A Lamp for Today

This week we hear the apostle Paul’s vulnerable plea to his congregation, and are reminded to pray and encourage our pastors (bishops, priests, deacons) as they work together with Christ, taking on his suffering for our sake, that we might be effective ministers in the world. (2 Cor 6:1-11; Psalm 68/69; Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

This week we consider how God humbly uses objects, especially the live-giving Cross, for our healing and transformation. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Galatians 6:11-18, Colossians 1:19-20; Numbers 21:4-9, Exodus 15:22-26; Proverbs 3:11-18)

This week we consider how God humbly uses objects, especially the live-giving Cross, for our healing and transformation. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Galatians 6:11-18, Colossians 1:19-20; Numbers 21:4-9, Exodus 15:22-26; Proverbs 3:11-18)

This week we consider Paul’s spirited words in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, seeking to understand the importance of Holy Tradition, the apostles who saw Jesus, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, in the light of Daniel 12, Genesis 49, Exodus 1, and Ezekiel 47-48.

This week we consider Paul’s spirited words in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, seeking to understand the importance of Holy Tradition, the apostles who saw Jesus, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, in the light of Daniel 12, Genesis 49, Exodus 1, and Ezekiel 47-48.

We examine St. Paul’s poignant picture of the apostles (1 Cor 4:9-16) as the “refuse of the world,” noticing that even the OT is ambivalent towards outward success, considering the problem of calling something “father,” and focusing upon the utter humility of Jesus, who St. Paul sought to follow.

We examine St. Paul’s poignant picture of the apostles (1 Cor 4:9-16) as the “refuse of the world,” noticing that even the OT is ambivalent towards outward success, considering the problem of calling something “father,” and focusing upon the utter humility of Jesus, who St. Paul sought to follow.

We consider the quality of deep unity commended to us in 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, illumining that teaching by reference to the unity fostered by King Hezekiah as God’s people repented and resumed celebrating the Passover during his faithful reform (2 Chronicles 30).

We consider the quality of deep unity commended to us in 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, illumining that teaching by reference to the unity fostered by King Hezekiah as God’s people repented and resumed celebrating the Passover during his faithful reform (2 Chronicles 30).

We consider how honoring one another can lead us, in a positive way, to heartfelt humility and maturity in Christ. We are helped by the epistle readings for this Sunday (Titus 3:8-15; Romans 12:6-14), as they are illumined by Numbers 12:3, Isaiah 66:2, and Proverbs 25:27.

We consider how honoring one another can lead us, in a positive way, to heartfelt humility and maturity in Christ. We are helped by the epistle readings for this Sunday (Titus 3:8-15; Romans 12:6-14), as they are illumined by Numbers 12:3, Isaiah 66:2, and Proverbs 25:27.

This week we tackle the paradox of service and freedom, and the fruit that comes from service to God, as seen in Romans 6:18-23 and Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2. We are helped in understanding this through the words of Saints Augustine and Chrysostom, and by reading Genesis 22 and Leviticus 26:12-18.

This week we tackle the paradox of service and freedom, and the fruit that comes from service to God, as seen in Romans 6:18-23 and Galatians 5:22-26; 6:1-2. We are helped in understanding this through the words of Saints Augustine and Chrysostom, and by reading Genesis 22 and Leviticus 26:12-18.

Hebrews 11:33-12:2 presents us both with heroes who “succeeded” by outward appearances, and those who met affliction. We look to Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalm 119, and especially Job to help us see how God makes many promises to His people, but crowns these with the gift of Himself, both in Jesus Christ, and in the promised Holy Spirit. It is this great gift that the ancient righteous anticipated, and that we have joyfully celebrated with them this week.

Hebrews 11:33-12:2 presents us both with heroes who “succeeded” by outward appearances, and those who met affliction. We look to Exodus, Deuteronomy, Psalm 119, and especially Job to help us see how God makes many promises to His people, but crowns these with the gift of Himself, both in Jesus Christ, and in the promised Holy Spirit. It is this great gift that the ancient righteous anticipated, and that we have joyfully celebrated with them this week.