Teach Me Thy Statutes

In John 12, Jesus begins the final week of His earthly ministry, with "Greeks" (Gentiles) coming to hear Him. We discuss what this signifies and how it connects to Jesus statement that when He is lifted up, He will draw all men to Himself. We also discuss the notion of Jesus comparing His death to a grain of wheat. 

We discuss the events that led to one of the first deacons, Philip, baptizing many of the Samaritans, and why Peter and John later came to lay hands on them for the reception of the Holy Spirit. We contemplated the devastation and confusion of the disciples following Jesus' crucifixion, and concluded with an explanation of how this distinction between baptism and the laying on of hands applies to the Church today. 

We discuss why John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus, questioning if Jesus was the Messiah. Through that exchange, we come to realize how John can be called "the greatest born of women," yet least in the kingdom of heaven. We conclude by discussing why Jesus is talking about taking the kingdom by violence. 

In today's episode, we discussed teachings from the Gospel of Luke, focusing on the significance of where one places their treasure and the importance of being prepared for judgment. Fr Aaron shared an example from his personal experience that helped drive home the poignance of Jesus' teaching: “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” 

We discuss Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, in which she recognized Him only when He called her by name. What does that mean and why did she call Him "Rabboni?" Why did Jesus tell her not to hold on to Him? 

Today's discussion centered around why Paul made such a big deal about the issue of circumcision among Gentile Christians. Ultimately, Paul's concern was with interpreting Scripture/the Old Testament correctly. We concluded by talking about practical implications from Paul's argument in this day and age. 

We discuss the nature of spiritual warfare and Paul's metaphor of putting on the whole armor of God, with an emphasis on how the spiritual warfare is fought not so much between dueling forces of good and evil per se, but against our own innate biological impulses. 

To provide context for the famous verse John 3:16, we discussed the complex person of Nicodemus, one who accepted Jesus, yet was still initially ashamed to publicly proclaim Jesus' teaching. We also learn why Nicodemus was ashamed of Jesus' teaching of being born again, and what that teaching means. 

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul focuses on the resurrection of Christ. We discuss why Paul focuses on the resurrection and why it is so important to Paul to recognize Jesus as the "firstfruits" of the resurrection. 

For the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the Orthodox Church appoints a reading from Luke that references a different Mary. Why does the Church choose that reading? What does the reading mean? And what is the significance of Mary's witness to Christ? 

The parable of the wheat and tares (or as it is translated in our reading, the weeds) is a key parable that corresponds to the parable of the seed. We discuss its importance in today's episode. 

We begin today by discussing the half-shekel tax the Pharisees wanted Jesus to pay, and the significance of Jesus interaction with His disciples around this episode. We concluded by discussing the implications of the parable of the wheat and tares (weeds), one of the most important parables found in the Gospels. 

Today we examine Matthew 5 and compare it to Matthew 6, discussing the apparent contradiction. Specifically, in Matthew 5, Jesus tells His disciples to let their light shine before men so that they may see their good deeds. Yet, just one chapter later Jesus tells them to pray, fast, and give alms in secret. What are we to make of this? We reconcile these seeming contradictions in today's episode. 

In John's Gospel, Jesus talks about Himself as both Shepherd and Door. We discuss what each of these allusions means, while also contrasting Jesus with the false shepherd Pharisees, those who are condemned in Ezekiel. 

We discuss how the Bible, generally, and today's passage from Proverbs, specifically, challenges the worldview of its time--seeking "sophia" (wisdom) through philosophical pursuits. Proverbs teaches us that true wisdom is found in following God's commandments. We specifically mention a passage from today's reading that deals with controlling anger. 

We discuss the scriptural reason why the cross is our focus on the 3rd Sunday and 4th week of Lent. We conclude by focusing on the true meaning of "taking up your cross," explaining why a common understanding of this principle is not accurate. 

We discuss the story of Cain and Abel and how it teaches one of the most important lessons of Lent: becoming antipossesive. 

We discuss the first reading of Lent, Genesis 1:1-13, and how this text relates to what we as Orthodox Christians do during Lent, and how it also connects with our celebration of Pascha. 

With Lent approaching, we now have readings from the Old Testament appointed. Today, we discuss the book of Joel and how it prepares us for the ultimate purpose of the Lenten season, which is to remind us of the upcoming Judgment. 

We began our discussion on Peter's epistles and their unique audience of the Jewish Diaspora, highlighting how Peter shares the same message as Paul, but with slightly varying language due to the different audience. We concluded by focusing on Peter's admonition to husbands and wives, highlighting the historical context. 

In discussing James, we are confronted with a teaching that some believe contradicts Paul's teaching on salvation. In highlighting a comprehensive biblical understand of grace and faith, we show how James and Paul's teachings are actually complementary. 

We discuss our innate tendency to judge others, but how the Bible, generally, and St James in his epistle, specifically, call us to overcome this sin. We talk about practical ways of changing our thoughts so we are not as inclined to be judgmental. 

