Musings From The High Desert

Fr Gabriel continues an examination of the prophetic tradition, focusing today on Samuel and asking how we can carry on the prophetic tradition in our Christian communities today.

In Amos, we hear "surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing his plans to the prophets." We need to look at the overall prophetic tradition; too often in Orthodoxy we hear only prophecies perceived to be messianic. But the field is much wider. Listen in to part one as Fr Gabriel discusses prophecy and the prophetic tradition in general.

This glorious festival, so central to our understanding of what it means to be a Christian and specifically an Orthodox Christian, often goes by with little notice when it doesn't fall on a Sunday. But this year it does; please listen to this important message.

After a month of vacation, Fr. Gabriel returns to talk about dealing with factions in the church. Paul is, of course, the authority here, especially in the Corinthian context, where the factions were split along personality cult lines. But the message Paul brought—to avoid dissension and to be of the same mind and the same judgment—remain relevant in our current situations, especially when we consider some alternative ways to translate these terms.

Chapter 5 of Matthew sets up the Sermon on the Mount, with our Lord giving an introduction to the Kingdom of God. In chapter 6, he moves into the sort of behavior and attitudes that should hold sway among members of the Kingdom, beginning with singleness of vision.

Fr Gabriel looks at the call of the disciples in the Gospel, then uses insights from that text to inform our reading of the lives of the North American Saints.

Fr Gabriel invites us to consider the saints who are important to us, both those we need who may have come uninvited into our lives and also those we want to have as companions. Personal notes here, but please think about your own list.

Fr. Deacon Ted Brinegar, who serves at St. Anthony, brings home a collection of insights into the meaning of Pentecost, not as an historical marker, but as a living experience for us today. Deacon Ted is involved in a unique ministry which we invite you to check out here: Foxhole Homes Mission.

Fr Gabriel invites us to dig deep and understand the issues that came to a head at the First Council, particularly in the tireless labor of St. Athanasius, who championed the phrase "God became human in order that humans might become divine...again."

This week Father Gabriel chose to expound the lesson from Acts. It's all about freedom, the only freedom that Christ offers, which is the only freedom that matters in the long run. As St Paul says, "for freedom Christ has set us free. Therefore, do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Listen in. (Acts 16:16-34)

Thomas the doubter? Fr Gabriel objects and offer five reasons why Thomas was not doubting but seeking to have the same experience the others had...and what that might mean for our lives.

Come along and imagine being present on Palm Sunday as Jesus rides into Jerusalem. What's it all about? Join in.

We talk a lot about the ministry of service, or diakonia, in the church. What is it exactly? This passage from Mark is key to our understanding. Listen in. (Mark 10:35-45)

This Sunday Fr Deacon Ted Brinegar weaves together themes from the Ladder by St John Climacus, the Annunciation, and the previous Sundays in Lent to bring a powerful message about our lenten journey.

Veneration of the Cross Sunday gives us an opportunity to see what the season is all about and how counter-cultural it is in American society. Listen in. (Mark 8)

Fr Gabriel looks at the changes becoming Orthodox requires, a look that leads into the veneration of icons and what it means for us all.

Some thoughts for the beginning of the Great Fast on this Sunday of the Expulsion of Adam and Eve and Forgiveness Vespers. (Matthew 6:16-21)

Fr Gabriel compares the inheritance received by those who exhibit compassion in feeding the hungry to the inheritance received by the prodigal son. Listen in.

The story of the prodigal son should rather be called the prodigal father, when you look at the parable from another angle. Fr Gabriel gives a quick look at this week's parable. (Luke 15)

This week Father Gabriel invites us to consider why the pharisee's prayer is ineffective and why the publican's prayer is effective with an eye to our own prayer life. (Luke 18)