Commentary on the Daily Lectionary of the Orthodox Church
Author: Fr. Basil
Now retired, the Very Rev. Archpriest Basil Ross Aden has served as a parish priest, parish pastor, diocesan mission director, writer, and college teacher of New Testament and Religious Studies. He has a Master of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the University of Chicago and has published daily devotional and stewardship materials as well as a college textbook on Religious Studies. He also has published papers and/or lectured on the Orthodox perspective on Luther and the Reformation. religious freedom, current issues of religion and society, and St. John Chrysostom. He is married to Sandra and has two sons and three grandchildren. He is still active as a priest as well as a writer of articles and materials on Orthodoxy and topics of faith and life today.
The word of the day is “yoked.” Despite our intentions, others influence us. Relationships involve “give and take.” Thus, if we engage with others who have different beliefs, values, attitudes, and habits than we have, we must be on guard lest their outlook affect us, even unwittingly. On the other hand, it may be that by our association with them, we might find that we can influence them. Today in our reading of 2 Corinthians 6:11-16, St. Paul admonishes his congregation, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (vs. 11). Paul’s directive may be  unpopular in our “pluralistic society.” Yet, he had a point for us to consider as we seek to live faithfully amid the diversity of peoples in today’s…
The word of the day is “new.” We live in an old world whose days and months, and years keep spinning around like a top. But like the child’s toy, the earth’s rotations will eventually come to an end. Today in 2 Corinthians 5:15-21, St. Paul speaks of the results of Christ’s death and resurrection. He writes, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (vs. 17). The Greek word for creation is derived from the word “kosmos” (Strong’s #2889, 144). This familiar word refers to the harmonious order of the universe that God has fashioned. In this sense, the apostle writes that those who are “in Christ” are fresh creations…
The word of the day is “all.” Many say that Christ died “for me.” But that thought does not necessarily motivate those are “saved” to seek salvation for anyone else. It might lead the “saved” to be content that the promise of eternal life is “for me.” But in our reading of 2 Corinthians 5:10-15, Paul writes, “We judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all (OSB vs. 14-15). Today we examine Paul’s motives for his zealous preaching of the Gospel. And we find that its root is his absolute certainty of the divine judgment to come and of the love of God who desires the salvation of all. We then will ask how we might attain this same conviction.…
The word of the day is “confirm.” When the apostle Thomas surrendered his doubt and confessed the Risen Christ to be his Lord and God, Jesus responded, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This blessing from the Risen Christ comes to us who believe through the Word of His disciples (John 17:12) who were eyewitnesses to the events of our salvation (Luke 1:2 and 2 Peter 1:16). Today in 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, St. Paul assures the Corinthians that Christ “will confirm you to the end, so that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (OSB vs. 6). Today we will consider what…
The word of the day is “inner.”  In the rocky stretches of our spiritual journey, we need a reason for hope. Otherwise, we will give up in despair. In today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, Paul explains why he does not lose heart. Just before this passage, the apostle recounts how he is persevering through countless ordeals. Now the apostle writes that he is “hard-pressed on either side, yet not crushed; …perplexed but not in despair; …persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9). But then he discloses the secret of his endurance. He writes, “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day (OSB vs. 16). Today, we will describe our…
The word of the day is “glory.” The root of the Greek word “glorious” involves opinion and estimation (Strong’s #1391, 71-21). Thus, what is glorious is esteemed to be exceptionally honorable and worthy of a good opinion. What is “glorious” to us today? The Grand Canyon in Arizona? Niagara Falls in New York and Ontario? The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.? Or is it Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople)? St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome? Or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem? Most Glorious in All History When we gaze at the beauty of any of these, we cannot help but be overtaken with a sense of awe, admiration, and wonder. Yet in today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 3:4-11,…
The word of the day is “triumph.” Often, we do not understand the Almighty’s reason for permitting the trials that we face. Amid our struggles, it is hard to give thanks for the goodness of God. Yet when we look back at our troubles, we often see that God was working in the ordeals that seemed without explanation at the time. The Tone of Victory Replaces the Mood of Anguish Today our reading of 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3 replaced the previous mood of anguish in Paul’s letter to Corinth with a tone of victory. The apostle had received some good news. He had sent his co-worker Titus to check on the situation in Corinth (vs. 12) while he took advantage of an “open door”…
The word of the day is “sake.”  Which of these would we choose: worldly wisdom, strength, honor, and riches or their opposite: foolishness, weakness, dishonor, and poverty?  Today in our reading of 1 Corinthians 4:9-16, Paul speaks about the hardships that he and the other apostles are enduring for the sake of Christ.  He contrasts these adversities with the boasting of the Corinthians that they are wise, rich, and honored. The apostle’s defense of his ministry puts a question before us. We can either be wise or fools; strong or weak; distinguished or dishonored, rich or “hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, beaten, and homeless” (vs. 11). Blessed Are the Reviled and Persecuted for Christ’s Sake We would probably choose the good things…
The word of the day is “strive.” Why aren’t our individual prayers sufficient? After all, the Book of James says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (OSB James, 5:16). If so, then why should James also say that we should pray for one another (James 5:16)? Today in Romans 15:30-33, Paul writes, “Strive together with me in prayers to God for me” (vs. 30). Today we explore why Paul appeals for fervent prayers for him. And we learn the added power and benefits of praying for one another. Paul’s Concerns Require Striving Together in Prayer In today’s reading, Paul closes his letter to the Romans. The apostle has finished his collection of the offering for the poor…
The word of the day is “Yes.”  When our faith is challenged, we are tempted to become unsure of the promises of God’s Word and doubtful of its preaching. Today in  2 Corinthians 1:12-20, Paul defends himself from the charge that he vacillates. He says, “Yes” sometimes, and “No” other times, and “Yes and No” most times (vs. 18).  Today we will find that Paul admits his change of plans. But he insists that his motives, methods, and message are constant.  By his constancy, Paul seeks to reflect the faithfulness of God whose “steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 118) and whose Word is everlasting (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 24:35).  We learn from our reading that we can rely on the consistency of…