Locusts and Wild Honey
by Priest Methodius Chwastek
Fr. Methodius' sermons from the Liturgy and his talks from Vespers have a simple, direct, and singular motive; to honor God, who sent His Son into the world, by preaching the message of Repentance, the message of all the Apostles and Holy Fathers. These messages are provided free of charge, but donations are welcome!
Episodes
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In the Deep of Dawn...
What can the Myrrh-bearing maidens' experience at the unsealed tomb teach us? How can we apply what we learn from them in our everyday lives? What about at church? Fr. M offers some advice.
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Come to the Light now or be burned by fire then!
This short homily explains the simple truth that repentance is required now, not later.
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What happened in the Upper Room?
Fr. Methodius explains a little about the sending of the Spirit and how He came in stages upon the Apostles. This helps shed light on the Sacramental and Spiritual office of the Priesthood as the holy Scriptures record.
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God Save the King!
How can we celebrate the Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem when we know how things ended?
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The Power of Incorruptibility
On the Feast of St. Lazarus, we heard two brief homilies. I thought you might like to hear them.
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Involuntary suffering as voluntary
What can we learn from the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste about voluntary suffering? How do we measure up to these brave warriors whose feast is important enough to set aside the services to St. John of the Ladder?
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Comforted by the Cross, not by food and things!
What is the significance of the fact that the Church gives us the Cross for Refreshment and comfort? How is this a radically different source for these things than we usually use?
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St. Gregory Palamas the Iconodule!
Last week, I tempted myself to listen to some other sermons on the subject of the "Sunday of Orthodoxy". What troubled me was how iconoclastic some sermons, given in Orthodox churches seemed. In honor of St. Gregory, pride of Thessalonika, I wanted to let him speak on the Orthodox worship of Icons.
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Following our Predecessors on the Path
The Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy is celebrated by Orthodox Christians and by Ecumenists. Should it be?
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Down and Out of Paradise!
Have you ever considered the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise? Fr. Methodius completes a sermon series for the four weeks preceding Lent with this one.
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Dread Judgment 2026
Does figurative language serve us when it comes to the fearful day of judgment? Listen to learn why we should be careful how we hear about the age to come.
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The Pods of Slothfulness: Prodigal Son 2026
An examination of certain passions and some techniques to escape traps.
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Heiromartyr Andrew Zimin
On the Great Feast of Theophany, we also celebrated the memory of the martyred Archpriest Andrew Zimin. Listen to what love for Christ inspires in others.
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Imitating the Publican and Pharisee
Listen to what the Church services say about this Gospel parable.
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She Fled her Parents for Glory!
St. Syncletia has many good things to teach us. From the Prologue for the day, Fr. M lifts out a couple of details as we prepare for the fast!
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Characteristicly Evil, Herod and the Inoccents
We can look back on the horrifying events of history with disgust while overlooking the evil deeds and the influence we have for evil today!
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Wise Men, Created and Uncreated Light
The Persian wise-men don't often get a good representation. Why should we look to them to find the pattern of Orthodoxy?
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Christ strengthens me!
Did you ever think of Worship as something you would need Christ's strength to offer? This homily was given toward the end of the Vesperal Liturgy after the Royal hours of Nativity!
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Divine and Human Cooperation
We Orthodox should not miss the great significance of the very Human nature of our God, which was fed on milk from His Mother's breast!
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A conspiracy to reject our Lord!
In today's Gospel reading, the wicked conspired together to reject the invitation of our Lord. Is it possible to apply anything to ourselves so long after the Jews rejected God's invitation?
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Life in the Spirit!
What does it mean to live "In the Spirit?" What enabled the Saints to overthrow the order of nature when we sinners can barely deal with our circumstances? St. Herman provides insights.
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Orthodoxy of the Obedient Heart!
I waited some time before publishing this one. I also sought the advice of a bishop. When one True Orthodox priest slanders another, and not because of sins or errors, concealing this travesty is another kind of error.
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Ones and Tens and other biblical numbers!
In this Gospel passage, one man has the sense to return gratitude to God, Who has healed his infirmities. What do we owe such a great Healer Who forgives sins?
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The Great Martyr Catherine against Self-Love!
You cannot love God or man as long as you love yourself! What can we learn about fleshly love and the passions that separate us from God from the way the Great Marty Catherine gave herself in suffering?
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You have it backwards! Force yourself, but offer your kids.
This homily was given for the Great Feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the temple. Parents today try to force their children to do things they do not require of themselves. This is why the churches don't have lots of kids around!
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Orthodoxy is Neptic or it isn't Orthodox!
One modern author makes the following observation. "The Neptic Fathers are eminently social, and the Social Fathers are essentially Neptic! What does all this mean and why would a Gospel sermon focus on it?
