Father Christopher Zugger's Weekly Sermons are now available as MP3 files to download either from this website or via iTunes.
NOTE: These files are approximately 7-10 MB each, and could take up to half an hour each to download on a dial-up connection. .
Click here for instructions on how to download the sermons or access via iTunes.
MP3 Downloads of Father Christopher's Sermons:
| July 8, 2007 |
A farewell poem to a parishioner entering the cloister of the Carmelite Monastery of the Annunciation in Sugarloaf, PA. |
| July 1, 2007 |
Saint John Chrysostom tells us that Jesus allowed the demons to enter the pigs for our instruction. Yes, we learn, if we haven't already, that there are such things as demons, and that they would really like to do us harm, in body, soul, and goods. yet we also learn that we can have confidence in the power of Jesus over the demons, for they can't even enter pigs without the permission of Jesus. So, it is clear, that even though demons are smarter and stronger than we are, if we stay with Jesus the victory will be ours! |
| June 29, 2007 |
The importance of Peter and Paul, not only for the Church of Rome but for the universal Church - source of devotion to them and the challenge they issue to us. |
| June 24, 2007 |
An inspiring and gentle talk from Father Juraj Terek, of the Exarchate of Kosice in Slovakia. |
| June 17, 2007 |
Fr. James explains how the spiritual life is like a roller coaster, full of dizzying heights and crushing lows. Through this roller coaster of life we need to accept that all things, good and bad, come from God. We need to know that God is caring for us even when we think that all else is lost. |
| June 12, 2007 |
Not a sermon, but an interview with Father Chris on Immaculate Heart Radio, 98.9FM , the Archbishop's Hour. (Not available on iTunes.) |
| June 10, 2007 |
Jesus calls US to the most important business of all: Follow Me. Do that, and what will happen? Listen in. |
| June 03, 2007 |
Everyone can become a saint, and should want to be a saint. On the Feast of All Saints, Fr Chris speaks about a Chinese Catholic who was a leading layman, a doctor devoted to the poor, descended from an "old Catholic" family converted in the 1650s, but who was addicted to opium after a medical treatment gone awry. Under the rules of the Church in China in the late 19th century, he was barred from Holy Communion. How could he end up becoming Saint Mark Ji Tianxiang, canonized in 2000? How would I respond to his long 32 years without Communion? Am I open to the Holy Spirit - and how much? |
| May 27, 2007 |
Pentecost is the outpouring of the Spirit, the renewal of humanity in God's image, and when we are built up by the power of the Third Person of the Trinity in special ways. Listen to how this happens. |
| May 20, 2007 |
Today we heard farewell discourses from both St Paul and Jesus in the readings. On this Sunday we also commemorate the First Council, which determined the faith of the Church has always been that Jesus is Son of God and Son of Man, human and divine. Why does that matter? Why is Pentecost so important that Paul was "hurrying" to Jerusalem? Tune in. |
| May 06, 2007 |
The Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Gospel is filled with rich imagery linked to the speech of Jesus at Mid-Pentecost. Father unpacks the call to intimacy with God that is given to each of us in this Scripture and on this feast. |
| April 29, 2007 |
Do you want to be healed? Jesus poses that question to the man paralyzed for 38 years and surprisingly gets an equivocal answer. What about us? Our world is, frankly, a mess, and people complain all the time about it - but God does offer healing to the leaders of the world, and they don't take it. Why not? And what about me? I want to be healed, right? But there will be changes involved. Do I really want to be healed - will I accept His hand? |
| April 22, 2007 |
Hear the mysterious origin of God's call to Father Chris on this Vocation Sunday. We are all called in different ways, and we need to think about the ways in which we can truly nurture the hidden seeds in people for all calls. Father mentions how Soviet managers tried to keep Catholic workers because they were responsible, sober, and trustworthy - is that how we as Catholics are known when we fill our vocations? |
| April 15, 2007 |
