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…
On the last Sunday before Great Lent, we recall the eviction of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Accordingly, the hymns for this day are filled with lamentation. Thus in Matins, we hear, “In times of old did Adam sit and cry in sorrow opposite the delights he had in Paradise; his hands did upon his forehead strike, as he said this: O merciful Lord, have mercy on me who have fallen” (GOA Digital Chant Stand) The Lamentations of Adam and Eve Adam and Eve shed bitter tears of anguish because they were thrown out of the Garden the Lord God had prepared for them. From now on, suffering, death, and corruption would be their inheritance and not…
The word of the day is “abound.”  Our relationships with others reflect the state of our souls.  If we have peace in our hearts, we will relate to others in peace. But if anger, worry, or confusion churn in our hearts, we will project this turmoil on others. In today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 4:6-15, Paul writes, “For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (OSB vs. 15).  Do grace and thanksgiving abound in our hearts?  Today we consider that we might become a haven of abounding grace and thanksgiving for those around us. This way, they will spread to everyone we meet and know. The Gospel in…
The word of the day is “stumble.” As we make the last preparations for our Lenten journey, we are conscious of our need for forgiveness and healing. But as we set out toward the goal of returning to the Lord, we are aware of the spiritual dangers and difficulties ahead. Therefore, we need to look to the God of grace to protect us from falling into the traps of the Evil One. In this respect, the teachings of today’s reading of Jude 1:11-25 are helpful. For instance, Jude 1:24 speaks about “Him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” (vs. 24).  Our reading suggests that we consider this Word as the divine assurance that the Lord will protect us…
The word of the day is “turn.” Today, the Orthodox observe a “little Lent” before Great Lent. No liturgy is celebrated today in the Orthodox Church, and there is no Gospel or Epistle reading but readings from Joel.  Other Christians are observing Ash Wednesday.  But whether today is a “Little Lent” or an Ash Wednesday, in our reading of Joel 2:12-26, we hear the urgent cry, “Turn to me with all your heart with fasting and wailing and with mourning…” (vs. 12). These stirring words admonish us to take the upcoming Lenten season with ultimate seriousness.  There is no time to delay. There is no more room for spiritual laxity. The prophet announces the time of grace and judgment has come…
The word of the day is “delivered.” Nowadays, the new takes precedence over the old. Most advertising claims that its products are “new,” “improved,” and “changed” for the better. Much of scholarship also offers what is novel.  It presumes that new discoveries, approaches, methods, and technologies will advance human knowledge and improve living standards. In theology, also, the quest to keep up with contemporary trends drives scholarly investigation.  At all costs, researchers and writers strive to avoid the fearful judgment that their work is irrelevant and out of touch with today’s world. Yet today, in our reading of Jude 1:1-10, we hear a warning against novelty in the teaching and understanding of the faith. The apostle writes, “I found it…
The word for today is truth. In our time, truth is under siege. Our society no longer understands it or seeks it. But in a world where accurate information is drowned in a sea of misinformation, truth is a casualty. But in our reading of 3 John 1:1-15, we hear the apostle commend the recipient of this personal letter for “walking in the truth” (vs. 3). The apostle writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (vs. 4). Truth in the New Testament Truth is a constant theme in the New Testament, but it has different connotations as an article on the vocabulary of “Truth” https://biblehub.com/topical/t/truth.htm) shows. In the synoptic Gospels, Jesus reinforces…
The words of the day are “brother and sister.”  We would expect that the reading for today would be fasting since this is Meatfare Sunday.  And true, the topic of our reading of 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2 is eating meat, the very thing that we will abstain from throughout Great Lent. However, our reading is about eating “meat offered to idols” in pagan temples. This is not our question but a question for the Gentiles in the Roman Empire. The reason we do not eat meat in Great Lent has to do with the disciplines of repentance and control of the passions.  It would seem that the passage, therefore, has no application to us in the 21st century. However, we might…
The word of the day is “lawful.” In today’s reading of 1 Corinthians 10:23-28, St. Paul answers the question of eating meat once sacrificed to idols.  The apostle writes, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful” (vs. 23).  “All things are lawful…”?  Yes.  “For freedom, Christ has set us free” (Romans 13:9 CSB).  He has liberated us from the accusations, guilt, condemnation, and futile works of earning righteousness.  We are free of its control. And No.  The baptized have one overarching and all-encompassing commandment.  The Orthodox Study Bible comments, “Christians are obligated to obey only one law: the law of Christ, the law of love” (OSB fn. 1 Cor. 10:23-24). As the apostle says in Romans, “The…