held at the Murfreesboro Mosque in November.
Our Words and The Word
December 13, 2012 14:32 - 9 minutes - 8.8 MBThe words that come out of our mouths have a direct connection to the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.
Black Friday and the Desires of the Heart
November 29, 2012 17:19 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBEach year on the Friday after Thanksgiving, shoppers and stores gear up for the busiest day of the shopping year. Fr. John reflects on what drives the passion for that day and how it relates to our quest for peace.
Advent - Bridging the Chasm to the Divine
November 16, 2012 22:45 - 7 minutes - 7.12 MBAs we begin the Advent Fast, Fr. John Oliver reflects on the chasm that divides us from the Divine and the uniqueness of Christianity in bridging that gap.
Let His Enemies Be Scattered
May 09, 2012 21:22 - 10 minutes - 9.71 MBFr. John relays a story about a Monk in Greece struggling with alcohol and relates it to the Psalmist's words and the words of the Paschal hymn, "Let God Arise and Let His Enemies Be Scattered."
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 10
April 02, 2012 12:21 - 10 minutes - 9.73 MBIn this final reflection on the petitions in the Divine Liturgy, Fr. John gives some alarming statistics of those "in tribulation, wrath, danger, and necessity."
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 9
March 28, 2012 16:46 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBAs Fr. John continues through the litanies of the Divine Liturgy he reminds us of the quote, "we are saved together but we are damned alone."
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 8
March 19, 2012 14:34 - 7 minutes - 6.86 MBAll around the world there are droughts, famine, and disease. How do our intercessory prayers at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings touch the people impacted by them?
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 7
March 12, 2012 14:21 - 9 minutes - 8.55 MBFr. John now reflects on the litany for those in civil authority and our armed forces.
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 6
March 05, 2012 13:49 - 9 minutes - 8.97 MBIn the next litany of the Divine Liturgy, we pray for our Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Fr. John tells us why this is so important.
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 5
February 27, 2012 13:40 - 10 minutes - 9.82 MBIn the 4th litany of the Divine Liturgy, we pray for this Holy House, and those with faith, fear, and reverence enter therein.
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 4
February 20, 2012 13:46 - 15 minutes - 14.4 MBIn the 3rd litany of the Divine Liturgy, we pray for the "good estate of the holy churches of God." This is a global as well as a local prayer for our parishes. As we take in new members to our parishes, what are our responsibilities to them?
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 3
February 13, 2012 13:21 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBIn our Divine Liturgy we pray "In peace let us pray to the Lord." We all want peace but what does it mean to be a peace maker?
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 2
February 06, 2012 14:34 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBIn part 2, Fr. John connects the opening prayers of the Divine Liturgy to the real life issues facing our world. He begins with a typical family preparing for church on a typical Sunday morning.
Intercessory Prayer: The Last Hope for the World - Part 1
January 30, 2012 21:27 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBIn this new 10 part series, Fr. John introduces his topic which relates the necessity of intercessory prayer to the world circumstances we face.
Be Merciful
October 10, 2011 14:59 - 10 minutes - 4.98 MBFr. John reminds us that "we are not God," and that it is better to use discernment in situations where we do not know the whole story than to leap to judgment.
What True Faith is
August 24, 2011 18:21 - 9 minutes - 4.29 MBFr. John tells us that faith is an active expression where we offer, fill, untie, explain, rise, walk, and follow.
What Only God Can Give
May 26, 2011 14:54 - 9 minutes - 4.32 MBFr. John reminds us that while we all seek from another person to be fully known and fully loved, this is something that only God can give.
Difficult Questions
May 04, 2011 02:01 - 7 minutes - 3.67 MBFr. John Oliver asks difficult questions in the wake of the death of Osama Bin Laden.
The Least of These
February 28, 2011 22:58 - 11 minutes - 5.39 MBFr. John shows how the Bible's answer to "What must I do to be saved?" differs from the world's.
Start with the Eagles
January 18, 2011 01:58 - 7 minutes - 3.5 MBFr. John exhorts his listeners (despite being a published author himself) to read the saints first.
Human Nature
January 04, 2011 23:59 - 9 minutes - 4.17 MBFr. John uses the great feasts we are celebrating as evidence against excusing our deviant behavior.
The Word Became Flesh
December 22, 2010 23:32 - 8 minutes - 4 MBFr. John explains how all the Church's words are full of grace and truth—an example for us all as we celebrate the birth of the Word.
