by | | Biblical Reflections by Fr. John, Uncategorized
‘Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John’ Reflections on the Nativity Gospels (9) Luke 1:5-25 One of the most esteemed icons in the Orthodox Church depicts Christ in his majesty as Pantocrator (ruler of the universe), and flanked by the...
by | | Biblical Reflections by Fr. John
‘Out of Egypt I have called my Son’ Reflections on the Nativity Gospels (8) Matt. 2:13-23 The infant Jesus faced a devious and savage enemy in King Herod of Judea, who plotted to slay the child as a perceived rival. This vicious tyrant thus brought about the massacre...
by | | Biblical Reflections by Fr. John
‘They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy’ Reflections on the Nativity Gospels (7) Matt. 2:1-12 The Magi, or Wise Men, have always been a blessed part of the Christmas season, as well as enjoying a prominent role in Western religious art. Did Matthew perhaps have an...
by | | Biblical Reflections by Fr. John
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah…’ Reflections on the Nativity Gospels (6) Matthew 2:1-12 ‘A light for revelation to the Gentiles.’ So the elder Symeon called the baby Jesus as he held in infant in his arms (Lk 2:32). The clearest symbol of this enlightenment...
by | | Biblical Reflections by Fr. John
‘We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him’ Reflections on the Nativity Gospels (5) Matt. 2:1-12 When the ‘fullness of the time had come,’ St. Paul tells us, God sent forth His Son (Gal. 4:4). The most impressive manifestation of Christ’s...
by | | Biblical Reflections by Fr. John
“All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord…’’ Reflections on the Nativity Gospels (4) Matthew 1:18-25 In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to...
