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.
Today in our reading of Genesis 3:21-4:7, we hear the lamentation of Adam and Eve who are driven out of the Garden of Eden because of their sin. This is the season to confess that we too have rejected the love, we have offended the righteousness, and we have turned our back on the goodness of our God. It is the time to wake up to the truth that like our first ancestors, we stand outside the gates of Paradise and must weep for what we have done. We should lament because of the remembrance of what we once had and lost. We should be like the People of God who wept when they remembered Zion (Psalm 137:1). Likewise, we…
The word of the day is “choose.”  What way of life do we choose? Is it the way of the pleasures of this world or the way of the promises of God?  In today’s reading of Hebrews 11:24-26, 32-12:2, we focus on Moses, who had a choice to make between his Egyptian upbringing and His lineage as a member of the People of God. The apostle writes, “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin…” (NKJV vs. 24-25). Today we will explore that choice and apply it to ourselves. Today’s reading recalls that Moses…
The word of the day is “kingdom.” As our reading of Hebrews 1:1-12 begins, the apostle argues that the angels may be magnificent. But the divine Son of God is greater than the most stupendous angel.  Through Him, the worlds were made. He was the agent of the creation who laid the foundations of the earth. In Him, the brightness of God’s glory shines.  With Him, there is no change or alteration. On Him, God has poured the anointing oil of kingship, for He came to earth to establish an everlasting Kingdom, a reign that is far superior to any rule or authority on earth. Other kingdoms rise and fall.  Other kings make laws, collect taxes, govern lands, exercise authority, appoint administrators,…
The word of the day is “give.”  We naturally think that our possessions are ours to do with as we choose.  Accordingly, if we should give some of them to those in need, well, that is our choice.  If not, that is our right as well.  But in today’s reading of Proverbs 3:19-34, we discover a striking insight. The writer of Proverbs teaches, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is the power of your hand to do so” (vs. 27). Today we will draw out the meaning of this wisdom for our stewardship of what we possess. On first reading, this verse sounds like the commonplace advice that we should pay our debts promptly.…
The word of the day is “trust.” Our society values self-reliance. We teach that maturity means that we no longer depend on others for direction or support. When we are fully grown, we should take our own path in life. However, our reading of Proverbs 3:1-18 teaches us the opposite. The wise teacher of Proverbs says, “Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight” (OAB vs. 5). Today we will consider what it means to trust the Lord for wisdom. We will also find that reliance on God’s wisdom should apply to everything we do. Our key verse (vs. 5) is a favorite of many. It is worth memorizing so that we keep it in mind…
The word of the day is “seek.” We would like to think that gaining spiritual understanding comes from the sudden unveiling of a revelation, a quick flash of insight.  But our reading of Proverbs 2:1-22 teaches us we must search diligently for wisdom. And it assures us that this earnest search will be rewarded. The author of Proverbs writes, “If you seek perception with a strong voice, and if you seek her as silver and search for her as treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (OSB vs. 4-5). What, then, is necessary for our search? Knowing What We Seek When we search for something, we need to know what we are looking for. If we…
The word of the day is “reject.” Many think that the ways of God are hidden and only known to a select few who have the time and resources to probe into them. However, in our reading of Proverbs 1:20-33, we hear wisdom herself speaking in urgent cries in every public place. Thus, we read, “Wisdom sings in the streets. She moves boldly in the squares.  She preaches on high city walls.  And sits at the gates of lords.  At the gates of a city, she boldly says…” (vs. 20-21).  Wisdom is not hiding herself but loudly proclaiming her counsel in the street.  But do we hear her when she calls to us?  Today’s reading describes several ways of closing…
The word of the day is “wisdom.” As we begin the Lenten fast in the Orthodox Church, we turn to the books of Genesis and Proverbs for our daily readings. As we seek to return to the Lord and His ways, the Book of Proverbs offers us practical wisdom to guide us. In today’s reading of Proverbs 1:1-20, we hear, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and there is a good understanding in all who practice it” (OSB Proverbs 1:7 from the Septuagint).  This principle maxim is the foundation of the book of Proverbs and is the key to understanding the counsel that the Church provides for the 40 days of Lent. The Orthodox Church uses the Septuagint (LXX), an…
The word of the day is “armor.”  In our reading of Romans 13:11-14:4 today, St. Paul announces that the Day of Christ’s return is “at hand” (vs. 12).  When that time comes, we will be clothed with the white robe of victory. We will stand before the Throne of God and glorify the God of salvation (Revelation 7:9). But though it is near, that glorious moment has not arrived.  Paul says that we must put on the armor of conflict instead of the white robe of triumph. He writes, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (vs. 12). Today, on the eve of…
The word of the day is “established.” Recall the Parable of the Sowing of the Seed. Especially, call to mind the seed that fell on rocky ground.  It sprang up energetically but soon withered in the blazing sun. It did so because its roots had no depth. We can say that it was not “established” in the Word of God.  In our reading of Romans 14:19-23 and 16:25-27, St. Paul concludes His epistle with a benediction. He writes, “May He who is able to establish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…be glory through Jesus Christ, forever” (vs. 25). Today we focus on how God establishes us in the faith and life of Christ and how we must tend…