Teach Me Thy Statutes

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.