Today we discussed how to understand Peter’s admonition to prepare ourselves to provide a defense of our faith. This defense is best offered by living the faith vs. being able to intellectually explain it. Fr Aaron pointed out how we would be wise to remember the words from one of the saints of our Church who said, “If you are not edified by my presence, neither will you be edified by my words.”
In contemplating the fact that the Nativity story is not included in Mark’s Gospel, our episode today focused on the most important aspect of the life of Christ, which was His teaching. And even though Matthew and Luke provide some details about the birth of Jesus, they also neglect any mention of His early life—the sole exception being the story told in Luke about the young Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem and teaching in the Temple. We see this emphasis on the teaching also in the three great...
Today’s episode focused on listener questions regarding salvation. Fr Aaron explained that there are different ways to approach this issue, which lead to a discussion around legalism as well as those looking for just the minimum requirements so that they can get to heaven without doing more than is necessary. As for the legalistic approach, there is something to be said here as we all will ultimately be declared either righteous or unrighteous. But we should understand that there are none who ar...
Today’s episode focused on some of the most common questions regarding Mary, including the important distinction between worship and veneration. From a theological perspective, Fr Aaron explained that rather than making a statement about Mary, the names we use for Mary more specifically highlight our understanding of Christ. Finally, it was stressed that the key biblical aspect of Mary is seen in her willingness to submit to God and suffer great shame, even risking death, to bring Christ into th...
In this episode, Fr Aaron expounds on his sermon from January 17, 2021, which reflected on the "siege of the US Capitol" building on January 6, 2021. In that sermon, Fr Aaron talked about the false gospel that we can obtain and retain true freedom through physical violence and war. He reminded of the teaching of Jesus and the true Gospel, that true freedom can only be found in making peace with your enemies. In this episode, we explored some important passages related to this authentic Gospel te...
In today’s episode we began with a discussion of the mustard seed and the leaven from Jesus’ parable, and how we learn from this teaching that no Christian work is too small. And as Christians, we should never concern ourselves with the outcome of our work for the Lord: we are called to plant the seeds, but we cannot produce. It is God alone who gives the growth. We then examined Jesus’ warning to “strive to enter by the narrow door” and discussed its implications.
Today we discussed how to juggle various ideals, namely our exposure of darkness while avoiding condemnation by our judgement of others. Father Aaron explained that we must first begin by exposing the darkness within ourselves. By repairing the darkness within ourselves and living by example, we become a light to others and expose the darkness. We also discussed what is meant by “redeeming the time.” Our liturgical tradition can help to provide meaning to our daily lives and aid us in avoiding t...
In today's passage Paul speaks of delivering people to Satan and forbids women to speak: what on earth does that mean and why does he say those things? Fr Aaron explains how the "delivering to Satan" is ultimately meant to instruct the sinners so that they would repent and be saved. During this discussion we touched on the common misconception that Satan has more power and influence than he truly has. And in regard to the concluding verses in today’s reading concerning women, it was stressed tha...
Why does Jesus say we must hate our father and mother?!!! To better understand this statement, we considered the preceding Parable of the Great Banquet, and the excuses offered by the three invited guests. Through this parable, Jesus is teaching that while there are credible excuses for avoiding the call to defend Israel in war, these do not apply as credible excuses for the higher calling of Christ’s heavenly banquet. When applied to our reading today, we can see clearly that Jesus is telling u...
Today we discussed the common theme of a wedding or marriage to teach us about deeper biblical concepts. One example given was that of Christ and the Church in which Christ is the groom and the Church is His bride. Even relationships outside of marriage can be instructive, as is found in numerous examples throughout Scripture. One such example cited by Fr Aaron was that of Paul’s instruction on spiritual unfaithfulness in which the Gentile communities he converted were warned against seeking aft...
Today’s episode explored the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. On the surface, this parable is about wealth and poverty, but Fr Aaron argued that there is much more to this story and highlighted a deeper understanding. Namely, he showed how the rich man represents the Jewish religious establishment, who have the Law and the Prophets and are therefore spiritually wealthy. Lazarus, on the other hand, represents the Gentiles and the Jewish outcasts, who were outside the Jewish religious establis...
In today’s episode we went back to Genesis 10 to help us properly understand Jesus’ statement in Luke 11: “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” Through this statement, Jesus is telling us we cannot claim to accept His message while also excluding those we do not respect or those who we despise. We must be willing to gather the harvest with Jesus to be part of the authentic community of God. Finally, we noted the acceptance of Jesus’ teaching and way ...
We discussed the biblical theme that sinners and outsiders are the ones who recognize God’s Messiah rather than those who are viewed as righteous. We examined this theme in light of the Roman centurion whose faith in Jesus led to the healing of his slave. This centurion, a Gentile, demonstrated his complete trust in the Lord with these words, “Just say the word, and let my servant be healed.” This healing of the slave from afar also demonstrates another common theme of Scripture; that God is not...
Today we discussed the context of the Epistles to the Corinthians, noting the community was predominantly Gentile, one made up of Roman converts to the faith. We then discussed the similarities in the Bible of both Jews and Gentiles in that Scripture is critical of both communities. Later in today’s reading, we hear Paul address the Corinthians with a bit of sarcasm, to offer a warning: If we expect that being a Christian will bring us an easy life, and that we can be viewed as honorable by a co...
We discuss Jesus’ appearance to His disciples and his questioning of why they did not believe in Him. We evaluate this appearance and “proof” of the Resurrection in light of Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, in which Jesus taught if people did not believe in the teaching of Moses, neither would they be convinced if one rose from the dead. Fr Aaron explained that ultimately Christ was rebuking His disciples by appearing to them. Like the Roman centurion (soldier), we sho...
