Mysterion

Fr. Richard reflects on the nature of and reason for suffering.

God sees no material thing as despicable.

We are to offer the unique soil of our heart to the seed that God has planted in us by the hand of Jesus Christ—but first we need to know it.

Fr. Richard reveals the dark and horrific center of religion that is not present in Christianity.

Fr. Richard tells the story of a seemingly hopeless man whom he met during his prison ministry.

What do the Myrrhbearers have to teach us about coming to church?

Fr. Richard explains what the Resurrection means for our understanding of the human body.

Through His Incarnation, God makes it possible for all things to praise Him.

What will guarantee that we do not spend eternity in joy, beholding the presence of our Lord, is our expectations.

The Church is here to bring peace and joy in the midst of our sufferings. It is not here to make a difference in this world.

The Church brings us the story of the Gadarene Demoniac because it wants us to see ourselves in this man—our own fundamental insanity as fallen human beings.

It is not appropriate for us to judge others or to question God's judgment.

Fr. Richard explains how as Christian we are to respond to loss in our lives.

Fr. Richard examines the connection between Pentecost and Babel.

Fr. Richard shares three lessons he learned from an incarcerated individual who discovered the peace of Christ.

What is the arena in which the fate of the human soul is decided?

Don't worry about big acts, but rather concern yourself with the fundamental needs that people have.

Fr. Richard explains how the story of Noah points to Jesus Christ.

Both those who lead and those who follow in the Church need to ask themselves, "How can we look at power differently?"

Fr. Richard explains what the story of the Myrrhbearers has to teach us about the social teaching of the Church.

Fr. Richard explains that if we are going to fully enter the Christian life, then part of our task is to acquire wisdom.

Fr. Richard explains how to attain dispassion.

We can either live life in our heads and be alone, or we can live life in our hearts and meet with God.

Fr. Richard explains that by prescribing the readings from Genesis during Lent, the Church links creation with the journey of the Lord to the Cross.

Fr. Richard reminds us that we can conceive in others the presence of God through our words.

Fr. Richard reminds us that we have the God-given potential to rise above those things that would subject us.

As we follow Jesus to the cross, explains Fr. Richard, our challenge is to seek to become human again.

Drawing on the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, Fr. Richard outlines the two dimensions of "great faith."

Fr. Richard marvels at the mystery of how this pure, incorruptible, uncontaminated, utterly righteous God immersed himself in the tailing pond of humanity's most toxic attitudes and behaviors.

Who is the enemy in our spiritual war? Fr. Richard reminds us that it is not flesh and blood, but rather the demon of our age.

Fr. Richard explains that God brings us to Church to show us that He loves us.

Fr. Richard explains what the story of St. Helen and the Cross teaches us about experiencing the resurrection power of the Cross in our lives.

Fr. Richard shares his homily from the Feast of the Dormition.

Fr. Richard explains why Christianity is the end of religion.

Fr. Richard shares his homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ.

What does St. Paul mean when he says we should be slaves of righteousness? Fr. Richard explains.

Fr. Richard explains what it truly means to be perfected.

Fr. Richard reflects on the differences between Sts. Peter and Paul.

Fr. Richard answers two questions: How do we realize God's closeness to us, and how do we proclaim it?

Fr. Richard reminds us that after Christ ascended into heaven, he grew closer to us than ever.

Fr. Richard explains why the myrrh-bearing women came to the tomb.

Fr. Richard explains that it by following St. Thomas's example that we can break through the "business as usual" that follows Lent and Pascha.

Fr. Richard explains what lust actually is and how to overcome it.

Fr. Richard reminds us that we must go down to go up St. John's Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Fr. Richard explains that the antidote to fear is surrender.

Fr. Richard reminds us that if we're going to be people of the Cross, then we need to accept our subjugation and suffering.

Fr. Richard explains how we can encounter and know the energies of the living God.

Fr. Richard explains that the way for us to demonstrate the submission of the Theotokos is by trying to disappear.

Fr. Richard explains what it is about icons that is crucial and essential to being an Orthodox Christian.

Fr. Richard explains how to overcome resentment.

Fr. Richard examines the various ironies of resentment.