Homily - Sunday of Samaritan Woman - 4/28/13

Homily given on the 5th Sunday of Pascha by Fr. Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke of the meaning of the 5 husbands the samaritan woman had and how the represent the 5 broken covenants between man and God.  These 5 covenants are:

• Covenant with Adam - Promise to send a savior
• Covenant with Noah - Promise to renew creation
• Covenant with Abraham - Promise that all people will have the blessing of God
• Covenant with Moses - The giving of the law representing mans being made in image & likeness of God
• Covenant with David - Promise of a kingdom that never ends

Homily - Sunday of Samaritan Woman - 4/28/13

Homily - Sunday of Paralytic Man - 4/21/13

Homily given on the Sunday of the Paralytic Man by Fr. Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin used a triptych to help explain how the story of the paralytic man being healed by Jesus applies to us.  There was the period of time in life before we know the risen Christ, that moment when we meet Christ and what happens after that conversion.

Homily - Sunday of Paralytic Man - 4/21/13

Gospel - Sunday of Paralytic Man - 4/21/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Paralytic Man - 4/21/13

Gospel - 4/21/13

Homily - Myrrh-Bearing Women - 4/14/13

Homily given on the 3rd Sunday of Easter, The Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin talked about "three bottles of myrrh" we all bring with us in our walk with Christ.  These three "bottles of myrrh" are:

• All Of Our Possessions - We must realize that everything we have and everything in our world comes from God.  We can do nothing without God and we can have nothing without God.
• Human Sexuality - We must understand that God gave us the gift of sexuality in furtherance of his divine plan to go forth and multiply.  In order for us to understand this, we first must understand that all that we have comes from God.
• Divine Worship - Every Sunday, we come to the empty tomb with our bottle of myrrh and pour it out at the empty tomb when we participate in the Divine Liturgy.  This pouring out during worship is a great witness to our faith for visitors to our church as well as those who do not know Christ.

Homily - Myrrh-Bearing Women - 4/14/13

Gospel - Myrrh Bearing Women - 4/14/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, The Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women.

Gospel - Myrrh-Bearing Women - 4/14/13

Homily - Thomas Sunday - 4/7/13

Due to technical issues, the homily for Thomas Sunday 2013 was not recorded.  Attached is Fr. Rankins homily from Thomas Sunday - 2012.

Homily - Thomas Sunday - 4/7/13

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

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

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

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

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

Homily - 2nd Sunday of Lent - 2/24/13

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the 2nd Sunday of Lent.  Fr. Rankin talks about Chrismation in the Eastern Church.

Homily - 2nd Sunday of Lent - 2/24/13

Homily - 1st Sunday of Great Fast - 2/17/13

Starting a multi-week theme, Fr. Rankin reflected on the Book of Revelations and spoke about the first church mentioned, The Church in Ephesus and the words of Jesus that the Church in Ephesus has lost its first love, Jesus.  Fr. Rankin offered three things to meditate on in order to rediscover our first love, Jesus: 1.) Look at what false altars we have been worshiping at instead of God, 2.) Realize that this world is not our home or our ultimate destination and 3.) Use our imagination to place ourselves in the stories of the bible.

Homily - 1st Sunday of Great Fast - 2/17/13

Gospel - 1st Sunday of Great Fast - 2/17/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 1st Sunday of the Great Fast.

Gospel - 1st Sunday of Great Fast - 2/17/13

Homily - Sunday of Cheesefare - 2/10/13

Homily given on The Sunday of Cheesefare on 2/10/13.  This Sunday is also known as Forgiveness Sunday, as the Church starts the period of the Great Fast by asking forgiveness from all those around us.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflects on what it means when we say let us forgive one another.

Homily - Sunday of Cheesefare - 2/10/13

Gospel - Sunday of Cheesefare - 2/10/13

Gospel reading for the Sunday of Cheesefare, 2/10/13.

Gospel - Cheesefare - 2/10/13

Homily - Sunday of Prodigal Son - 1/27/13

Homily given on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, 1/27/13 by Fr. Robert Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin talks about the Gospel reading of the Prodigal Son and how it applies in Conversion, Conscientiousness and Communion.

Homily - Sunday of Prodigal Son - 1/27/13

Gospel - Sunday of Prodigal Son - 1/27/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.

Gospel - Sunday of Prodigal Son - 1/27/13

Homily - Sunday of Publican & Pharisee - 1/20/13

Homily given by Fr. Robert Rankin on the Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee - 2013.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin talks about the importance of prayer and how we are to pray.  This theme ties in with the Gospel reading of the Publican & Pharisee.  Jesus spoke about how the simple prayer of the Publican sent him home justified, while the prayer of the Pharisee did not.

