St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Church - Selected Sunday Sermons

Selected Scripture Readings

July 10, 2022 - 5th Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE: Romans (10: 1 - 10)

Brothers and Sisters! My heart's desire, my prayer to God of the Israelites, is that they may be saved. Indeed, I can testify that they are zealous for God though their zeal is unenlightened. Unaware of God's justice and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the justice of God. Christ is the end of the law. Through him, justice comes to everyone who believes. Moses writes of the justice that comes from the law, “The one who observes the law shall live by it.” But of the justice that comes from faith he says, “Do not say in your heart, 'Who shall go up into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down), or 'Who shall go down into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” What is it he does say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach). For if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Faith in the heart leads to justification, confession on the lips to salvation.

GOSPEL: Matthew (8: 28 - 9:1)

At that time as Jesus approached the Gadarene boundary, he encountered two men coming out of the tombs. They were possessed by demons and were so savage that no one could travel along that road. With a sudden shriek they cried: “Why meddle with us, Son of God? Have you come to torture us before the appointed time?” Some distance away a large herd of swine was feeding. The demons kept appealing to him, “If you expel us, send us into the herd of swine.” He answered, “Out with you!” At that they came forth and entered the swine. The whole herd went rushing down the bluff into the sea and were drowned. The swineherds took to their heels, and upon their arrival in the town related everything that had happened, including the story about the two possessed men. The upshot was that the entire town came out to meet Jesus. When they caught sight of him, they begged him to leave their neighbourhood. Then he reentered the boat, made the crossing, and came back to his own town.

July 24, 2022 - 7th Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE: Romans (15: 1 - 7)

Brothers and Sisters! We who are strong in faith should be patient with the scruples of those whose faith is weak; we must not be selfish. Each should please his neighbour so as to do him good by building up his spirit. Thus, in accord with Scripture, Christ did not please himself: “The reproaches they uttered against you fell on me.” Everything written before our time was written for our instruction, that we might derive hope from the lessons of patience and the words of encouragement in the Scriptures. May God, the source of all patience and encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another according to the spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and voice you may glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, as Christ accepted you, for the glory of God.

GOSPEL: Matthew (9: 27 - 35)

At that time as Jesus moved on, two blind men came after him crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he got to the house, the blind men caught up with him. Jesus said to them, “Are you confident I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him. At that he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith it shall be done to you,” and they recovered their sight. Then Jesus warned them sternly, “See to it that no one knows of this.” But they went off and spread word of him through the whole area. As they were leaving, suddenly some people brought him a mute who was possessed by a demon. Once the demon was expelled the mute began to speak, to the great surprise of the crowds, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!” they exclaimed. But the Pharisees were saying, “He casts out demons through the prince of demons.” Jesus continued his tour of all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues, he proclaimed the good news of God’s reign, and he cured every sickness and disease.

July 31 , 2022 - 8th Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians (1: 10 - 18)

Brothers and Sisters! I beg you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you say. Let there be no factions; rather, be united in mind and judgment. I have been informed, my brothers, by certain members of Chloe’s household that you are quarreling among yourselves. This is what I mean: One of you will say, "I belong to Paul,” another, "I belong to Apollos,” still another, "Cephas has my allegiance,” and the fourth, "I belong to Christ.” Has Christ, then, been divided into parts? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Was it in Paul’s name that you were baptized? Thank God I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so there are none who can say that you were baptized in my name. Oh, and I baptized the household of Stephanus. Beyond that, I am not aware of having baptized anyone else. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- not with wordy "wisdom,” however, lest the cross of Christ be rendered void of its meaning. The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation, it is the power of God.

GOSPEL: Matthew (14: 14 - 22)

At that time as Jesus saw the vast throng, his heart was moved with pity, and he cured their sick. As evening drew on, his disciples came to him with the suggestion: "This is a deserted place and it is already late. Dismiss the crowds so that they may go to the villages and buy some food for themselves.” Jesus said to them: "There is no need for them to disperse. Give them something to eat yourselves.” "We have nothing here,” they replied, "but five loaves and a couple of fish.” "Bring them here,” he said. Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke them and gave the loaves to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the people. All those present ate their fill. The fragments remaining, when gathered up, filled twelve baskets. Those who ate were about five thousand, not counting women and children. Immediately afterward, while dismissing the crowds, Jesus insisted that his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side.

August 6, 2022 - Transfiguarion of Our Lord

EPISTLE: 2 Peter (1: 10 - 19)

Brothers and Sisters! Be solicitous to make your call and election permanent; surely those who do so will never be lost. On the contrary, your entry into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly provided for. I intend to recall these things to you constantly, even though you already understand and are firmly rooted in the truth you possess. I consider it my duty, as long as I live, to prompt you with this reminder. I know, by the indications our Lord Jesus Christ has given me, how close is the day when I must fold my tent. I shall press to have you recall these things frequently after my departure. It was not by way of cleverly concocted myths that we taught you about the coming in power of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we were eyewitnesses of his sovereign majesty. He received glory and praise from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him out of the majestic splendor. “This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rests.” We ourselves heard this said from heaven while we were in his company on the holy mountain. Besides, we possess the prophetic message as something altogether reliable. Keep your attention closely fixed on it, as you would on a lamp shining in a dark place until the first streaks of dawn appear and the morning star rises in your hearts.

GOSPEL: Matthew (17: 1 - 9)

At that time, Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before their eyes. His face became as dazzling as the sun, his clothes as radiant as light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, how good that we are here! With your permission I well erect three booths here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Out of the cloud came a voice which said, “This is my beloved Son on whom my favor rests. Listen to him.” When they heard this the disciples fell forward on the ground, overcome with fear. Jesus came toward them and laying his hand on them, said, “Get up! Do not be afraid!” When they looked up they did not see anyone but Jesus. As they were coming down the mountainside, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone of the vision until the Son of Man rises from the dead.”