Sermons At St. Nicholas

As we begin preparing our hearts for the annual Lenten journey, the Church presents us with the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. Fr Tom reminds us that fulfilling God's commandments should not be a cause for pride, because humility teaches us that we are only doing our duty to Him as unprofitable servants.

Jesus is given various titles in the New Testament: Teacher, Master, Lord and others. Fr Tom reminds us that, as Orthodox Christians, we must strive to approach God for not only who He really is, but who we really are too. (Thirty-first Sunday after Pentecost)

The feast of the Circumcision of Christ stands as a bridge between the old and new covenants. As we begin the new year, Fr Tom reminds us that we should resolve to fulfill the "Circumcision of Christ," our baptism. (Sunday before the Theophany)

On the feast of the Nativity of Christ, we celebrate the eternal Word of God taking on Human flesh and identifying with our humanity. Fr Tom reminds us that we also celebrate being adopted by God into His family as true children of God. (The Nativity of Christ)

The Church is the community where Christ has established peace among all people. Fr Tom reminds us that we should live in that mercy and peace with everyone we encounter. (Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

Faith is initiated in us by the gift of God in Christ being given to us in baptism. Fr Tom reminds us that it is our responsibility to live a life in light of that gift. (Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is among the most beloved of all stories in scripture. Fr Tom reminds us that showing mercy to those who have fallen into the ravages of sin is essential to their healing. (Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost)

Anyone can do a good deed, but Fr. Tom reminds us that truly godly works are motivated by a faith in Christ which leads to salvation. (Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost)

The New Testament epistles as well as the Divine Liturgy constantly encourage us to be of one mind because we are members of the Body of Christ and of one another. Fr Tom used today's epistle reading as an opportunity to encourage his parishioners to develop oneness with each other in order to achieve parish goals. (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost)

The Scriptures and the Fathers have much to say about the Jewish people, and unfortunately, this view has largely been misrepresented. Fr Tom teaches us that the people of God, Israel, will always be those who love and follow the true God. (Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)

On the Sunday after Pentecost, we commemorate all of the men and women who attained holiness through obedience to the commandments of Christ. Fr Tom reminds us that it is within our free choice to love God above all and to follow His will for our lives. (First Sunday after Pentecost)

The eternal Word ascends to Heaven in His resurrected body, receiving the glory He had with His Father before the world began. Fr Tom reminds us that Christ does all this so that He can share this heavenly life with us. (Sunday after the Ascension)

As Christians, we have been raised to a new life with Christ in baptism. Fr Tom reminds us that as we grow, we must constantly cooperate with God's grace by asking ourselves if we truly want to be healed. (Fourth Sunday of Pascha - Healing of the Paralytic)

Eight days after the Lord's Resurrection, Jesus appeard to Thomas in His glorified body, manifesting the power of God's Kingdom. Fr Tom reminds us that the Lord grants us His Kingdom, here and now, and we recieve it when we are faithful. (Second Sunday of Pascha)

On the feast of feasts we celebrate the glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fr Tom reminds us that our joy on this uniquely singular day also comes from the hope that God Who began this marvellous work in His Son will also complete it in us. (The Holy Pascha)

We can all relate to the father who cries out to Jesus, "help my unbelief!" But Fr Tom teaches us that focusing on the unchanging promises of God will keep us faithful.

On the Third Sunday of the Great Fast, the Church places the precious cross of our Lord in the midst of the temple for our veneration and contemplation. Fr Tom reminds us that the scriptures present the cross as a sign both of comfort and of judgment, encouraging us to fulfill the Lenten effort to take up our cross and follow Christ. (Veneration of the Precious Cross)

In the gospel reading for the second Sunday of Great Lent, Christ heals a man of debilitating paralysis. But Fr Tom reminds us that Jesus reveals something even more important, that He forgives sins as the eternal Son of God. (Second Sunday of Great Lent - Healing of the Paralytic)

On this first Sunday of Lent we celebrate the historical Triumph of Orthodoxy over the Iconoclasts. Fr Tom reminds us that we also need an ever-present Triumph of Orthodoxy in our lives to fulfill the evangelical call of Christ. (Sunday of Orthodoxy)

On the day before the beginning of Great Lent, the Church teaches us that our journey of repentance begins with offering forgiveness. Fr Tom reminds us that forgiveness is the essential action to grow in the likeness of God, because it is what He freely offers to us. (Forty-first Sunday after Pentecost - Forgiveness Sunday)