Author: Fr. Alban Waggener

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Reflections on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity

As we examine our Gospel for this Sunday (St. Luke 5:1…), the first thing to meet us is the phrase: “the people pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God.”

What has happened in Luke’s account up to this point?  Jesus has returned from His baptism and temptation in the wilderness to the region of Galilee, to Nazareth his old home.  He has made an astonishing statement in His hometown synagogue which caused his old neighbors to take offense: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Continue reading “Reflections on the Fifth Sunday after Trinity”

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Reflections on the Fourth Sunday after Trinity

I am often struck by how deeply imbedded in such a relatively short time the evangelical notion of the “Rapture” is in most protestant churches.  It is a dogma in most evangelical circles, even though it is, especially in Orthodox time, a very novel invention.  It basically states that believers (only “true” believers in some circles) will be snatched away from earth so as not to suffer during the Tribulation period which is variously defined as “pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib, pre-wrath, mid-wrath,” etc. Continue reading “Reflections on the Fourth Sunday after Trinity”

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Refelctions on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

We commemorate three primary birthdays in the Christian year: Our Lord, Our Lady, and St. John the Baptist.  St. John the Forerunner stands in a unique place in salvation history: on the cusp.  For some 400 years, the voice of prophecy had been silent in Israel—since Malachi. Yet he had prophesied a coming messenger in the spirit and power of Elijah. Continue reading “Refelctions on the Nativity of St. John the Baptist”

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Reflections on the Second Sunday after Trinity

Our lessons today bring a tone of judgment.  Our Epistle echoes Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 regarding the curse of those who have not ministered unto the least of his brethren.  Our Lord’s parable in the holy Gospel speaks of those invited to the great feast who make all sorts of excuses as to why they can’t attend, who place everyday business ahead of the claims of God and the Kingdom, and who are no longer welcome.

The truth is that our very coming into this sacred space is a judgment. Continue reading “Reflections on the Second Sunday after Trinity”

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Reflections on the First Sunday after Trinity

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

One of the major differences between Orthodoxy and non-Orthodox forms of Christianity is in the area of soteriology. That word derives from soter, which means Savior. Soteriology is the study of salvation in its broadest sense. Non-Orthodox begin the study with fallen humanity and how sin affects God, whereas traditional soteriology commences not with man as a sinner, but as a sharer in the life of God. It contemplates first the goal of redemption, which is our participation in the divine nature. Continue reading “Reflections on the First Sunday after Trinity”

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Reflections on Trinity Sunday

Today we commemorate the full revelation of God as Holy Trinity.  The Church has had to deal theologically with the paradox of unity and distinction within the Godhead early and often.

Over the first four centuries she literally transformed the language of the philosophers to speak of the mystery she was forced to defend.  The Fathers, by specializing the meaning of ousia or essence, and hypostasis or person, sought to draw out the importance of affirming personhood within the shared substance of divinity.   Continue reading “Reflections on Trinity Sunday”

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Reflections on the 4th Sunday after Easter

Last Sunday’s lessons emphasized the tension between the Risen Christian and the world in which he is a “stranger and pilgrim.” Today we learn that unworldliness is not an unreasoning opposition, but a necessity for those who belong to a “Kingdom not of this world.” We are the world’s nonconformists because we are God’s conformists, and because to love the world as it is opposed to God and His Truth is to hate the Father. The Sunday of nonconformity is therefore followed by a Sunday of conformity.

Continue reading “Reflections on the 4th Sunday after Easter”