The word of the day is “boast.” Our society sees achievement as a sufficient reason to be proud of ourselves. It sees nothing wrong with football players who do a dance of exaltation when they score or sack the quarterback. But today in our reading of 2 Corinthians 10:7-18, Paul joins the Lord who criticized the Pharisee who congratulated himself in the “Parable of the Pharisee and Publican” (Luke 18:11). It’s Easy to Boast When One Measures Oneself Like the Pharisee, Paul’s opponents in Corinth are boasting of their superior powers and gifts. Moreover, they are criticizing Paul’s supposed weakness and lack of talent. But Paul answers with the observation that it is easy to boast when one measures oneself by one’s own standards. The…
The word of the day is “Lord’s.” In good times we are apt to forget that we own neither the present nor the future. We begin to construct a life for ourselves without reference to our Creator and Redeemer. But in times of misfortune, when things do not go our way, we see the futility of our efforts to live for ourselves. At these times, it is a great comfort to believe that everything is in the hands of God. In today’s reading of Romans 14:6-9, St. Paul writes, “Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (vs. 8). At the end of every litany in the Divine Liturgy, we “commend ourselves and each other, and all our life…
The word of the day is “instructed.”  We never outgrow our need for teaching. Even the most learned among us can benefit from instruction that deepens our faith and guides us in the way of discipleship. Today in our reading of Acts 18:22-28, Luke introduces us to an erudite and persuasive teacher. Yet, for all his knowledge, he still needed to be instructed so that “he could teach the faith more correctly” (vs. 26). Thus, Luke, the historian of Acts, writes, “When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (OSB vs. 26). Today, the example of a cultured man named Apollos teaches us that humility is required for us to…
The word of the day is “accounted.”  When we hear that God “accounts” faith as righteousness, we are likely to think of our salvation in terms of a law court. And if we use this metaphor for understanding the work of Christ for our justification, we may think of it as a legal acquittal of the debt we owe God for our sins. Today we reconsider what Paul means when he says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness” (OSB 4:3). We will present a contrasting view to the usual emphasis on justice. This perspective stresses the mercy of God, His active benevolence that brings us into a restored relationship with Him. In today’s reading of…
The word of the day is “accounted.”  When we hear that God “accounts” faith as righteousness, we are likely to think of our salvation in terms of a law court. What is more,  if we use this metaphor for understanding the work of Christ for our justification, we may think of it as a legal acquittal of the debt we owe God for our sins. Today we consider what Paul means when he says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness” (OSB 4:3). We will present a contrasting view to the emphasis on justice. This perspective stresses the mercy of God, His active benevolence that brings us into a restored relationship with Him. In today’s reading…
Editor’s Note: this is a revised version of a comment that I posted for Wednesday, October 14 in error. Thank you for bearing with me as I refine this blog. The Word of the Day is “flesh.”  In our reading of Philippians 1:20-27, we find that St. Paul’s life is suspended while he waits for his trial before the Roman Emperor. Paul continues to proclaim the Gospel with such power that the whole palace guard and others know about his suffering for Christ. Moreover, his example has emboldened his associates and even his opponents to preach Christ freely. Torn Between Life on Earth and Life in Heaven But Paul cannot see too far ahead, because at any moment the guards…