Fr Aaron provides an overview of the Epistle to the Hebrews, paying special attention to the difficulties faced by early Jewish Christians in maintaining their radical faith as a minority group. We also discussed how we might gain spiritual endurance of the type described in the Epistle. 

We discuss the implications of Jesus telling us that he who loves parents or spouses or children more than Him are not worthy of Him. What does that mean and how should it be applied? Are the two often synonymous, meaning loving our family is showing love for God? We conclude with a brief discussion on the meaning of the first will be last and the last will be first. 

We discuss why Jesus seemingly pesters Simon Peter about whether he loves Him. We also emphasize the reason Simon is referred to in this passage as the "son of Jonah." Finally, we discuss John's statement that "Jesus did many other things not written in this book." 

In discussing 2 Corinthians 8, we referred back to Paul's collection from the Corinthian church for the church in Jerusalem. Fr Aaron highlighted the historical circumstances that led to Paul taking this collection, but also taught us about how this collection was strategic by St Paul to help unite the Jews and the Gentiles. 

In highlighting the biblical account of the Transfiguration, Fr Aaron showed how that event relates both in Scripture and in the Orthodox Church tradition to Christ's work on the Cross. Further, we discussed the significance of Transfiguration occurring during the Feast of Booths, or the Feast of Tabernacles. Ultimately, Jesus' Transfiguration during this feast follows the biblical tradition, which gives the Tabernacle the "upper hand" over the Temple. 

We discussed the dangers of placing the traditions of men above the Scriptures. Tradition is important, but we must ensure that nothing we do contradicts Scripture, nor serves to make us an exclusive community that prevents sinners from participating. Finally, we discussed how paying only lip service to God is among the chief sins a person can commit. 

In discussing the parable of the sower, we recognized it should rather be referred to as the parable of the seed. For the emphasis of the parable is on the seed—spreading spreading the Gospel message in word and in deed. After all, even if there is good soil, it can bear no fruit without the seed. We further discussed how we should not be discouraged when the seed does not grow or take root, for it is God alone who gives the growth. Our job is to plant the seed. 

We discuss the similarities between II Corinthians, Galatians, and the Acts of the Apostles as it relates to Paul and his teaching. Paul's experience, as described in II Corinthians, put him on parallel to the other apostles who were “eyewitnesses” of Jesus' public ministry. We concluded by discussing the “thorn in the flesh” of Paul, highlighting the most important aspect of that story, Christ's response to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Today we examined the book of Jude. Fr Aaron discussed the similarities between Jude and the epistles of Peter and James. He showed how these epistles served as a corrective to those who misunderstood Paul's arguments about grace and freedom. Specifically, Jude notes that being free from the Mosaic Law does not mean we are lawless, but rather are freed from that Law to be enslaved to the Law of Christ, which itself brings about true freedom. 

In discussing Jesus' teaching that we will be judged using the same measure with which we judge others, we touched on the importance of understanding Jesus' teachings literally. For in the judgment, Jesus will not ask whether we "believe" certain biblical events happened, but rather if we lived by the lessons they taught. We concluded by discussing how we can properly help others who have a "speck" in their eye, once we have removed the "plank" from our own. 

We began the episode by explaining how children were viewed as an underclass in the 1st century Roman Empire. Jesus, therefore, makes the point that children are humble, as they do not put their trust in themselves, but rely on the help of others, just as we should rely on God and be careful not to put our trust in our own righteousness. We concluded by discussing Jesus' parable of the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to seek out the one who was lost. There, we highlighted how Jesus calls upon us to transcend our biological impulses to show forth the image of God in which we were created. 

We discussed how Jesus challenged the “insiders,” those “who believed in Him,” which is consistent with the entire Bible. This approach is different than what we so often hear today from Christians who are instead condemning those outside the Christian community. Fr Aaron stressed that we are only able to impact those outside of the community if we are willing to confront our own deficiencies and get our house in order. We concluded with a discussion of what it means to be a slave to sin and a practical understanding of how we can overcome that slavery. 

We discussed the conversion of St Paul, previously named Saul, as told in Acts 9. We focused on the meaning of Saul's name change to Paul and its implication, which is underscored by the meaning of Ananias's name and function in the story. In short, Saul's conversion to Christianity and his name change to Paul encapsulates Paul's message to the nations, which is an invitation to set aside one's own righteousness to rely upon the righteousness of God found by grace through faith. 

We began by discussing the tragic tendency to “individualize” the Gospel, missing not only the fact that the Scriptures were written to a community, but also neglecting to share God's forgiveness and mercy to others as part of our own salvation. We then moved on to show how this understanding is connected to Jesus giving His disciples the power to forgive sins, as well as the power to retain them. Finally, we stressed the importance of recognizing Jesus as the Christ in His crucifixion. 

Today we are republishing Episode 109, "Food Does Not Commend Us To God." 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. 