In this episode we discuss what it means to be “justified.” Fr Aaron explained that the Greek word that is often translated as “justified” can also be translated as “declared righteous.” And so, we can understand that to be justified means that we have been declared righteous. With this legal terminology in mind, we then discussed that while part of salvation is legal or juridical, salvation goes beyond a mere legal process. St. Paul is telling us in Galatians that to be declared righteous means...
We began by focusing on the problem of self-righteousness addressed in the Gospel. It is important to note that while the Pharisees were often portrayed in a negative light because of their consistent condemnation by Christ, the Pharisees were viewed by the the people of their time as respectable and pious. However, as evidenced by the Gospel teaching, if we are to avoid judgement by Christ as a Pharisee on the Day of Judgement, we must recognize ourselves as Pharisees so that we might change ou...
Today we examined the role of parables in Scripture. We began by stressing the importance of viewing the entirety of Scripture as parable, as well as the value of parables as guiding principles in our lives, since we are wired to better understand moral and spiritual lessons when they are told in story form. Christ Himself used parables to penetrate more deeply; to engrain the lesson on our heart. We also discussed the modern idea of the Bible as a scientific or historical book, pointing out the...
We begin with an examination of the so-called “unforgivable sin.” From a thorough understanding of the preceding verses in Mark’s Gospel, we see this blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an accusation that the work of Jesus is the work of demons. Father Aaron used the example of St. Paul to illustrate that this particular sin, as with all sin, can be forgiven if we repent. Only in persisting and dying in this sin against the Holy Spirit will we not receive forgiveness. We concluded with a discus...
We discuss the tradition of fasting, dating back to pre-Christian Judaism. This helps us better understand why Jesus was questioned by the disciples of John as to His disciples not fasting. Jesus’ response, together with Isaiah 58, shows that the true purpose of fasting is not to make ourselves hungry, but to relieve the hunger in others and to relieve their burdens. Jesus shows how the most religious people are too often focused on their own self-righteousness rather than this biblical meaning ...
Today we discussed whether the “abomination of desolation” has already taken place or whether it is still yet to come. While many people today have become obsessed with the End Times, the Gospel tells us that we are not to be predicting or pontificating about when the End will be, but rather to remain vigilant and prepared. Our main concern should be in how we live our lives according to the Gospel message, so that we are ready for the Final Judgment whenever it comes. To conclude the episode, F...
Today we discussed the significance of Jesus’ movement in and out of the great city of Jerusalem, and His spending the evenings in Bethany. We also highlighted a parable Jesus spoke while visiting the Temple, calling out the religious people of His time. In stark contrast to how Jesus lived His earthly life—ministering to the poor and the outcast—these “pious” people condemned and disassociated from them. In the end, Fr Aaron pointed out the teaching of Scripture: talk is cheap. What ultimately ...
In this episode we examined the significance of the events of the Transfiguration of Christ. We explored the historical/Old Testament connection between the Transfiguration and the Feast of Booths. We further discussed the implications of the Transfiguration for us as followers of Christ. One additional connection we stressed is the importance of the “anamnesis” or “remembrance” of Scriptural events.
In discussing the canonization of Scripture, we discussed how this recognition of Scripture confirms that everything from Church doctrine to the practice of living a Christian life must be measured against Scripture to ensure we are on the correct path. Fr Aaron emphasized the importance of Scripture by reminding us of St. Paul’s words in his letter to the Galatians where he tells that that we should not accept anything other than the Gospel that he preached. Paul then goes on to detail that ver...
We began today’s episode by discussing the universal nature of the New Testament Epistles. We then discussed how our reading from the Epistle of James today communicates our goal to live simply, with honesty and integrity. We then turned to the sacrament of confession and the reasons behind the changes and development of this sacrament throughout the history of the Church. What once was a public sacrament has now become private due to practical issues we discussed in depth. We concluded by notin...
Today, we compare the Gentiles with Israel, in that Israel seeks to achieve righteousness by their works, while the Gentiles find righteousness by their faith. Father Aaron helps illumine a difficult passage to understand, showing that the passage is indicating we cannot force God’s hand. We cannot become righteous in a way that forces God to act, for He will act in His own way and in His own time. Jason then highlighted a passage from today’s reading that, at first glance, may seem to contradic...
Today's episode was a "rapid-fire" Q&A between Jason & Father Aaron. We were reminded of the importance of all members of the body of Christ. All are needed for the fullness of the Church to be realized. Also, we should be joyful in the success of others, not finding jealously in our hearts. And finally, we were reminded to never to seek vengeance, for Christ alone is the judge.
Father Aaron and Jason discuss the concepts of freedom and slavery as presented in the Gospel. Fr Aaron highlights how, in Christ, we are set free from the law and from our slavery to sin. And yet, we remain a slave, a slave of Christ, bound to His teachings; to love our enemy, to work through our forgiveness of those who have harmed us and to refrain from judging our fellow slaves. In our earthly life, we are all slaves; we choose whether to be bound to sin, or to our Lord Jesus Christ.
We discuss the use of the term “Greek” in New Testament translations and if or how it applies to other Gentiles who are not ethnically Greek. We then discussed the reality that while many people are uncomfortable with the idea of God’s final judgment, perhaps an even more unpopular idea regarding the judgment is how it will take place. In today’s reading from Romans we hear, “God shows no partiality.” While this sounds ideal, those who do not receive a favorable judgment will no doubt feel that ...
Today we began by discussing an alternative theory on the authorship of Romans (i.e. that it was written not by Paul himself, but by his disciple, Luke). Father stressed that, ultimately, the authorship is not of as much importance as the substance of the epistle. It can be helpful, however, to view Luke’s Gospel, the book of Acts, and Romans as a trilogy. Through this lens we can plainly see the progression in Jesus’ life and teaching, culminating in an invitation to all people and all nations ...
