All Saints Homilies

Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and instructor; He will lead us into all truth. When we pray Psalm 118:66 we ask the Holy Spirit to teach us goodness, discipline, and knowledge. Fr. Pat looks a these three things.

Fr. Pat compares the march of the Israelites through the desert, the Church’s march through history, and the Christian's daily walk.

The account of the man born blind serves as a narrative completion of the themes introduced on the night of Pascha. Fr. Pat preaches on the darkness of blindness and the True Light, which gives light to every man coming into the world.

The Samaritan Woman whom Jesus meets at the well has, like many people today, a disordered life. Fr. Pat offers reflections on how this disorder afflicts the soul.

Discussion of the care of the human soul is of special necessity in the age and atmosphere in which we live. Fr. Pat turns once again to this very important topic.

Fr. Pat examines three failures of the rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16. This homily was first given at All Saints Church several years ago.

In this homily given on St. Thomas Sunday, 2011, Fr. Pat considers how the revelation of the Holy Trinity takes place through the entire Pentecostarion, and how Pascha is not really complete until Pentecost.

In four brief meditations given on each of the four Royal Hours on Great and Holy Friday, Fr. Pat reflects upon Ephesians 3:18.

Fr. Pat captures some dimensions of the place of the mother of Jesus in the passion of Christ.

Among Biblical concepts, one of the central is the covenant. Indeed, covenant is at the absolute center and root of the identity of the people of God. In today’s homily, Fr. Pat considers three aspects of covenant.

There are times in our lives when we make our own the petition of the father in Mark 9: “Help my unbelief.” But faith is increased only by being tested. Fr. Pat offers reflections on this.

On the Sunday of the Holy Cross, when Jesus asks us “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” Fr. Pat shares reflections on faith and its relationship to the soul.

On the second Sunday of Lent Fr. Pat looks at our Lord’s passion, the power of His blood, and the authority of the Church.

What exactly is the Sunday of Orthodoxy? Is it recognition of an achievement, or is it more than that? Fr. Pat explores the meaning of icons and the Triumph of Orthodoxy. This homily was preached in 2008.

Fr. Pat considers three aspects of the works that are traditionally associated with the Great Fast: prayer, fasting, and deeds of mercy.

On the Sunday of the Last Judgment, Fr. Pat reflects upon the most important question ever posed to the mind of man.

On the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Fr. Pat reflects upon human history, the event of Jesus of Nazareth, and upon the true protagonist of this parable.

Timothy’s mother and grandmother not only raised him in the faith, but they instructed him in the study of sacred grammar. Fr. Pat suggests three blessings that came to young Timothy through this study, which pertain to all of us, not just those raising children.

In 2 Timothy 2:1-10, Paul holds out three models for Timothy’s life which are three metaphors for the life in Christ. Timothy is not free to choose which one he wants; he must follow all three.

Can God be hurt? Can he be offended? Is God sensitive? Can he be disappointed? Fr. Pat offers reflections on the Parable of Talents and the nature of God.