Sunday, March 31, 2013

Homily - Pascha 2013 - 3/31/13

In his homily for Pascha, Fr. Rankin spoke of Pope Francis' homily at the Easter Vigil and the 3 emotional reactions to the resurrection that the disciples had.  These 3 emotions were: Surprise, Fear and Confusion.  Fr. Rankin also reflected on how even in modern times, whenever God is doing some in our lives, we still have those same 3 emotions.  At the end of the homily, Fr. Rankin led everyone in renewing their baptismal vows.

Homily - Pascha 2013 - 3/31/13

Gospel - Pascha 2013 - 3/31/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for Pascha.

Gospel - Pascha 2013 - 3/31/13

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Homily - Palm Sunday - 3/24/13

Finishing up the Great Fast study of the churches in the Book of Revelation, Fr. Rankin reflects on the church at La-odice and what it means for us today.



"And to the angel of the church in La-odice'a write: `The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.  "`I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Homily - Palm Sunday - 3/24/13


Gospel - Palm Sunday - 3/24/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for Palm Sunday.

Gospel - Palm Sunday - 3/24/13

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Homily - 5th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/17/13

Continuing the Great Fast journey through the Book of Revelation, Fr. Rankin reflects on the meaning of the letter to the Church at Thyatira.



"And to the angel of the church in Thyati'ra write: `The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  "`I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.  But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jez'ebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.  I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her immorality.  Behold, I will throw her on a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her doings; and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches shall know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve. But to the rest of you in Thyati'ra, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay upon you any other burden; only hold fast what you have, until I come. He who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, I will give him power over the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from my Father; and I will give him the morning star.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Homily - 5th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/17/13

Gospel - 5th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/17/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 5th Sunday of the Great Fast.

Gospel - 5th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/17/13

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Homily - 4th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/10/13

Homily given on the 4th Sunday of Great Fast by Fr. Rankin.  Continuing the lenten discussion of the Churches in the Book of Revelation, Fr. Rankin spoke today on the Church at Pergamum and reflected on three mountains, three compromises and three promises by Christ.

Homily - 4th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/10/13

Gospel - 4th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/10/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 4th Sunday of The Great Fast.

Gospel - 4th Sunday of Great Fast - 3/10/13

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Homily - 3rd Sunday of Great Fast - 3/3/13

Continuing a multi-week theme, Fr. Rankin reflected on the Book of Revelations and spoke about the second church mentioned, The Church in Smyrna and the words of Jesus

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:  These are the word of him who is the first and the last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty- yet you are rich!  I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown."  

Fr. Rankin spoke of the church in Smyrna and that it was headed at that time by Polycarp, who studied at the feet of the Holy Apostle John and that Jesus had nothing but positive things to say about that church.  Would that all of our churches be found in the same spiritual condition as the church at Smyrna.

Homily - 3rd Sunday of Great Fast - 3/3/13

Gospel - 3rd Sunday of Great Fast - 3/3/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of the Great Fast.

Gospel- 3rd Sunday of Great Fast - 3/3/13