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

Homily - 10th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/28/13

Homily given on the 10th Sunday after Pentecost.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflected on the gospel reading that comes from Matthew 17:14-23 and reflected on that scripture in light of the coming Feast of the Transfiguration and the world that we live in today.

Gospel - 10th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/28/13

Homily - 9th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/21/13

Homily given on the 9th Sunday after Pentecost by Fr. Robert Rankin.  The Gospel reading for the Divine Liturgy came from Matthew 14:22-34.  In this Gospel, Peter walks on the water towards Jesus, but takes his eye off Jesus and begins to sink into the water.

Fr. Rankin reflected on that Gospel reading and spoke about the importance of our having both faith and works.  Faith and works are not opposites of each other, as many Protestants believe. Rather, they are both necessary for our salvation and that is what the Church teaches us.

Homily - 9th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/21/13

Gospel - 9th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/21/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost.  The Gospel reading comes from Matthew 14:22-34.

22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately he spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.” 29 He said,“Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30 but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

Gospel - 9th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/21/13

Homily - 8th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/14/13

Due to technical difficulties, the homily given on 7/14/13 was unable to be recorded.  The homily given on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost in 2012 is included instead.

Fr. Rankin spoke of the multiplication of the fishes and loaves as being a foreshadowing of the Eucharist.

Homily - 8th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/14/13

Gospel - 8th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/14/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading of the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 8th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/14/13

Homily - 7th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/7/13

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the 7th Sunday after Pentecost.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke about the year of faith and reflected on the beginning of Pope Francis' encyclical, Lumen Fidei and related it to the Gospel passage for today.

Homily - 7th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/7/13

Gospel - 7th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/7/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost.  The reading comes from Matthew 9:27-35

Gospel - 7th Sunday after Pentecost - 7/7/13

Homily - 6th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/30/13

In his homily on the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Rankin reflects on the Gospel reading of Jesus healing the paralytic.

Homily - 6th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/30/13

Gospel - 6th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/30/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/30/13.  The Gospel reading came from Matthew 9:1-8.

Gospel - 6th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/30/13

Homily - 5th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/23/13

Homily given on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost and on the Baptism, Chrismation and First Communion of a newly born member of the parish.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke of how the early church called the Sacrament of Confession a Second Baptism due to the fact that it restores our baptismal purity. 

Fr. Rankin reflected on the Gospel reading for today, the Gadarenes demoniacs mentioned in Matthew 8:28 - 9:1 and how appropriate this scripture was in regards to the newly enlightened Servant of God, Nicholas Steven.  Baptism in not just pushing out the darkness, but bringing in the light of Christ.  Fr. Rankin finished by reflecting on a sermon of Pope Francis on Evangelium Vitae.

Homily - 5th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/23/13

Gospel - 5th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/23/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 5th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/23/13

Homily - 4th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/16/13

In his homily on the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Rankin tied together the Old Testament reading from Saturday Vespers, the Epistle and the Gospel reading.

The Gospel reading came from Matthew 8: 5-13 and was the healing of the centurion's servant.  The reading from Saturday vespers came from the 8th Chapter of 1 Kings, where Solomon consecrated the temple to God and gave an exhaustive prayer.

In 1 Kings God reveals to Solomon that he will take the temple from the Jews and give it to those outside of the faith.  This ties with the Gospel reading as Jesus said in all of Israel I have not seen faith such as this when talking about the faith of the centurion.

Gospel - 4th Sunday after Penteocost - 6/16/13

Gospel - 4th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/16/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 4th Sunday after Pentecost - 6/16/13

Homily - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost - 6/9/13

In his homily, Fr. Rankin continues reflecting on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they apply to the Gospel,   Epistle and Old Testament readings from Vespers.

Homily - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost - 6/9/13

Gospel - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost - 6/9/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost - 6/9/13

Homily - Sunday after Pentecost - 5/26/13

In his homily, Fr. Rankin begins a series of reflections on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.  On the first Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Rankin spoke on two gifts, wisdom and fear of the Lord, as these two gifts matched up to the Gospel reading for Sunday.

Homily - Sunday after Pentecost - 5/26/13

Gospel - Sunday after Pentecost - 5/26/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday after Pentecost.

Gospel - Sunday after Pentecost - 5/26/13

Homily - Pentecost Sunday - 5/19/13

Homily given on Pentecost Sunday 2013 by Fr. Robert Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke on the meaning of Pentecost and how it fulfills the work of Christ and the tie in with Moses getting the ten commandments from God on Mt. Sinai.   Fr. Rankin also reflected on three things that the Holy Spirit does in our life: 1.  It saves us, 2. It shapes us and 3. It sanctifies us.

Homily - Pentecost Sunday - 5/19/13

Gospel - Pentecost Sunday - 5/19/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for Pentecost Sunday.

Gospel - Pentecost Sunday - 5/19/13

Homily - Sunday after Ascension - 5/12/13

Homily given on the Sunday after Ascension by Fr. Robert Rankin.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin reflected on the liturgical period we are in with the Ascension and the promise of Christ fulfilled; with Pentecost coming upon us and the promise of the Holy Spirit yet to come; and finally, with these two liturgical events happening on Mothers Day and how the Holy Theotokos is there as a spiritual mother to all of us.

Homily - Sunday after Ascension - 5/12/13

Gospel - Sunday after Ascension - 5/12/13

Byzantine Catholic Gospel reading for the Sunday after Ascension - 5/12/13

Gospel - Sunday after Ascension - 5/12/13

Homily - Sunday of Man Born Blind - 5/5/13

Homily given by Fr. Rankin on the Sunday of the Man Born Blind, May 5, 2013.  In his homily, Fr. Rankin spoke of ten traits that all Christians should strive to live by and tied those traits into the Gospel reading and the Epistle for the Sunday of the Man Born Blind.

Homily - Sunday of Man Born Blind - 5/5/13

Gospel - Sunday of Man Born Blind - 5/5/13

Bzyantine Gospel reading for the Sunday of the Man Born Blind.

Gospel - Sunday of Man Born Blind - 5/5/13

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