Archive for 2015
Colossians 4
The great theme of the second chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians is the sufficiency of Christ. Paul urges Christians to do more than accept the Gospel message on an intellectual level, but to also live it out. In doing so Christians will be filled with a joyful spirit of thanksgiving. Would that our…
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Toward the end of the first chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, Paul spoke of the Colossians’ “love in the spirit”. This expression points to a supernatural love beyond mere human affection. He will go on to speak about how the Christian community is to be built up in such a love. All is…
Read MoreColossians 2
“Who is this Christ?” is the fundamental question whose answer is cast in one of the great Christological hymns of the Bible. It is far more than great poetry. Paul expands the terms of the Old Testament to speak of Christ as the head of both creation and redemtpion, as well as a new order…
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The mystery of Christ, the key to the Christian life, is unpacked in four brief chapters in St. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. There are many parallels between Ephesians and Colossians, which suggests they may have been written close to the same time. Paul was writing for a particular reason – he had received word…
Read MoreSt. Irenaeus Mass and Potluck
Dear Friends of St. Irenaeus (and St. Titus too): You are invited to join us on our patronal feast day for The Mass of St. Irenaeus Saturday, June 27th at 4:00 pm in Murphy Hall at St. John Fisher College Murphy Hall is across East Ave. ( 31f ) from the main campus. Fr. Mike…
Read MoreThe Advent of Hope
In Isaiah we read of the Servant songs, a collection of poems or songs speaking of the servant of God. There are ancient Rabbinic sources that see Isaiah 53 as referring explicitly to a suffering Messiah. The Babylonian Talmud, the midrash on Ruth, the Aramaic Targum, the writings of Moses Maimonides, and the mystical texts…
Read MoreThe Advent of Hope
The Second Coming of Christ is a key doctrine in our Creed. And yet, it often does not receive a great deal of attention. It necessarily completes and complements the First Coming. Without a lively anticipation of Our Lord’s return, our faith is left a great deal diminished. The Psalms speak to the Messianic Hope…
Read MoreColossians Bible Study Announced
Announcing our new spring Bible study! Beginning this Tuesday, April 28! Unfortunately, our regular mailings are arriving late. So we are notifying everyone on our mailing list of our new study – a four week study in St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians. This should be a special study, one that is particularly appropriate…
Read MoreThe Advent of Hope
Prophecy plays a key role in the Old Testament understanding of hope, particularly that great Messianic hope. Prophecy should be understood as speaking with Divine Authority to convey the message that God wills for a particular audience. We see from the Bible that becoming a prophet was nothing that anyone took upon themselves. It is all…
Read MoreThe Advent of Hope
The young David, a singer of God’s praises, would come to set up temple worship as a mature man. He was a great sinner, and a great repenter. The Psalms give us a detailed account of his inner dispositions. All of David’s great accomplishments look forward to an even greater reality, which is seen in…
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