Musings from the High Desert

What's this about a place where people were healed? And what about the objections to various kinds of healing on the Sabbath? And what's the problem that this man is unable to receive healing for so long? Fr Gabriel looks into all this and more as we examine the story of the Paralytic from John 5.

This week Fr Gabriel reflects with us on the meaning of St Mary for the life of repentance, drawing out a number of lessons we can and should learn from the life of this great Saint as we know her.

Here's another way to look at this famous text, one that is referenced in every house blessing. Jesus enters under our rooves as he did under the roof of Zacchaeus. But what can this mean? Listen in to Fr Gabriel's exposition of this text which signals the proximity of the Lenten Triodion.

What if everybody in this parable got it wrong? What if it's not only the person who is called "wicked and slothful" (a word we'll come back to) who misunderstands the generous donor? Listen in as Fr Gabriel explores this angle on the parable of the talents.

Fr Gabriel notes the breathtaking sweep that the liturgical readings make from the birth of Jesus to the beginning of his ministry, which demonstrates that the church followed the pattern exhibited in scripture where emphasis is placed on the work and words of the adult Jesus. Fr Gabriel invites us to see the human Jesus as a visionary rabbi who calls people into enacting his vision of the Kingdom of God.

St. Matthew uses the Jewish scriptural background to express his understanding of Jesus as the Messiah, or Christ. Join Fr. Gabriel Rochelle as he explore the question the text raises for us, "Given the nature of our times, what sorts of imagery and symbol would we use to tell others of the depth of our faith in Christ?"

Fr. Gabriel uses the writings of St John Cassian as a way to consider the meaning of the nativity for our lives.

Part of Advent in Orthodoxy is recollection of the minor prophets. This past weekend and over it we commemorated Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. Fr Gabriel considers the message of Habakkuk, what it meant in context, how the Dead Sea Community used it, and its relevance for our time.

The early Christian Church shows a sort of fluidity and continuity that we sometimes fail to comprehend when we are confronted with, on one hand, the institution of the church and, on the other, the completed New Testament. Clement's First Letter is an example of a writing that was beloved by many in the early centuries, accepted in various places as "scripture," and demonstrates the faithfulness of the first generations of Christians following the death of the Apostles. Listen in to learn more.

Fr Gabriel offers a look at the trajectory—not always positive—of the interpretation of this parable, and goes on to explore the initial conversation between the lawyer and Jesus. The final question is how can we respond to the message of this parable in our time? (Luke 10:25-37)

Fr. Gabriel Rochelle looks at the passage for this Sunday's Epistle (Pentecost 23) in the context of the whole of the letter, with side notes to Romans 9-11 and Galatians. Paul's emphasis is consistent: we are saved by God's Grace in order that we might be reconciled with others, particularly our Jewish brothers and sisters, and that we might do works of compassion and helpfulness in the world. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Fr. Gabriel Rochelle considers the heart of the Christian message today in relation to both the Gerasene demoniac's tale and Paul's approach to the faith in Galatians. (Galatians and Luke 8)

Deacon Ted Brinegar uses the mash-up between the parable of the Sower and the text from St John's Gospel in this Sunday to bring us a clear message about the place of icons in the growth of our faith.

St. Paul comes off the blocks with a powerful message for the "foolish Galatians." There's a movement in the community to underwrite forms of legalism that would compromise the central message of freedom in the Gospel of Christ. Paul addresses these concerns and offers us light for our way today. (Galatians 1)

Guest Preacher: Fr Timothy Cremeens (Wilkes-Barre PA) reflects on the raising of the widow of Nain's son in relation to our need for "raising" in this life. (St Luke 7:11-16)