Last Sunday we read the parable of the sower. As I mentioned in my sermon, this parable is Jesus’s response to the question of why more Judeans weren’t becoming Christians. To them, it seemed like there were too many Gentiles.
Read more
The Gospel and the Outsider
Become a Sower
Sunday of the 7th Ecumenical Council The parable of the sower answers a critical question for many Christians: why have so many people rejected the gospel? As we find out, the sower represents Christ, or anyone who is teaching the
Read moreThe Widow as the Shepherd
3rd Sunday of Luke This Gospel passage finds Jesus entering the town of Nain. Just as he arrives, he comes across a funeral possession for a young man who has left behind his widowed mother. Moved with compassion by the
Read morePaying It Forward with Grace
2nd Sunday of Luke Today’s gospel lesson comes at the end of the “Sermon on the Plain.” The first line is one of the most famous verses from scripture, the Golden Rule—“Do to others as you would have them do
Read moreFrom Fisherman to Fisher of Men
First Sunday of Luke In today’s Gospel lesson, we see the “three pillars” (Simon, James, and John) in an unflattering light. Even though they hadn’t caught anything, Jesus finds them cleaning their nets. They should have been hard at work
Read moreMary, the Ever-Virgin?
Recently, a friend e-mailed me and asked if Orthodox Christians believe that Mary was “perpetually a virgin.” The short answer is, yes! The long answer is a bit more complex. I’ve pasted my response below, which I hope you can
Read moreEmbracing the Shameful Cross
Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross In today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus says that if someone wants to follow him, that person must forget themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. The cross, at the time of Jesus, was
Read moreGazing Upon the Snake
Sunday Before the Feast of the Holy Cross In today’s gospel reading, Jesus references an event that occurred after the Exodus (Numbers 21:5-8). The Hebrews, having been freed from Egypt, now wander in the desert on their way to the
Read moreWhose Side Is God On?
Beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year Today is the beginning of the Church New Year and so we are reminded of the “Year of the Lord’s favor,” which is to bring good news to the poor, proclaim the release of
Read moreThe Lunatic and Faith
10th Sunday of Matthew Last week, we saw Peter fail his “test of faith.” This week, we see the disciples fail. A “moon-struck” man is brought to Jesus only because the disciples couldn’t heal him. By a word, Jesus heals
Read more