Come and See: Recent Episodes
Fr. Philip Hall and Ancient Faith Radio
Turning to and Following Christ in the 21st Century - Fr. Philip Hall explores the readings and services of the Church and relates them to everyday Christian life.
When we seem to make no headway against the evil one, the Lord will come and bring us safely through as we keep our eyes on him.
Instead of being bogged down in discussing ecclesial and theological minutiae, we must remember to live in obedience to the law of Christ.
Father Philip explores the central role forgiveness played in Christ's earthly ministry, as well as its role in our own personal journey toward theosis. Passages discussed: Romans 12:6-14, Matthew 9:1-8
As we see frequently throughout the New Testament, Christ annihilates the evil He encounters and frees those in bondage to it, foreshadowing the work of His crucifixion and resurrection. Fr. Philip discusses this salvific action in the context of the man possessed by a legion of demons, and St. Paul's writings on living the spiritual life.Passages discussed: Galatians 5:22-6:1; Matthew 8:28-9:1
Slavery to sin is Satan leading us to death, but slavery to Christ is complete freedom as we come before him humbly and repentantly as he gives us eternal life. Romans 6:18-23; Matthew 8:5-13
Father Philip explains how whole self can become flooded with the light of God which then shines on others and brings the light of God to them. Passages discussed: Romans 5:1-10; Matthew 6:22-33
Father Philip explains that to be a saint we must follow Jesus, care as Jesus cared, preach Jesus with our words and lives, and by being faithful to Jesus. Passages discussed: Acts 11:19-30, Matthew 4:18-23
Father Philip discusses how the saints are able to to turn their backs on the world: they go beyond their limits in suffering for Christ. We are called to imitate them so we too can be changed.Passages discussed: Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30
In this episode, Father Philip discusses the role our relationship with the Holy Spirit plays in our salvation. Passages discussed: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-8:12.
In this episode, Fr. Philip discusses the significance of heresy. All heresy leads people away from God and salvation. We cannot change the doctrines of the church but as we accept them we find that Christ changes us. Passages discussed: Acts 20: 16-36, John 17:1-13
Father Philip discusses how evil is exposed by the light of Christ, and we are shown who we really are.Bible passages discussed: Acts 16:16-34; John 9:1-38
Like Christ, who sought out and healed the paralytic at the pool, the Church is called to minister to those paralyzed by sin, especially if they can no longer recognize their need for spiritual healing.
From the revelation of the Resurrection of Christ to modern-day works of righteousness, God accomplishes His ends on Earth through spontaneous, sacrificial love.
Father Philip highlights how the resurrection upsets the world and causes antagonism against us, but it also brings us peace, completeness, forgiveness, and healing. Passages discussed: Acts 5:12-20; John 20:19-31
Father Philip discusses the contrast between Mary's extravagant gift given out of love and self-sacrificial hospitality with Judas's monetizing her gift, turning his back on the Lord, and his ultimate betrayal. He follows this with a brief reflection on the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem and how it proclaims the Gospel.Passages discussed: Philippians 4:4-9; John 12:1-18.
John cheekily ask for the most important positions in the Kingdom of God, but Jesus only offers a share in His upcoming suffering. It is to this cup that they, and us, are to drink and be baptized from.Passages discussed: Heb 9:11-14; Mark 10:32-45
In this episode, Fr. Philip explores the enduring reality of Christ’s healing work and our calling to participate in it, serving as His messengers who lead others to salvation, wholeness, and forgiveness.Scripture passages discussed: Mark 9:17-31
Fr. Phillip offers a homily on how perfect Orthodox fasting is accomplished by taking up our cross and following Christ wherever He may lead.Mark 2:14-17; Mark 8:34-9:1
Fr. Philip discusses how our broken images of others, of Christ, and of ourselves can be restored through our participation in the life of the Church.Hebrews 11:24-40, John 1:43-51
Live expectantly for the unexpected expectation. Hebrews 11:9-10,32-40, Matthew 1:1-25.
Second Sunday in Great Lent.The Sunday of the Paralysed Man.Hebrews 1:10-2:3, Mark 2:1-12
"Follow me!" says the Lord.First Sunday in Great Lent, Sunday of Orthodoxy. HEBREWS 11:24-26, 32-40JOHN 1:43-51
Great Lent.Romans 13: 11 - 14: 4, Matthew 6: 14- 21Cheesefare Sunday - Forgiveness Sunday
Jesus Christ Hidden in Plain Sight. Did you notice Him? How did you treat Him? Perhaps you were too busy praying?Sunday of the Last Judgement.1 Corinthians 8: 8 - 9:2, Matthew 25: 31 - 46
So what is the right question, and what is the right answer?2 Corinthians 9: 6- 11, Luke 10: 25 - 37.