St Thomas was just one of many who doubted. But notice how Jesus treats all of them: with respect, love, and peace. We move closer to Pentecost and the outpouring of the Spirit - our sins should not hold us back from God. |
| April 8, 2007 (Pascha sermon) |
We started Holy Week with "thy King cometh to THEE". We entered Pascha with a taste of the transforming power of divine grace. Grace is the energy of God, and it is available to us always. Think the world is broken? It is. How can we fix it? Listen in. |
| April 8, 2007 (Pascha Gospel) |
Easter Sunday Gospel from John 1 in Old Slavonic, Latin, Spanish, German, and English. |
| April 6, 2007 |
Why does no one kiss my Face to make amends to Me for the kiss of Judas? What wounds are these? These are the wounds I received in the house of those who love Me. Each of us has insulted the Holy Face of Christ with our sins. Each of us has wounded Him though we love Him. Now we are invited, challenged, asked to change - to kiss this Holy Face, to kiss these life-giving wounds, and to be open to the infused love of the Holy Spirit, so that we will bring joy to God and not sorrow. |
| April 5, 2007 |
Christ gives Himself absolutely to us in every Communion. He invites us to respond in the same way - to be attentive, and to be open. How often though, do we walk away with the Holy Body and Precious Blood resting in our mouths, and our minds are far from this Mystery? Tonight we are called to be truly present to this miracle, and to carry that awareness with us from now on. |
| April 1, 2007 |
Rejoice O Daughter of Jerusalem, behold thy King comes to THEE (each of us). He comes as king, healer, conqueror, and the Lord of my heart. Can I give Him my heart this week and walk with Him? Truly? |
| March 25, 2007 |
The Annunciation marks the beginning of a new phase in salvation history. God enters time in a radical way, in the flesh, in the womb of the virgin Mary. She is told that she will conceive inside the womb, through the power of God - something unbelievable - yet she accepts fully. Mary gives herself radically to God - and I? |
| March 18, 2007 |
Sunday of St John Climacus - We are called to climb the ladder of divine ascent by prayer and fasting. What does that mean? Radical renunciation of self, truly giving of self, truly trusting in God. |
| March 11, 2007 |
The Sunday of the Cross is given to us to lead us deeper into
the mystery of Jesus' sacrifice. He willingly ascends the Cross. If I
have two pieces of wood, and one is my will and one is God's will, and
they never intersect, then I have a problem. If they do interesect,
and I begin to grow thru the Holy Spirit, what do those two linked
pieces of wood make? |
| February 4, 2007 |
Why on Earth does our new Liturgy book have inclusive language? What's the point? Father explains his own journey to proper understanding of this issue in our Church, and how true obedience to divine authority does bring liberation of the soul and peace. An important sermon for all those who are using the new prayer books. |
| January 28, 2007 |
O God be merciful to me a sinner. That is the cry of the publican and of every devout Christian. As we move closer to Great Lent, we must both acknowledge our own individual sinfulness and prepare for battle against the devil and temptation. God is with us! |
| January 21, 2007 |
On the Sunday of Zaccheus, and Jesus' call to conversion and humility, we also had remembrances for the active duty military, with special prayers for the wounded, and for the repose of particular soldiers whose parents attended the Liturgy. Blue Star (living children in military) and Gold Star (children killed in action/died of wounds) parents were present and Father Chris addresses them, and the Church as a whole, regarding the military, faith, witness, and conversion. |
| January 14, 2007 |
The opening line of our communion prayer comes right out of the Bible, from 1 Timothy 1. Paul sees himself, the great apostle, as the first of sinners. Each of us is the first of sinners - really?? |
| January 7, 2007 |
Sunday after Theophany - the Lord calls to us, intimately, to respond to Him. |
January 5, 2007
Blessing of Holy Water
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The prayer for the blessing of holy water, given on Theophany. |
January 5, 2007
Sermon
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The great joy of the Baptism of the Lord - how we should let ourselves be swept away in the excitement of the feast! |
| December 31, 2006 |