Homily - Sunday of Publican & Pharisee - 1/20/13

Gospel - Sunday of Publican & Pharisee - 1/20/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Publican & Pharisee.

Gospel - Sunday of Publican & Pharisee - 1/20/13

Homily - Sunday after Theophany - 1/13/13

Homily given by Fr. Robert Rankin on the Sunday after Theophany.

Homily - Sunday after Theophany - 1/13/13

Gospel - Sunday after Theophany - 1/13/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday after Theophany.

Gospel - Sunday after Theophany - 1/13/13

Homily - Sunday of Theophany - 1/6/13

Homily given on Theophany 2013 by Fr. Robert Rankin.

Homily - Theophany 2013 - 1/6/13

Gospel - Sunday of Theophany - 1/6/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Theophany 2013.

Gospel - Theophany - 1/6/13

Homily - Sunday after Christmas - 12/30/12

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the Sunday after Christmas 2012.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflects on the gifts of the three kings and how these gifts foreshadow what Christ came into the world to be and do.

Homily - 12/30/12

Gospel - Sunday after Christmas - 12/30/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday after Christmas - 2012.

Gospel - 12/30/12

Homily - 12/25/12

Homily given on Christmas 2012 by Fr. Robert Rankin.  In his Christmas homily, Fr. Rankin talks about the love that is present in God and reflected in the Incarnation.

Homily - 12/25/12

Gospel -12/25/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for Christmas 2012.

Gospel - 12/25/12

Homily - 12/23/12

Homily given on the Sunday before Christmas, 12/23/12.  Fr. Rankin talk about the Gospel reading of the lineage of Jesus and why that is important for Catholics today.

Homily - 12/23/12

Gospel - 12/23/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday before Christmas, 12/23/12.

Gospel - 12/23/12

Homily - 12/16/12

Homily given on the 2nd Sunday before Christmas.  Fr. Rankin talks about the Gospel reading of the guests invited to the wedding feast who make excuses for not coming to the feast and uses the traditional approach of the early fathers in explaining this parable.

Homily - 12/16/12

Gospel - 12/16/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 2nd Sunday before Christmas - 12/16/12.

Gospel - 12/16/12

Homily - 12/9/12

Homily given on the 28th Sunday after Pentecost.  Reflecting on the parish St. Nicholas feast and the Gospel reading for the day, Fr. Rankin talks about the beatitudes in the Gospel and what they mean for us today.

Homily - 12/9/12

Gospel - 12/9/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 28th Sunday after Pentecost - 12/9/12.

Gospel -12/9/12

Adult Education - 12/2/12

Continuing the Adult Education for the Year of Faith, Fr. Rankin explained what the 12 articles of faith are in the creed and began to talk about the phrase, I Believe in God.  Expanding on his homily from the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Rankin talks about how we should a talk with a non-believer on why we believe in God.

Adult Education - 12/2/12

Homily - 12/2/12

Homily given on 12/2/12, the 3rd Sunday of the Pre-Nativity fast by Fr. Robert Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin talks about the Gospel passage of the Parable of the Rich Man and uses this as an apologetics point when dealing with non-believers.

Homily - 12/2/12

Gospel - 12/2/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of the Pre-Nativity fast.

Gospel - 12/2/12

Homily - 11/25/12

Homily given on 11/25/12 by Fr. Robert Rankin on the 26th Sunday after Pentecost and the Leave Taking of the Entrance of Theotokos In the Temple.  Fr. Rankin reflects on the past Thanksgiving holiday and what it means to truly be grateful in our lives.

Homily - 11/25/12

Gospel - 11/25/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 26th Sunday after Pentecost on 11/25/12.

Gospel - 11/25/12

Adult Education - 11/18/12

Fr. Rankin expanded on the Gospel of the Rich Fool in an educational talk to the adults of the parish.  Fr. Rankin spoke on how humans are made up of body, soul and spirit and how that is a reflection on the Trinity.

Reflection on Parable of Rich Fool - 11/18/12

Homily - 11/18/12

Homily given on the 25th Sunday after Pentecost on 11/18/12.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflects on the Gospel reading and the man storing his earthly treasure, while his life will be demanded of him that night.  Fr. Rankin spoke of how anytime we put something before God, be it earthly treasure or sin, we are a fool.

Homily - 11/18/12

Gospel - 11-18-12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost - 11/18/12.  The Gospel reading involves Jesus talking about the man storing up treasures on earth when his life will be demanded of him that night.

Gospel - 11/18/12

Gospel & Homily - 11/11/12

Due to technical difficulties, the Byzantine Gospel reading & weekly homily are not available this week.  They will return next week.

Homily - 10/28/12

Homily given on the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost by Fr. Robert Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin talks about the 7 capital sins and their corresponding virtues.

Homily - 10/28/12

Gospel - 10/28/12

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 10/28/12