Revealed in him.Galatians 1: 11- 19, Luke 8: 26 - 39(There's often a mistranslation in Galatians 1: 16. It often says God the Father revealed His Son "to" St. Paul, but it really says "in" St Paul.)
You will do well to pay attention to this says Apostle Peter.2 Peter 1: 10 - 19, Matthew 17: 1 - 9
Just as the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council did. Titus 3: 8-15, Matthew 5: 14-19
And His Righteousness and all this will be added to you. Romans 5: 1- 10, Matthew 6: 22- 33.
What sort of person becomes a saint and what do they all have in common? Hebrews 11: 33 - 12:2, Matthew 10: 32 - 38, 19: 27 - 30
Does God want you to have a big car, a successful career, a loving spouse, and beautiful children? Acts 20: 16 - 18, 28 - 36 John 17: 1-13
Acts 26: 1, 12-20, John 9: 1-38 Utterly blind and now seeing Christ-God face to face. You too.
What happened at the House of Loving Kindness? The Lord has the same plan for you!Acts 9:32 -42, John 5: 1 - 5
Don't let your prayers be little and timid but straight from your heart.2 Corinthians 6: 16 - 18, 7:1Matthew 15: 21 - 28
Wars, cruelty, pandemic, natural disasters, even inflation. So what does the Lord say? "You ain't seen nothing yet!"
The Apostles came to the Lord to ask Him to solve the situation. He turned the problem back on them!
Matthew 14: 14 -22
Rejoice? The Archangel tells Mary that God intends to turn her life upside down and inside out! Then he goes away! Rejoice?
Faith, prayer and fasting each strengthen the other two ... but don't expect it to be painless.
Fr. Philip Hall says that with evangelism, sometimes you just have to get on with it (no matter how sceptical your audience).
It is amazing how creative people can be: did you know that you can transform yourself into a goat or a sheep? Matthew 25: 31-46
The good townsfolk of Jericho, the Pharisee (who did everything just right) and now the obedient and hardworking older brother - none of them went to the party. Ooops!
On the Sunday when in Britain we remember those killed annd brutalised in war we look to see what God's Kingdom is like.
What if you had everything but no one could remember your name? What is you had nothing but God knows who you are? One day we will each have nothing.
The Apostle Peter witnessed the Transfiguration and wanted it to stay there but God the Father had other plans.
Those blind men knew how to use their lungs and they certainly knew how to pray.
Matthew 9: 27-35
In the old prison in Lincoln, England there is a notice which says "The Wages of Sin is Death!" That is much less than half the story.
St. Luke shows us that the Lord is real - not imagined - flesh and bones, the disciples can handle him and he can eat with them. Acts 1: 1-12, Luke 24: 36-53.
Make the Resurrection your own. The Apostle Thomas wanted to put his hand into Christ - you must put Him on.
The Paralysed man's friends didn't hesitate to bring him to the feet of the Saviour. Don't hesitate to bring yourself to Him either. Don't neglect so great a salvation.
The Lord invites you to follow Him and the Church invites you to come and see, and if you are going to accept these invitations then you have to get moving.
St. Matthew says "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” " (Mtt 4:17) This word "Repent" is in the present tense and is a command so the Lord is continuing to tell us all to repent (for the kingdom of heaven is still near).
St. Luke (2: 20-21, 40-52) treats us to a meditation on the two natures of Jesus Christ: Fully God - Fully Man. So does St. Paul writing to the Colossians (2: 8-12). Why? They both want you to know that your Salvation is found entirely in Him.
Please notice how positive this message is (not like so many so called "Evangelists" of the modern era). Repent and then get on and do some good works in Christ Jesus.
The Sower scattered his seeds to every part of the field—and I am every part of that field.
How great is your faith? Smaller than a poppy seed? Then bring the problem to The Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ and He and you can move all sorts of mountains together. Matthew 17: 14-23 The healing of the moon-stuck boy.
