Gospel - Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council - 10/13/13

There are two Gospel readings for this Sunday.  One for the Fathers of the 7th Ecumenical Council and the other for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost.

The reading for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost came from John 17:1-13:

 1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, 2 since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 4 I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; 5 and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.

6 “I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; 8 for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine; 10 all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

The reading from the 7th Ecumenical council came from Luke 8:5-15:

“A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns;and the thorns grew with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said,“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.  11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in timeof temptation fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Gospel - Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council - 10/13/13

Homily - 20th Sunday after Pentecost - 10/6/13

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the 20th Sunday after Pentecost.  Fr. Rankin spoke on the culture of death in our society and how it runs against the Gospel reading proclaimed at the Divine Liturgy.  Fr. Rankin used the story of Fr. Paulo and Fr. Felipe Lizama, twin brothers recently ordained to the priesthood.  Their mother was told that the baby in her womb was growing to be seriously deformed, with three arms and two heads. and was encouraged by the doctor to have an abortion.  Their mother chose to accept the gift of the child, which turned out to be two healthy boys who are now priests for Jesus Christ.

Homily - 20th Sunday after Pentecost - 10/6/13

Gospel - 20th Sunday after Pentecost - 10/6/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost.  The Gospel reading came from Luke 7:11-16 and reads:

11 Soon afterward he went to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 And he came and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said,“Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 And the dead man sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. 16 Fear seized them all; and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”


Gospel - 20th Sunday after Pentecost - 10/6/13

Homily - 19th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/29/13

In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke about the Gospel reading for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost which had to do with loving your enemies.  Fr. Rankin further unpacked the Golden Rule and how it applied to today's Gospel reading.

Homily - 19th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/29/13

Gospel - 19th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/29/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.  The reading comes from Luke 6:27-36 and reads as follows:

27 “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.e Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Gospel - 19th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/22/13

Homily - 18th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/22/13

In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflected on the Gospel reading where Jesus called on his Apostles to put out into the deep and let down their nets for a great catch.  Fr. Rankin gave an example from his priesthood where he was asked by a group to give a retreat in Detroit, MI.  While at the hotel, he had an encounter with several businessmen who wanted to discuss the message of the Gospel and the Church.  At the end of that encounter, phone numbers and addresses were exchanged.  Fr. Rankin read a letter from one of the men who said he is still casting out into the deep water and trusting Christ.

Homily - 18th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/22/13

Gospel - 18th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/22/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost.  The reading came from Luke 5:1-11:

1 While the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 And he saw two boats by the lake; but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great shoal of fish; and as their nets were breaking, 7 they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

Gospel - 18th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/22/13

Homily - Sunday after Exaltation of Holy Cross - 9/15/13

Homily given on The Sunday after the Exaltation of The Holy Cross.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin talks about the discovery of the true cross, the triumph of the true cross and the exaltation of the true cross.

Homily - Sunday after Exaltation of Holy Cross - 9/15/13

Gospel - Sunday after Exaltation of Holy Cross - 9/15/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday after the Exaltation of Holy Cross.  The Gospel reading comes from the Gospel of Mark 8:34 - 9:1.

34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 For what can a man give in return for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Chapter 9

1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

Gospel - Sunday after Exaltation of Holy Cross - 9/15/13

Homily - 16th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/8/13

In his Homily, Fr. Rankin reflected on the convergence of three liturgical events taking place on Sunday.  First, it was the 16th Sunday after Pentecost; Second, it was the Feast of The Nativity of The Theotokos; Finally, it was the Sunday before the Exaltation of The Holy Cross.

Fr. Rankin spoke about the Nativity of The Theotokos and theological connection of celebrating her arrival in the world because she was the initiator of God's plan of salvation into the world.

Fr. Rankin ended his homily with a beautiful chant narrating how closely the Theotokos and Christ are connected in God's plan of salvation.

Homily - 16th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/8/13 

Gospel - 16th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/8/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost.  The reading came from the Gospel of Matthew 25:14-30:

14 “For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’

Gospel - 16th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/8/13

Homily - 15th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/1/13

Homily given on the 15th Sunday after Pentecost by Fr. Steve Gross, OFM.  In his homily, Fr. Gross spoke of the new liturgical year and it being an opportunity for us to start fresh in our spiritual life.  Today was also the 1700th anniversary of the Christian Church being free to worship in public with the Edict of Milan being approved.  Finally, Fr. Gross reflected on the Gospel reading and the fact that God calls each of us to union with him.

Homily - 15th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/1/13

Gospel - 15th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/1/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost.  The Gospel reading comes from Matthew 22:35-46 and reads:

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” 
41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying,“What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at my right hand,
till I put thy enemies under thy feet’? 45 If David thus calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did any one dare to ask him any more questions.

Gospel - 15th Sunday after Pentecost - 9/1/13

Homily - 14th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/25/13

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the 14th Sunday after Pentecost.  The Gospel reading for the day was the parable of the man throwing a wedding feast for his son.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke of the understanding the Church has about the parable.  Father also spoke of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and a teaching by St. Seraphim of Sarov that a person who manifests just one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit saves 1,000 souls by that outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit in their life.

Homily - 14th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/25/13

Gospel - 14th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/25/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 14th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/25/13

Homily - 13th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/18/13

Homily given on the 13th Sunday after Pentecost by Fr. Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke about the meaning of Gospel reading of the Parable of the Householder who planted a vineyard and sent his servants and his son to get his fruit.

Homily - 13th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/18/13

Gospel - 13th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/18/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost.  The Gospel reading comes from Matthew 21:33-42 and reads as follows:

33 “Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 34 When the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to get his fruit; 35 and the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did the same to them.37 Afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38 But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39 And they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41 They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:

‘The very stone which the builders rejected

has become the head of the corner;

this was the Lord’s doing,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Gospel - 13th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/18/13

Homily - Feast of The Dormition - 8/14/13

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke about the meaning of the words spoken about the Theotokos "Blessed is She who believed that the words to Her would be fulfilled".

The Holy Theotokos was the perfect daughter of Israel, waiting to receive the Messiah.  And she is the perfect woman who represents the Church.  Finally, she is the perfect Christian and was the first human to receive the fulfillment of the resurrection where body and soul are reunited after death.

Homily - Feast of Dormition - 8/14/13

Homily - 12th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/11/13

Homily given on the 12th Sunday after Pentecost.  Fr. Rankin briefly reflected on the Gospel passage of the Rich Man asking Jesus what he must do to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Homily - 12th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/11/13

Gospel - 12th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/11/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 12th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/11/13

Homily - 11th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/4/13

Homily given on the 11th Sunday after Pentecost by Fr. Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflected on the Gospel passage of the servant forgiven his debt and how is applies in our life on forgiving those who trespass against us.

Homily - 11th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/4/13

Gospel - 11th Sunday after Pentecost - August 4, 2013

Byzantine Catholic gospel reading for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 11th Sunday after Pentecost - 8/4/13