A Great Banquet
December 21, 2010 12:00 - 7 minutes - 3.54 MBFr. John uses the parable of Jesus to show us what Christian life is supposed to be.
The People who Sat in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light
December 08, 2010 00:10 - 8 minutes - 3.84 MBFr. John examines how the advent season prepares us for the Nativity of Christ.
A Special Occasion
November 03, 2010 23:03 - 8 minutes - 3.89 MBFr. John summarizes the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in just two words.
Power Made Perfect in Weakness
September 14, 2010 00:58 - 8 minutes - 3.93 MBFr. John notes the differences between problems and crosses to bear.
The Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
August 17, 2010 23:49 - 11 minutes - 5.1 MBDuring the afterfeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Fr. John reflects on the mystery that is Mary.
We Are Responsible For The World
June 23, 2010 13:00 - 9 minutes - 4.51 MBFr. John offers a reflection on the recent tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Summer House
June 16, 2010 23:44 - 7 minutes - 3.52 MBFr. John makes the obvious (?) connection between summer and the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 8th Century, BC.
Upon Those In The Tombs
May 03, 2010 23:49 - 10 minutes - 4.59 MBFr. John looks at tombs we all fall into—the sins, beliefs and habits that drain the life out of us.
What Must I Do?
April 13, 2010 00:16 - 8 minutes - 3.96 MBWith the glorious Paschal season upon us, Fr. John examines the questions being asked of Christians by today's world.
Slowing Down for Holy Week
March 23, 2010 02:08 - 8 minutes - 3.93 MBFr. John shows how Holy Week answers the question of "What happened?" between Christ's entry into Jerusalem and His glorious Resurrection.
Below the Water Line
February 16, 2010 00:40 - 10 minutes - 4.65 MBFr. John shows how, like the ecosystem of Guam was damaged by an unseen predator, so also what we keep hidden within us can destroy our relationships without repentance.
What Now
January 15, 2010 01:01 - 6 minutes - 3.06 MBFr. John uses the thoughts of St. Nikolai Velimirovich to reflect on the tragedy in Haiti.
Disappointments Not Healed in This Life
December 01, 2009 03:29 - 10 minutes - 4.82 MBFr. John examines the life and faith of the Holy New Martyr and Grand Duchess Elizabeth.
Gratitude In Action
November 25, 2009 02:10 - 9 minutes - 4.19 MBFr. John notes the deeper meanings of remembrance and of giving thanks.
Bowing to the Great Suffering
November 18, 2009 02:23 - 10 minutes - 4.89 MBFr. John illustrates how Christians are those who reach out to people in pain
The Sower And The Seed
October 15, 2009 00:11 - 11 minutes - 5.34 MBFr. John examines the well-known parable in answer to the question, "Are you saved?"
Imitation and Participation
September 28, 2009 22:50 - 10 minutes - 4.93 MBFr. John shows how participation in God's sacraments are a necessary part of our salvation.
Our Lord Come
September 17, 2009 03:18 - 9 minutes - 4.41 MBHaving previously looked at new beginnings, Fr. John now discusses the end times and those who foolishly try to predict them.
New Years and New Beginnings
August 31, 2009 22:59 - 15 minutes - 7.14 MBFr. John explains why the new church year begins on September 1, then tells of a birthday party like no other.
Commending Ourselves and Each Other to Christ Our God
August 21, 2009 23:10 - 10 minutes - 4.82 MBWhat do those words in the liturgy mean? And how do we accomplish this? Fr. John enlightens us with the answers.
Glorifying God In Our Bodies
August 04, 2009 22:51 - 10 minutes - 4.87 MBAre our physical bodies evil? Are they good? Fr. John explores these questions in light of Christ's Transfiguration.
Descending in Humility
July 08, 2009 00:47 - 9 minutes - 4.26 MBFr. John illustrates how lowliness and self-condemnation should be our goal, rather than pride and self-esteem.
Adam’s Lament
June 09, 2009 15:34 - 10 minutes - 4.8 MBIn this Pentecost season, Fr. John looks to "Adam's Lament" by St. Silouan to show that the loss of the Holy Spirit is the source of our sorrows.
Qualities of Worship - Part 4
May 30, 2009 00:37 - 9 minutes - 4.19 MBFr. John shows that it is not modified behavior that makes us people of God, but changed hearts.
Qualities of Worship - Part 3
May 11, 2009 23:31 - 11 minutes - 5.43 MBFr. John turns to answering what happens to us over time when we gather as the Body of Christ.