Our Scriptures Gospel Reading March 1st Sunday of Orthodoxy (John 1:43-51, Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael) In this passage we meet Nathanael, the man Christ praises for having no conceit or guile. The Old Testament had foretold that the Messiah would be of Bethlehem (Micah 5:1). According to St John Chrysostom, Nathanael had knowledge of the prophecies, and therefore doubted Philip when he told him the Messiah was from Nazareth: “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (v. 45). However, at the same time, he was [...]

Gospel Reading August 15th The Dormition of the Theotokos (Luke 10:38-42, 11:27-28) Luke 10:38–42 recounts the visit paid by our Lord to the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Upon entering the house, Jesus is welcomed by Martha. She then continues to pre-occupy herself with serving while her sister, Mary, sits at the feet of Jesus listening to His teaching. Upon noticing that Mary is no longer helping with the serving, Martha becomes annoyed and says: “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” (v. 40). Our Lord [...]

Gospel Reading June 30th (Matthew 9:36-10:8) Feast of the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles This Gospel passage concerns the first mission that Jesus entrusted to the Apostles during His public ministry. The term “Apostle” is of Greek origin and means “to be sent out”. At the outset, the passage describes the significance of the Apostles’ mission. The people of Israel were in a dire spiritual state. Despite having the Mosaic Law and the leadership of the Pharisees, they were like sheep with “no shepherd” (verse 36). Professor Trembelas[1], in his commentary on this passage, notes that we in fact know [...]

Gospel Reading July 19th (Matthew 5:14-19) This Gospel reading forms part of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. In this homily, Jesus outlines the kind of life that must be lead by those who seek the Kingdom of God. The Sermon on the Mount begins by detailing how those who belong to Jesus are poor in spirit; they mourn, they hunger, are peacemakers and thirst for what is right. Christ then continues and says to his Disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and [...]

Gospel Reading April 12th Midnight Resurrection Service Mark 16:1-8 This passage recounts the dramatic events that unfolded after the Crucifixion. We read that because Christ died so close to the Sabbath, the burial customs of the Jews had not yet been completed. Therefore, the faithful myrrh-bearing women, Mary Magdalene and Salome, went as early as possible to the tomb of Christ to complete the burial rites. When the women arrived at the tomb, they were surprised to see that the stone that was covering the entrance had already been rolled away. The women then entered the tomb and they saw [...]