In both of these Gospels St. Peter gets out of the boat. Would you? Matthew 14:22-34, John 21:7
The problem was thousands of hungry people. The disciples brought them to the Lord in prayer and had their own solution which was: "Send them away!" However, the Lord had other ideas. Matthew 14: 14-22
Did Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ stop and turn round and attend to the two blind men? Did He open His door to them? No He did not! Did they get disheartened? No they did not! Did they give up? No they did not! Did the Lord tell them to spread the good news? No He did not! Were they obedient? No they were not! What about you? Are you persistent? (You're not?) Do you tell others the good news? (You don't?) Tut. Matthew 9: 27-35
St. Paul tells us to make use of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and in the Gospel we see an example of this in action. It is obvious though that there gifts are NOT for you! Matthew 9:1-8, Romans 12: 6-14
When you compare the account of the healing of the two men with demons, with the accounts on either side of this story, you will notice two very different attitudes of those who came before the Lord in their attitude to prayer for others. Where do you fall? Matthew 8:28 - 9:1
The Roman Centurion was quite right to be hesitant about asking the Lord to visit his house.
St. Paul called together the leaders of the Churches and warned them of the wolves to come. He reminded them that his service was at his own cost. The wolves in the Church are still there and those who make use of the Church for their own benefit are still amongst us - make sure that you are not one of them.
See what happens when we are within the Apostolic Tradition! Aeneas raised from his bed, Tabitha from her death bed, the Paralysed man of 38 years raised to his feet. Christ is risen!
St. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus go to Pilate and ask for the Bloodied Body of the Lord.
Half way! Keep on taking up you Cross and following. Third Sunday in Lent. At this stage we can begin to get tired. Mark's Gospel encourages you to keep on taking up your Cross and following Christ. Be encouraged!
St. Paul reminds us to concentrate on those things that will last for ever. Mark's Gospel today shows us that we have to work hard to come to the feet of Christ. God bless your Lenten struggle! Hebrews 1:10-2;3, Mark 2:1-12
It's only the first Sunday in Great Lent! Finding the going tough so far? Hmmm. There's a bit more to come!
The father in this parable suffers a 50% loss but when God lost you both He and you suffered 100% loss.
Two people entered the Temple. One said "What a lucky God you are to have a follower like me!" The other said "What a lucky man I am to have a God like You!"
2 Corinthians 6:16 -7:1 & Matthew 15:21-28 She was possibly an idol worshipper but her persistence, love and humility and faith meant that her prayer was heard. The Apostles wanted her to go away.
God gives each of us an immense amount to work with. Our task is to double the amount by trading and taking risks with it, by making use of Grace for the Kingdom of God. The stakes are high.
The Colossians became very proud of the new and smart teaching they had and the Lepers became overwhelmed by the health they suddenly enjoyed. Both groups forgot to give thanks except the heretic Samaritan and St.Paul whom the Colossians were trying to ignore!
Both St. Paul and John the Forerunner and Baptist look forward to a time when their own ministries and lives will be over. They laboured to produce a foundation on which the next in line would continue to build. Just like us.
So the Church is persecuted? Nothing new there - Herod and St. Paul both did their best to rid the world of the faith. Today the same happens but the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church though it grows smaller in some places and greater in others. Maintain Faith, never retaliate, love the enemies, pray for them.
So whilst the Magi saw a star and the shepherds saw angels what did most people see? Nothing! Just like now! So be an angel, become a star.
The Lord speaks of a farmer who spreads his seeds all over his farm - on good and bad soil! We too need to spread His Word over the entire human population - regardless of where we might think the harvest is to be reaped.
You want a spiritual experience? You want to show off about it? Listen to what St. Paul says...
Watch, be steadfast in the Faith, be brave, be strong. Let everything you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 So what is at the heart of the Gospel? Did the Resurrection happen?
The Laity of God is called to be the Royal Priesthood. So how might that be lived out? You need to become a world transformer!
After Jesus Christ had had the 5000 men plus women and childen (a tenth of the population!) He dismissed the crowd and told the disciple to go away. He then climbed the mountain and prayed. Alone and away from worldly cares ... you too need a place to pray and to pray and to listen.
The Two Demonaics were healed by the Lord but the local people asked the Lord to depart from their region. You also maight be very tempted to ask the Lord to leave you as His presence will cause real disruption in your life too.
We can be enslaved by a multitude of things, expectations and the evil one himself. Alternatively we can be slaves of Christ and receive the freedom that comes with that. "I call you my friends" He said.
The Man Born Blind is able to sum up his bit of the Gospel in twelve words. What about you? What is the Gospel to you?
St. Photini was going about her daily business - probably things had been going wrong (otherwise why would she be there at such a hot time of day?). What happened next was that her life was completely changed. You too: allow for the Lord to come to you in your everyday life - the result will be surprising!
100lbs of spices - a glorious waste of spices! Your prayer and service - a glorious "waste" also but you'll find yourself experiencing the Resurrection!
Apostle Peter preached the words of this Life and Apostle John wrote that you may have Life...