Who is St Joseph? He is a model for men, for fathers, for parents, above all a model of true obedience and faithfulness. But is it possible to live out his virtues now? |
| December 25, 2006 |
Your birth O Christ our God has shed upon the world the light of knowledge - what is this knowledge? We turn to Jesus and discover the fullness of God's revelation, the fullness of His self-giving, and must ask ourselves how much we love Him in return. |
| Evening of December 24, 2006 |
Fr. Chris and Fr. Bear deliver a children's sermon of the accessibility of Christ through the Eucharist. |
| Morning of December 24, 2006 |
Fr. Chris explains how Jesus' entry into the world is a light piercing the darkness. The light is God's fulfillment of his promise, a son will be born unto us. The only thing we need to have "ready" for Christmas is our hearts; ready to accept the love of Jesus. |
| December 17, 2006 |
We visit the spiritual ancestors of Christ, the prophets, and their great hunger for the Messiah. We see the foreshadowing of Jesus in their writings - do we see Him now? |
| December 10, 2006 |
Jesus Living in Mary - we wrap up the Pentecostal readings today as we move to the Sundays to prepare us for Christmas. Jesus Living in Mary has a profound impact on the lives of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and the other unborn child in this season, John the Baptist. How much an impact will we let Him have now in these 14 shopping days to Christmas? And 14 days to shop for divine grace? |
| December 8, 2006 |
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the womb of Saint Anne of the Theotokos (God bearer/ Mother of God) makes perfect sense in Jewish theology and in our understanding of Who the God-Man is: hear why. |
| December 6, 2006 |
The Saint of Charity (Saint Nicholas) holds a special role in our Byzantine Catholic Church and is one of our great role models in the journey to theosis. |
| November 12, 2006 |
St Josaphat had to make a hard choice: retreat from the truth or martyrdom? Who came to his aid - not the Christian population, not at all. We face hard choices today - but we must hold to the truth - check this sermon out for insights and blunt speaking. |
| November 5, 2006 |
Jairus and the bleeding woman both see Jesus as their only choice, their last option. They turn to Him and He responds beyond anything they could have imagined. Christ is our option - our choice. We turn to Him and find joy, unexpected joy, and interior healing. Eucharist also means thanksgiving - how do I thank God for His attention to me, for what He does for me? What do I give of myself to Him and His Church? How do I respond to the 24/7 love of God for me? |
| October 29, 2006 |
The Gadarenes throw Jesus out - because they are afraid of the man being cured! What am I afraid of from God's power - and isn't that a foolish way to live? By the way, later the Gadarenes welcome Jesus back --- why? Who changes their attitudes so that they welcome God's healing power? An interesting twist takes place that most of us aren't aware of in this reading - and remember, the Lord conquers all evil: nothing can defeat HI |
| October 22, 2006 |
101 continues with the preparation of the priest and deacon at the prayers before the iconostas, but even more so, the real preparation of the heart that must take place for anyone to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Lazarus the beggar died prepared and was taken to the bosom of Abraham; the rich man chose to focus on wealth and pleasure and burned in Hades. What is my own preparation before I go to church? What is my focus in daily life? What will be said of me - that I was one who loved and was a messenger of love, or the painful obituary Jesus gives of the rich man: he feasted splendidly and dressed well. |
| October 15, 2006 |
Byzantine 101 continues on the Sunday that remembers the Ecumenical Council which affirmed the use of images in Christian worship. Father gives an overview of the doctrine taught by the Council - that because God took on flesh and thus was visible, images may be made of Jesus and the Saints -- and the proper veneration of icons as opposed to worship. But he goes on with a short talk on how the icons should be used, in the spirit of St Anthony the Great, to experience true conversion, to be lifted up and drawn into the experience of God, and to be transfigured here in this life by God's grace. What is the iconostas really about? What do the Holy Doors lead to? |
