Teach Me Thy Statutes

During Lent we will be re-running some of our most popular episodes. This week is a re-run of Week 28, in which we discuss why John 1 is read at Pascha rather than an account of the Resurrection. Fr Aaron connected the beginning of this Gospel to the reading from Matthew 28 at the Vesperal Liturgy prior to the Paschal Liturgy that concludes with “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the ag...

During Lent we will be re-running some of our most popular episodes. This week is a re-run of Week 49, in which we examined the role of parables in Scripture. We began by stressing the importance of viewing the entirety of Scripture as parable, as well as the value of parables as guiding principles in our lives, since we are wired to better understand moral and spiritual lessons when they are told...

Right before we begin the Lenten fasting season, the Orthodox Church appoints a reading from St Paul that begins: "Brethren, food does not commend us to God." We discuss why this reading is selected at the beginning of the fasting season and discuss the true nature of biblical fasting.

In analyzing the parable of the Prodigal Son, Fr Aaron argues that most of us should identify more with the faithful son. After explaining why this is the case, we discussed the practical implications of why we are still in need of repentance, even if that repentance is for different reasons than the prodigal son.

The parable of the Publican & Pharisee is appointed at a pivotal time in the Orthodox Church. By discussing the historical reputation of each of these characters and the parable itself, we highlight how Jesus' teaching prepares us for Great Lent. Furthermore, the parable teaches us about what God most desires, which is not that we are "moral" people, but that we are first and foremost humble,...

The Orthodox Church today celebrates the great feast of The Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. The feast, on the 40th day of Christmas, commemorates Christ being presented on the 40th day at the Temple, according to the Mosaic Law. We discuss the significance of this and the words of both Simeon and Anna based on Luke's Gospel.

We discuss St Paul's reference to himself as "chief among sinners," and how we each confess ourselves to be not only sinners, but the "chief" among them. How can this be? Why is it necessary? By understanding a couple of fundamental biblical propositions, we learn how viewing ourselves as chief among sinners is healthy and freeing, leading us to multiply our Lord's mercy.

In discussing Hebrews 13:7-16, we noted the importance of Jesus' teaching being of eternal value. We further highlighted how the traditions and practices under the Old Covenant parallel what happened in Jesus' life, with an emphasis on its implications for how we should live our own lives. Finally, we discussed the meaning of the term "sacrifice of praise" used in this passage and in the Divine Li...

In discussing our reading from John 20, we highlighted the importance of understanding Scripture as literature, and clarified this does not imply that Scripture is not divinely-inspired. We then discussed why we should want to relate to "the beloved disciple," John, and his reaction at the empty tomb. We concluded by highlighting the implication of Jesus' "napkin" at the tomb being "rolled up."

Based on our reading from 1 Timothy 3:1-13, we discussed the qualifications of the clergy, and how their primarily role is as "overseers," who themselves have no authority unless they maintain fidelity to the Gospel teaching. Accordingly, the clergy should function as St Paul did, as the "economos," the chief slave. While functioning as an overseer or economos, the clergy should remember they must...

Jesus said: "By your endurance you will gain your lives." We discussed the importance and value of endurance in the Christian spiritual life. We also highlighted what Jesus meant when He told His disciples they would "bear testimony" to Him, and that at that time He would "give [them] a mouth to speak."

With most Americans celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow, we discussed the central theme of thanksgiving as part of the Divine Liturgy. We then discussed the need for Christians to avoid self-righteousness through our good deeds by acknowledging that those good deeds are done in response to God’s goodness and mercy towards us. In this way we can show our thankfulness for God and spread that same grac...

Today we discuss three different men who wish to follow Jesus and Jesus' comments to them. We note the similarities to the Parable of the Great Supper, and how the excuses these men had were actually, under almost all circumstances, reasonable excuses. However, in the case of following Him, Jesus is stressing that nothing--no excuse--should come between us and our decision to follow in His path.

“Everyone to whom much is given, of him will much be required.” We discussed this passage from two angles. First, those who have been given much in this life have a great responsibility to serve and uplift others. But if we frame this idea in the context of mercy, we can see that if we have been given great mercy, we must extend this to others as well. We concluded by discussing Jesus noting He ca...

We discuss the implications of what it means to "have been granted for the sake of Christ to suffer." In short, if we never suffer, then we do not have the opportunity to examine ourselves to see if we are truly following Christ. Suffering presents an opportunity for us to learn about ourselves, to see in what areas we need to improve and to correct ourselves before the final judgement.

In today’s episode we discussed the significance of the seventy apostles that are mentioned explicitly in Luke’s Gospel and how they also relate to the twelve disciples. Fr Aaron explained that they symbolize the dual mission of Jesus: the mission to the Jews, as well as to the Gentiles. We then discussed Jesus emphasis that we cannot allow power to corrupt us, but rather must use it for the benef...

We discuss the sharp contrasts between God's commandments as taught by Jesus and our natural human instincts. We explored how the acts of initiation (i.e. circumcision and baptism) into God's covenant community symbolize this dichotomy, and the practical implications for daily living.

We discuss several key aspects of the sermon on the plain, including the deeper meaning of the location of the sermon, the use of the term Son of Man, and the number (four) of blessings and woes. We then turned to the anti-imperial nature of the blessings and woes given by Jesus, viewing them in light of that general anti-imperial theme found throughout Scripture.

Jesus gave the "Great Commission" to go forth and baptize the nations from Galilee. Today, we discussed why it is significant that Jesus gave this command in the same place where He started His public ministry. In addition, we spoke of the importance of the second half of that commandment, to "teach" and "observe" all Jesus commanded.

Today’s episode briefly recounted I Corinthians, in which Paul attempts to deal with the notion that salvation has been fully received without recognizing that repentance is essential and that the judgment still lies ahead. In II Corinthians we find Paul commending the church in Corinth for listening and exhibiting some signs of repentance. We then discussed what distinguishes worldly grief from g...

Today we discuss Jesus' reading in the synagogue from Isaiah, proclaiming "the acceptable year of the Lord." We highlighted how this saying relates to the Year of Jubilee, and then delved into the meaning and application of the Jubilee. Specifically, we discussed how the Year of Jubilee is a "re-setting" of society, with the land re-distributed to the original owners, debts being forgiven, and the...

We opened today’s episode with a brief background on the epistle to the Philippians and how Paul likely viewed it as his last will/testament, and how Philippi served as a strategic outpost whereby he could spread the Gospel message throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. In addition, we discussed the significance of the “hymn of the Philippians” and how Jesus was entirely unlike any prior kings or...

Today’s parable led us into a discussion surrounding fairness and justice. We are taught from an early age about the importance of these concepts, and often these ideas of fairness and justice are good for society. But when considering the working out of our salvation, these concepts can become problematic. Here we see that God is not simply a just God, but that He exceeds justice and emphasizes h...

We began our discussion today by reviewing the events of the three chapters leading up to Jesus’ statement about His only sign being the sign of Jonah. This review helps us understand the full meaning of Jesus’ statement. In the end, we learn that not only is Jesus referring to His death and third-day resurrection; but like Jonah who came forth from the whale to preach God’s message of repentance...

Today’s reading from Mark 5 led us into a discussion of faith and science and how a Christian should understand the relationship between the two. While the relationship between faith and science has changed over the centuries, in more recent history the pendulum continues to swing. Fr Aaron explained that he views the current state of this debate as moving back toward a recognition by academics th...