2 Corinthians 2:4-15 Matthew 23:13-22

2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3 Matthew 23:23-28

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 Matthew 24:13-28

2 Corinthians 4:13-18 Matthew 24:27-33, 42-51

2 Corinthians 5:10-15 Mark 1:9-15

2 Corinthians 5:15-21 Mark 1:16-22

2 Corinthians 6:11-16 Mark 1:23-28

2 Corinthians 7:1-10 Mark 1:29-35

2 Corinthians 7:10-16 Mark 2:18-22

2 Corinthians 12:10-19 Luke 4:37-44

2 Corinthians 12:20-13:2 Luke 5:12-16

2 Corinthians 13:3-14 Luke 5:33-39

Galatians 1:1-10, 20-2:5 Luke 6:12-19

Galatians 2:6-10 Luke 6:17-23

Galatians 2:11-16 Luke 6:24-30

Philippians 1:27-2:4 Luke 12:2-12

Philippians 2:12-16 Luke 12:13-15, 22-31

Philippians 2:17-23 Luke 12:42-48

Philippians 2:24-30 Luke 12:48-59

Philippians 3:1-8 Luke 13:1-9

Philippians 3:8-19 Luke 13:31-35

Philippians 4:10-23 Luke 14:12-15

Colossians 1:1-2, 7-11 Luke 14:25-35

Colossians 1:18-23 Luke 15:1-10

In her inaugural episode, Dr. Humphrey lays the groundwork for her new series.

As we approach Meatfare Sunday, Dr. Humphrey reflects on the Epistle and Gospel readings in light of passages in Joel and Isaiah.

Dr. Humphrey explores the meaning of “Memory eternal”, beginning with the idea of God remembering, and then going on to discuss what it means to remember “the least” who will be first—those whose names we may not know, but who have turned in costly faith towards the Lord.

Consider how God’s admonition to empathy in Deuteronomy helps us to understand the readings for this coming Divine Liturgy, and their stress upon true riches and true status. Readings: Ephesians 4:1-7; Luke 12:16-21; Deuteronomy 15:11-15; 16:11-12; 24:14-22

This week we look at Jesus’ first meeting with Peter in the light of Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah to come. We are helped to understand Peter’s great fear at Jesus’ ability to see into the depths of the sea, and the human heart. We are also given courage by St. Paul as we hear how our Christ God has reconciled enemies, and continues to work in his Church. (Luke 5:1-11; 2 Cor 1: 21-2:4; Col 1:13-23; Isaiah 11:1-9)

Consider the passages in St. Andrew’s canon concerning Moses, alongside Hebrews 11:24-25, 32-40 and John 1:43-51 and 2 Peter 1. We learn the apostolic way of reading the Old Testament as warnings and examples to help us at the beginning of Great Lent.

This Sunday, the fourteenth of Luke, we also commemorate the prophet Zephaniah, whose tiny book in the OT speaks eloquently both of the dark state of God’s people, and his aim to bring them into the light (Zephaniah 1:14-17; 3:9-20). Those themes help us to think more concretely, and as a community, concerning the gospel and epistle for today (Ephesians 5:8-19; Luke 18:35-43), where spiritual blindness and sight is also addressed.

This week we read the epistle through the lenses of St. John Chrysostom, St. John Climacus, the book of Genesis and Isaiah’s portrait of the Suffering Servant. Here we are given the hope to continue following our great forerunner Jesus. The gospel reading adds to this the importance of faith, prayer and fasting, as we set our faces towards the cross.

This weekend we consider the radiance of Bright week, the glory of the Theotokos, and the promise of our incorporation into the New Jerusalem, even as we reap many of its benefits now. We look to the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, as well as to the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, to fill in the wonder of the Paschal hymn and its call for us to rejoice and shine with the glory of God.

What is meant by the phrase “He was not tempted by Hades”, and is it the case that Jesus appeared first to the Theotokos? We look to the Scriptural teaching on the despoiling of Hades, to the cultural associations of Hades in the Greek and Roman mind, and to the prophet Isaiah for help in understanding the joy of Holy Saturday’s conquest.

This week we understand the depths of Christ’s demolition of death, and the great reversal, in the light of Ezekiel 7, Jeremiah 7, and Psalm 125 (MT 126).

This week we take a break from the dismissal hymns to the Theotokos, and consider the rich imagery of the hymn (in tone 5) to Mary after the Aposticha. Its symbols are illumined for us by the Psalter, Ezekiel 33-35, and Isaiah 6.

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 hear Jesus’ words to Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6) in the light of the prophets Amos (2:4-12, 5:16-20, 6:1) and Isaiah (42:3), considering that divine warnings are meant to lead to repentance, and that we are invited to participate in the strengthening help that Christ gives His Church.

This week we consider Jesus’ strengthening words to Philadelphia in Rev 3:7-13, seeking to understand the meaning of the crown, the pillars, and the name of New Jerusalem by reference to various passages in the New Testament and the fathers, and by looking back to Ex 19:6, 1 Kings 7:21, Zec 4, Hos. 2:24 and Is 44:5.

We read of the joy, warnings, and blessings of God in Rev 14:1-13, helped in our interpretation by St. Andrew of Caesarea, St. Bede, and St. Augustine, as well as three passages from the OT— 2 Kings 6, 2 Sam 11:6-13, Genesis 2:1-3. Because of its imagery, the worship in heaven may seem exclusive; however, all who follow the Lamb are invited to join in the “new song.”

This week we consider Revelation 16 as an intensification of Exodus 7-12, looking to Haggai 2:6-7, and various other NT passages, as well as some Church fathers, in our reading of this sobering passage.

At the head of the new year, we heed Deuteronomy 32:1–18 (Second Song of Moses, Part 1), in the light of other Biblical passages, and remember the days of old. Especially we contemplate the pictures of God offered here—Rock, Father, Ruler, like a mother giving birth—and learn from Moses to “ascribe greatness to the LORD our God.”

We read the rest of Azariah’s prayer, followed by a short narrative, found in Daniel 3:37-50, with the help of Psalm 50/51 and Ezra (in the OSB, 2 Ezra) 8:71-87. Azariah’s utter honesty and trust in the philanthropic LORD leads to God’s answer—His presence with them in the furnace, as Azariah and his friends offer the fruit of their lips.

This week we read the story of Susanna, found either in the prologue of Daniel or Daniel 13 (dependent upon the version used). Susanna is an excellent example of the charms and depth of the Readable Books, adding to doctrine and morals an appreciation for the domestic life and the spunkiness of its heroine, whose story is here analyzed with reference to Daniel 3:17-18, Romans 4, and Psalm 3:1-4.

Prepare, O Bethlehem: The Feast of the Nativity, illustrated for children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000)

"The Gergesene Demoniac," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

Prepare, O Bethlehem!: The Feast of the Nativity Illustrated for Children by Niko Chocheli (St Vladimir’s Seminary Press (2000)

"Saint Artemios," from The Lives of Our Saints, Illustrated Biographies Book 6 (Spiritual Fragrance Publishing, 2012)

Welcoming the Christ Child: Family Readings for the Nativity Lent, "Conclusion – Righteous Joseph and A Child is Born in Bethlehem," by Elissa Bjeletich, illustrated by Jelena Jeftic (Sebastian Press, 2017).

"Empress Theodora," from Royal Saints: A coloring book with stories of saintly royalty throughout the history of Christianity (Draw Near Designs). Saints drawn by Marian Adams. Stories & Borders by Abigail Holt. Layout by Caroline Gann.