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One Great High Priest and one Priesthood!
The idea preavails that the tearing of the temple curtain signified that all believers now have access to God. Did it ever occur to you that all believers had access to God before the curtain was ripped? Once we dismiss this Protestant supposition, what can we learn from this theological event?
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His own beast!
The parable of the Good Samaritan is given jsut after a man attempted to "justify" himself before the Lord and Giver of the Law. What is the significance of the beast mentioned in this parable, and how is it a great scandal to those who wish to justify themselves?
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The Sword of the Spirit!
Many people equate the Word of God with the bible. They go on to interpret phrases in the epistiles such as "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" to refer to the bible, a book that did not exist technically when these words were penned. St. Theophylact says, "The word of God means…
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A Salt Hill of Excuses
I can have the right Bishop, and I can look at the right Calendar, but if I don't put forth the effort and purify my heart, they do me no good!
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Pious Oath Breaking!
Is there ever a time when we should break our word or oath? How can we make even our mistakes point to Christ in a saving way, and what can we learn from Herod's evil oath-keeping?
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The New Year and Click bait!
Fr. Methodius explains what happens when Orthodox clergy take advantage of current events as a means of self-promotion. People's suffering is sometimes cheapened, and credibility is questioned.
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Sunday Homily: Rejecting God's Gifts
Does a priest have grace or lack it because he is American? Do people who have a Greek priest, or Russian recieve more grace from them? The Apostles dealt with partisanship, apparently, this ugly monster doesn't stay dead long!
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Caution! You Play a Role in your Salvation
Today there is a great shortage of True Orthodox Priests. Many people couldn't care less though. Does attending church services include only attending coffee hour in the basement? It does not. This talk was given at the end of Liturgy, and before our sister parish.
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Big Empty churches or Souls full of Love?
As we celebrate the Synaxis of the holy Apostles, is it possible that our lives betray the work they accomplished? Are Christians called to go into all the world preaching? Or is there something else we should be doing?
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They Built it, but we tear it down!
With our mouths, we praise the Preeminent Apostles Peter and Paul. But with our lives, we dishonor their work. How can we honor the memory of these Saints today? What foundation did they lay for us? And how can we build upon it?
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Raised in holiness by an Angel!
This homily combines aspects of the life of St. John with an exhortation to our community. Truth is closely associated with Love. If we forget this, we may pass on many things, without passing on the Truth!
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Our Wonderworking Vladyka John
Join me as I read a sermon written by St. John himself for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
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Bad Examples in the Parish!
What will our Lord say when we explain why we never prepared for Holy Communion? Why is modern Orthdooxy being shaped by converts and who is responsible for the vacuum they encounter when they come to our churches?
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Saints of the American Lands!
How can we honor the investments made by the Saints who brought Orthodoxy to America? Do we do that by buying up old buildings or is there some other method? Listen as Fr. M offers analysis and encouragement!
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The Descent of the Holy Spirit!
Fr. Methodius explains how Pentecost provides the Church with a unique ability, without which all of the other gifts lose lasting value.
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The 318 against one! Truth vs. Error!
Have you ever considered how harmful heresy is? In light of that, have you ever realized how powerful Orthodoxy is to heal? What are we saying about this power when we retain our old ways, thoughts, and feelings?
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The Ascension of our Lord 2025
Fr. Methodius explains how the three-fold method of holy Orthodoxy is enabled by both Christ's three-fold presence, and our Ascetical struggles.
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Blind Man 2025
What harm comes to us when we wander around in the dark? How was our Lord Jesus Christ the perfect example of patience, and did the holy Apostles ever become annoyed with people?
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Samaritan Woman 2025
Who were the Samaritans? What can we learn from their openness to God? What can we learn from their fundamentalism? Fr. Methodius looks into these and other subjects here.
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Paralytic 2025
I am not ashamed to say that I borrowed from St. John Chrysostom for this homily. What can we learn about watchfulness from the Paralytic? How do we compare with him? Do we?
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Sunday Of Myrrh Bearers 25
When a large part of our relationships with others is artificial, what can we learn from the holy Myrrh bearers who craved the dead body of our Lord? Fr. Methodius explains what a real relationship looks like!
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Annunciation homily 2025
Something great, the greatest thing happened to our Most holy Lady when she concieved in her womb by the Holy Spirit. How did She become worthy of such honor, and what does that mean for the way we must regard Her?
About this show
Fr. Methodius' sermons from the Liturgy and his talks from Vespers have a simple, direct, and singular motive; to honor God, who sent His Son into the world, by preaching the message of Repentance, the message of all the Apostles and Holy Fathers. These messages are provided free of charge, but donations are welcome!
Hosted by
Priest Methodius Chwastek