Category: Scripture Commentary

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Commentary by Saint Nicolai Velimirovich, Missionary Letters, Part 1, Letter 9, followed by contemporary commentary.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Mat 10:34)
Thus said the Lord. Read it as if He had said, “I did not come to reconcile truth and lie, wisdom and stupidity, good and evil, justice and violence, bestiality and humanity, God and mammon; but I came to bring a sword so that I may cut and separate one from the other, so they do not mingle” What will you cut with O Lord? …

The Christian view of suffering and pleasure. 1 Peter 4:1-2

Commentary on 1 Peter 4:1-2

Our life must be an emulation of Christ. He voluntarily suffered; we must VOLUNTARILY suffer. This idea is not well known or well-liked among many people, including Christians. In emulating Christ, we acquire His mind – we think like Him, act like Him, and begin to understand Him. Since salvation is to know God …

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. – The key to progress in life. Audio homily 36th Sunday after Pentecost, 2011

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” This extreme statement by the Apostle Paul must define the way we live our life, and is the key to making any progress in virtue. It is a &mindset” that permiates Orthodox Christian life and prayers, but is not well understood. Let us look at how in our daily lives we can make this saying “worthy of all acceptation”. Many examples from the scriptures will help us, such as the publican, the woman who annointed the Lord’s feet, and the Apostle Peter.

The Gospel in context, always! Reading the scripture with purpose.

The Gospel in context, always!
Reading the scripture with purpose.
The Wordly NEVER understand Holy Things!
Luke 9:7-11. 21st Tuesday of Luke and/or the 4th Tuesday of Luke

Today’s gospel, like most Gospel selections, must be read in context in order to be understood. When we hear this selection in church, we are not reading the surrounding verses which often help elucidate the passage, but if we are students of the scripture, we will remember the context. We should know the scripture better than any book. It should be intimately familiar to us.

There is only one way for that to happen! We must read the scripture often, with purpose! …

Fifth Monday of Pascha. John 8:42-51

The Church Lectionary.
The Pedagogical services – Matins and Vespers.
On being called a Samaritan.
Fifth Monday of Pascha. John 8:42-51

On the day after we have read about Holy Equal to the Apostles, Photini, the Samaritan woman, the Gospel selection has the Jews calling the Lord a Samaritan, and demon-possessed.

They did not know what they were talking about! The proud, the jealous (a child of pride), the religious (or irreligious) elite – they never know what they are talking about. The Lord took their characterization and turned it on its head, in the parable about the Good Samaritan, where He is the Samaritan!

A few thoughts about this reading and the place it holds in the church calendar. …