Today's episode centered around the readings appointed just prior to the beginning of Great Lent on the Saturday of Souls and the Sunday of the Last Judgment. Fr Aaron showed how the placement of these texts within the liturgical cycle emphasize the importance of returning to the teachings of Jesus during the season of Lent. Moreover, Fr Aaron underscored this teaching is focused on how we should behave, rather than what we believe. 

We began today by examining the word translated as “lawful” (from the passage “all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.”). Through this we see St. Paul demonstrating that while all humans have the authority to choose evil, we should instead use that power to submit to the way of Christ, recognizing that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. 

In lieu of a regular episode, this week we are offering Fr Aaron's sermon from Sunday, February 5, the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee in the Orthodox Church. 

In discussing the story of Zacchaeus, Fr Aaron pointed out the double strike against him as a Jewish tax collector, making him the worst kind of traitor among his fellow Jews. We then analyzed the story in light of Jesus' teaching elsewhere on the difficulty of the rich man entering His kingdom. Zacchaeus, although rich, was ultimately commended by Jesus because he accepted the grace offered him and multiplied it by showing mercy on the poor and restoring to those from whom he had stolen.

We began by discuss the significance of the Samaritan being the one leper returning to give thanks to Jesus for being healed. We then discussed how all ten lepers demonstrated faith in Jesus, even though the nine neglected to show thanks. We concluded by noting the implication of this; namely, that God heals us completely independently of our own “worthiness,” and simply because He is good.

In Jesus' refusal to answer the question of His authority posed by the Jewish authorities, Jesus shows these authorities care more about the praise of men than pursuing Scriptural truth. Fr Aaron discussed how this can also be true of today's worldly authorities, including those within the Church. We concluded by recognizing St John the Forerunner as being despised by these authorities for the same reason as Jesus was despised: he was not bound by their earthly authority or allegiant to the religious establishment.

In lieu of a regular episode, we are sharing Fr Aaron's Christmas 2022 homily. In this homily, Fr Aaron emphasizes how we celebrate the birth of the King of Peace, and how we who are called by His name can bring peace upon earth.

We discuss the readings for the Sunday before Christmas, from Hebrews 11 and Matthew 1 (the genealogy of Christ). We highlighted the similarities between the two readings, most specifically the fact that Christ is connected to a historical setting and community. Further, we noted that contrary to normal expectations of royalty, Matthew goes out of his way to point out Christ came from an impure line. As is so often the case in the Bible, this shows that God works through the weak and sinners of this world to accomplish His will.

In discussing Jesus healing on the Sabbath, Fr Aaron explained why this was such a big deal to the Jewish leaders. He also highlighted how Jesus shows that the “law of mercy” supersedes all other laws in the Bible. We concluded by discussing the Bible's systematic favoring of the weak and humble, and how this has impacted Western civilization, to the extent we often take this approach for granted.

In today's episode we began by discussing the apparent discrepancy between Jesus telling us in today's passage to let our lamp shine, but elsewhere indicating our good works should be done in secret. Fr Aaron talked about how we should not seeking attention ourselves, but should rather attract people to the Gospel teaching. He then highlighted how we show the world the Gospel message primarily via our interactions with others and not through our own asceticism or our liturgical practices.

We discuss the "Parable of the Unjust Steward." This parable often confuses readers because of the poor English translations. Fr Aaron noted the better translation of the "unjust steward" is the "steward of/to the unjust." Understood in this light, the parable makes complete sense with the rest of the New Testament and underscores how the Gospel was taken to the Gentiles/nations. While the mission to the Jews by and large failed, the Apostle Paul and others, the stewards of the unjust, found success in offering God's mercy and leniency to the nations.

In today's episode we discussed how St. Paul urges the Colossians to avoid the temptations of external rituals that lead to self-righteousness, whether they be pagan or Jewish rituals. In these rituals, we cannot add to what God has already accomplished for us through Jesus Christ. Instead, we respond with thankfulness by loving our neighbors and uplifting the weak. We concluded by discussing our need to avoid the cancer of self-righteousness, which can affect us regardless of our denomination.

Today's episode began with a discussion about Jesus' statement in Luke 12 relating to the Final Judgement. These verses follow Luke 11 in which Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees included both the Beatitudes and the Woes (the latter of which is unique to Luke's Gospel). From the Woes and Jesus' continued discussion in Luke 12, we can understand that the Final Judgement will be about what we did when others were not looking and how we treated people who were despised by those with power and influence in society, and most especially, within religious institutions. We should be welcoming to all who come to our community and demonstrate mercy and justice for the oppressed, recognizing that the Church is not a place for the self-righteous; it is a hospital for sinners.

Today we discussed how we can become a “cheerful giver.” We first highlighted the need to re-orient ourselves around the biblical teaching of appreciating God's gifts and of sharing them with others. Fr Aaron then suggested that even if we are not yet a cheerful giver, we should still give, even if somewhat begrudgingly. In this way, we allow Scripture to teach us the ideal, and over time as we move toward this ideal, we will begin to see how this way of life is superior to the way we are taught by society to continue to acquire more and more for our own benefit.