Category: Liturgical Seasons

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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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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 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”

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Reflections on Passion Sunday

On Passion Sunday, we enter the final two weeks of Lent, which the Church has named “Passiontide,” or “The Season of the Passion.” During these two weeks, the Church’s ancient Lenten course reaches its climax as we contemplate our Lord Jesus Christ’s death for us on the Cross.  As much as it is humanly possible, and with the supernatural help of God’s grace, we are meant to let nothing in this world divert our attention from our Savior’s Passion and death as we prepare to celebrate His Resurrection.

Continue reading “Reflections on Passion Sunday”