| October 8, 2006 |
This sermon continues the Byzantine 101 series, as Father addresses the quality of God's mercy, and what it should mean for us, and also goes over the layout of the Byzantine church building, its connections with the Temple of Jerusalem, and the sanctuary as our goal in daily life. How will I get to what lies beyond the Holy Doors? |
| October 1, 2006 |
The Feast of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God is a good occasion to visit Catholic teaching on the role of Mary in the Church, in our lives, and how can she be a mother to us? Jesus gave her to us when he gave her to St John as He was dying on the Cross - why? This feast commemorates historical interventions by the Mother of God in answer to prayers offered in Constantinople on four occasions of invasion and plague from 567 to 911 - Mary is not just Theotokos, she is also the Queen Mother of the true King of Israel and will lead us to her Son. |
| September 24, 2006 |
The Apostles "gave up everything" to follow Christ. But Saint Paul says that those who follow Him "possess everything". How do we reach that point in following the Gospel? Do we truly leave the Liturgy "in the name of the Lord?" and carry Him with us all week? |
| September 17, 2006 |
We cannot waffle on issues of dogma at all - once we begin to, we open the doors to danger. When we listen to the power of the Holy Spirit in us and embrace the cross, we are able to step forward with no fear. |
| September 13, 2006 |
Ave Crux, spes unica! Hail O Cross our only hope! What does that mean to us in the modern world? And how can God who did so much for us truly forgive us? |
| September 10, 2006 |
The Cross is central to our lives as Saint Paul tells us - it is the one thing in which we can boast. Christ willingly gave Himself for us, and never abandons us. He is always with us, no matter what, and wishes us to be one with Him. We must be more open to communion with the Holy, and re-focus our lives on the true mystery of the Cross. |
| September 3, 2006 |
God is our loving Father who gives us everything that we need. Everything! Do I act responsibly with His blessings? Do I think that just because I am a Catholic I will enjoy in Paradise? How am I living so that I will see the Face of God for all eternity? |
| August 14, 2006 |
On the Dormition (falling asleep) of Our Lady, Fr. Chris speaks about how we, like Mary must eventually let go of this world. We must not fear death, as Jesus will be there to receive our souls. |
| August 13, 2006 |
Fr. Chris speaks on living fervently the way God wants us to live, giving up our vices, and letting go of those things that hold us back in our faith. |
| August 6, 2006 |
Fr. Chris comments on the new icon, Christ the Pantocrator, painted on the ceiling of OLPH. On this feast of the Transfiguration, Fr. Chris explains how we should desire to let the light of Christ show within us, and we should live a good life so that we may be welcomed into that light upon our death. |
| July 30, 2006 |
Visiting priest Father Damian Higgins, iconographer and Studite monk, preaches on the call to spiritual awareness and conversion through the holy icons. |
| July 23, 2006 |
Fr. Chris speaks on the life and example of Blessed Basil Hopko, persecuted in communist Czechoslovakia, and his battle to overcome depression through personal prayer and the intervention of imprisoned nuns. This was an occasion for blessing those with mental health problems with a first-class relic of Bishop Hopko. |
| July 16, 2006 |
Sermon on the Six Ecumenical Councils, the falsehoods of the DaVinci Code, and the centrality of the God-Man Jesus Christ to our salvation today. |
| July 09, 2006 |
Fr. John Zeyack visits OLPH for Fr. Chris' 25 year anniversary and gives the sermon. Fr. John is the Priest of the eparchy of Passaic teaching at the seminary in Uzhorod, Ukraine. |
| July 02, 2006 |
Fr. Chris speaks on being worthy to receive Christ. While none of us are truly worthy to receive Him, worthiness is not what Christ asks for. |
| June 25, 2006 |
Fr. Chris speaks about stepping back from our busy lives, stepping back from our jobs and our worries, and spending time with God. |
| June 18, 2006 |
Fr. Chris talks about the strong sense of American materialism, and giving up our material goods and following God. |
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