Give Me A Word

Dec 05 2024 105 ep. 5

Give Me A Word Podcast artwork

A collection of daily and weekly homilies from the seminarians, faculty, and honored guests of St. Vladimir's Seminary - straight from the ambo of Three Hierarch's Chapel.

Religion & Spirituality

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Becoming Living Temples: Embracing the Example of the Theotokos

In this homily for the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos, Fr Bogdan Bucur emphasizes that the Theotokos, or Mother of God, is not an exceptional figure for us to admire from afar, but an example for us to follow closely in our own lives. Just as she became the living temple that bore Christ, we too are called to become living temples by "becoming pregnant" with the Word of God

Returning to Eden through the Cross

From the perspective of a first-century Jew, the account of the man named Legion in the Gospel of Luke would be surprising in several ways. Dn Harrison Russin highlights how Jesus defies expectations by going into Gentile territory (where herding pigs was an acceptable occupation), to save a demon-possessed man living in the most unclean conditions. Furthermore, Jesus is clearly mo

Becoming the Living Temple of God

In this homily, the Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel reminds us of the profound truth that we are the living temple of God and encourages us to strive to maintain closeness to God. He urges us to shun worldly idols, like wealth and pride, which can distance us from God, and to embrace humility and compassion as exemplified by Lazarus in the Gospel. By examining our choices and seeking

Become Like Your Father: Compassionate

Therefore be compassionate, just as your Father also is compassionate!" (Luke 6:36). Our Lord’s command in the Gospel of Luke offers a more concrete counterpart to the command, in the Gospel of Matthew, to be perfect as our Father in heaven (Mat 5:48). If the Lord is "compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and most merciful," as we read in Scriptures (Exod 34:6; Ps 102/103:8)

Uncovering Layers of Meaning in Christ’s Actions

The account in the Gospel of Luke about how the Lord called Peter, James, and John may seem like a straightforward retelling of events. However, like all Scripture, this passage contains deeper meanings, available to the reader only with deeper study and prayer. The Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel highlights the significance of the "great haul of fish," linking it to the original sta

The Cross Transforms Our Suffering into Joy

In this homily given on the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon (OCA) describes the Cross as both a symbol of suffering and of victory. The Cross represents the transformation of suffering into joy and death into life through Christ's sacrifice. It is central to our Christian worship and salvation. When we embrace our own crosses in our lives, our

Bearers of Courage and Love

The tomb was blocked. Roman guards stood watch, armed and vigilant. Yet, in spite of the very real risk of danger and personal suffering that could await them, a group of women disciples went ahead anyway, determined to anoint the body of their Lord and Master. Why? On this Third Sunday of Pascha, The Very Rev. Prot. Vincent Temirov speaks to the motivations of the Holy Myrrhbearin

A Christian Response to Achievement and Failure

Nothing is more natural to the fallen mind than to be delighted with praise and one’s own achievement, and likewise to be frustrated and embarrassed by criticism and failure. But the examples of our Lord and His apostles tell us they were not beholden to anyone or anything in this world. Our struggle to become like them, and to take steps toward true victory over our fallen natur

Believing in Christ that We Might Have Life in His Name

As we continue to celebrate the most glorious Pascha of our Lord, says the Very Rev. Dr Alexander Rentel, we must remind ourselves how difficult it must have been for His disciples immediately after His crucifixion. There was fear, doubt, and extreme discouragement. This is what made their joy all the more exuberant and full when the Lord appeared to them through locked doors as th

Partaking in the Lord’s Mystical Supper

In this homily on Holy Thursday, the Very Rev. Dr Bogdan Bucur invites us to consider the establishment of the Holy Eucharist as a sacrament and God’s core invitation to us to partake in His life. Fr Bogdan draws on the many Scripture readings of Holy Week to emphasize both the characters who heeded God’s invitation to Himself (e.g. the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, the pro