Great and Holy Week starts! Find time to serve, to listen to the Lord and to pour out the oil of your purity on His feet.
The Apostles James and John came with an outrageous question! It's as if they'd learned nothing at all from their time with the Lord. So He sets abouut teaching them again...cas
The Holy Spirit distributes gifts to the members of the Church to equip us all for the task the Lord has set us.
The Apostle Paul tells Timothy to fulfil his ministry (his "diaconia"). That ministry was as an evangelist - someone who carries the Good News. All the Royal Priesthood of Christ are called to fulfil their diaconia too: by living the Christian life you also become an evangelist and will receive your due award.
What the heros and forefathers of the Old Testament could only dream about is yours for the having. So Come and See!
The Lord invites us to come to and be healed, forgiven and made perfect as on the first Sabbath.
St. Paul teaches us that Christians are God the Father's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
As a Christian you should expect to be mocked or to be the object of disgust but the Lord will heal you. You'll not be the first to be ridiculed!
The Faith of Jesus Christ. You might not have anything else but if you dont have that you have nothing.
The Lord calls us all to work alongside Him in the Gospel. Even the most unlikely people are called. So what about you?
Scatter the "seeds" the Lord has provided so you may increase the harvest of your righteousness.
The Grace of God! The very presence of God Himself! Together we work with the Lord - Him filling us with Grace and us doing his work and being filled with Grace as a result.
The Apostle Paul tells us about justification by faith of Christ who is always loving and giving himself for us.
The Apostle Paul points out that the Cross has brought "New Creation" to all who walk in the new rule of the Cross of Christ. This affects every part of your life so that now you can take garden walks with the Saviour.
But with God all things are possible—including selling, getting rid of, or putting to one side, all that prevents you following the Saviour.
So what is the Kingdom of heaven like? Do you belong to it? Well, one of the ways you can tell is this: do you forgive others? Do you give up your rights to things? Yes? Yes? Well, that is what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.
Fr. Philip reflections on the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"... you will do well if you take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day breaks, and the Morning Star dawns forth in your hearts."
The Saviour commmands us to feed the multitude but when we look at our own abilities and resources they are not up to the task. What can we do?
When the Lord healed the blind men's bodies and the dumb man's soul, He showed us that both are vital.
Just as the moon shines with the light of the sun so you should shine with the Light of the Son.
But what about the Gift of God? Why work so hard for death when you can have eternal life? The Centurion knew this when he came to the Saviour asking for his servant to be healed.
When the Lord calls you—respond quickly and fully—He might not ask you again! Live the faith to the full, attach yourself to Christ and become a fisher of men.
In this inaugural episode, Fr. Philip says that Saint Paul talks about faith as an endurance race where the Lord is the starter and finisher of the race.
"Saint Cosmas came from Bulgaria where his devout parents provided him with a good education in Slavonic and Greek. They wanted him to marry but he was drawn by the love of Christ and, unknown to them, made his way to the Holy Mountain of Athos to become a monk at the Bulgarian monastery of Zographou. On the feast of the Annunciation at the Monastery of Vatopedi, he saw a woman among those serving in the Church and in the refectory, and he was grieved at first to observe this breach of the monastic rule, but overjoyed when he realized that it was the Mother of God who had appeared to him in this way. "He was clothed in the holy angelic Habit and, after some time, was ordained priest. One day, as he was praying before the icon of the Mother of God, asking her with tears how to achieve his salvation, he heard a voice saying, 'Let my servant withdraw to the desert outside the monastery.' He was obedient to the will of God and, with the blessing of his Abbot, lived in silence from then on. Some years later, he was found worthy of the grace of discernment of thoughts and of beholding things happening elsewhere, as well as of other spiritual gifts. In the course of many years, he was the spiritual helper of a great number of monks. At the end of his life, Christ appeared to him saying that he would shortly have a great trial to endure from the Devil. Indeed, the prince of demons made his appearance next day with a host of his servants bewailing and bemoaning their inability to annihilate their great enemy Cosmas, who had held them in check for so long and gained possession, by his virtue, of the throne in Heaven that had once been Lucifer's. Taking a heavy stick, the demon beat the Saint so violently that he left him half-dead. As God allowed, Saint Cosmas died in peace two days later, on 22 September 1323. When the fathers came from the monastery to bury him, the wild animals gathered round. They kept silent until the end of the service, but howled unusually loud as his body was covered with earth. Then having paid their respects, they made off into the wilderness. Forty days later, the monks came to take up the body of Saint Cosmas and translate it to the monastery, but it was no longer in the grave. Where it now is God alone knows." (Synaxarion)