As we approach Holy Week and will be contemplating the Passion of the Lord, Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne Louh are Dr. Jeannie's special guests this week to discuss the seven last statements of the Lord, the lessons we can learn from what He said an

The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven

12 days ago

Did the early Church understand the words of Christ to Peter as giving unique powers or special privileges to Peter? How, when and why did the Roman Church develop its theology of papal supremacy? What did the early Fathers say about the keys t

You are Peter and On This Rock....

19 days ago

Our examination of Peter's confession and Christ's blessing continues. Was Peter ever the bishop of Rome? Did the Lord's words give Peter and all bishops of Rome universal jurisdiction over the entire Church? What did the holy Fathers say about

On This Rock I Will Build My Church

26 days ago

Peter's acknowledgment of the true identity of Jesus, led to him receiving a new name and a blessing. The Catholic Church has used this verse to support its papal supremacy doctrine. Is Peter the Rock on which the Church is built, or is it some

An Evil and Adulterous Generation Asks for a Sign

Mar 26th, 2024

When the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven, why did he reject their request? Is it unacceptable to ask God for a sign? Is a sign the same as a miracle? What role should miracles play in supporting our faith?

Did Jesus Really Call Her a Dog?

Mar 19th, 2024

One of the most uncomfortable scenes in the gospels is when a Canaanite woman follows Jesus, begging for his help. First, he ignores her. Then he insults her. Why? The story is actually a wonderful one, with great spiritual lessons that are esp

Christ Rejects Tradition?

Mar 12th, 2024

The Pharisees challenged Jesus to explain why he ignored "the traditions of the elders." His disregard for their customs has fueled Protestant criticisms of Holy Tradition. Which traditions did the Lord reject and why?

Enough Faith To Walk On Water?

Mar 5th, 2024

We all know about the Lord walking on water. But only Matthew has the story of Peter joining him amid the waves and storm. The Fathers have much to say about this story and its lessons for us about the importance of faith and challenges to our

Walking on Water

Feb 27th, 2024

This amazing story of the disciples' experience of the Lord is more than just a miracle, but a deep expression of theology. In Matthew's Gospel, Peter's attempt to join him on the water is added to this story. Both events provide many spiritual

The Multiplication of the Loaves

Feb 20th, 2024

This miracle is the most widely attested but also among the most commonly disputed. Why? The story seems simple, and we all know it well. But it has great theological depth and spiritual meaning, which we will discover with the help of the Fath

The Beheading of the Lord's Forerunner

Feb 13th, 2024

Information, and even intrigue, exists about the beheading of St. John, including the discovery of his head, which the Church also remembers. We'll take a historical and patristic look at the lives, motivation, and ultimate fates of those invol

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like....

Feb 6th, 2024

More parables in Matthew 13 teach us about the nature of the Kingdom, its hidden and dynamic qualities, the power of the apostles despite overwhelming opposition by the world, and the tenacity required by the faithful and their ability to acqui

Seeing They Do Not See, And Hearing They Do Not Understand

Jan 30th, 2024

This strange statement actually appears in all four gospels and Acts of the Apostles and is a prophecy about Christ. Why was this prophecy so crucial in the early Church, and why didn't Christ just explain or enlighten people so they could see

"To Those Who Have More Will Be Given"

Jan 23rd, 2024

Christ told the disciples they would understand the mysteries and receive more. Others "seeing would not see and hearing would not understand" and would receive less. Why aren't the mysteries of heaven understandable to all? Does God choose som

Why Did Jesus Use Parables?

Jan 16th, 2024

The Lord's teachings were enigmatic at times, especially when He used parables. He said, "Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand." This sounds strange and unfair. Did the Lord truly want people not to understand him?

The Kingdom of Heaven

Jan 9th, 2024

One of Matthew's major themes is acquiring the Kingdom of Heaven. Chapter 13, the mid-point of the five main sections of Matthew's gospel, is entirely devoted to this single topic. Here Matthew gathers all of Jesus' parables on the Kingdom o

The Family of Jesus

Dec 19th, 2023

The gospel reading on the Sunday before Christmas concerns the genealogy of Jesus. The Scriptures refer to his brothers and sisters. Who were these people? What do we know about them? Why do Christians disagree about their identity and about

Signs of Jonah

Dec 12th, 2023

The image of Jonah was ubiquitous in the early Church and remains frequently referenced in Orthodoxy. The statement is deeper than we realize, and Christ's citation of Jonah also reveals His own specific technique of scripture interpretation th

Idle Words

Dec 5th, 2023

The Lord warns us that on Judgment Day, we will account for every idle word we utter. Why are mere words so important? We will discuss this...and just a little more about the sin against the Holy Spirit.

Idle Words

Dec 4th, 2023 1h 17m

The Sin Against the Holy Spirit- Part 2

Nov 28th, 2023

The Lord said there is one sin that cannot be forgiven, neither in this life nor in the next: The sin against the Holy Spirit. Fr. Costa will join us this week as we continue our discussion of this verse.

The Sin Against the Holy Spirit

Nov 21st, 2023

The Lord's immense power caused confusion among Jewish leaders and his actions evoked consternation. They accused him of using the devil's power to heal. He responded by warning them, and us, about "the sin against the Holy Spirit." But what i

Something Greater Than the Temple

Nov 14th, 2023

In Matthew chapter 12, the Pharisees increasingly challenge the Lord for what they perceive to be his violations of the Law of Moses. But the Lord defends his actions artfully, and in one healing story, Matthew shows how the Lord makes his rabb

Hiding Christ's Teachings From the Learned and Wise

Nov 7th, 2023

Christ thanked the Father for "hiding" his teaching from the "learned and wise" and revealing it to children. Why would God do that if God loves us all and Christ came to save us? Does God prevent some people from understanding?

The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence

Oct 31st, 2023

"The kingdom of heaven suffers violence." For most modern commentators, this is a most enigmatic saying. But for Orthodox Christians this statement is well understood and has always been interpreted in the same way in the history of the Church.