Fr Gabriel draws to a close considerations of Paul's epistle to the Galatians, in light of the broad view of Paul as a faithful Jew who saw in Jesus the Messiah and then learned how to communicate his faith to people not of Jewish background.

Moving on with themes of the Old Testament that carry over into the New, Fr Gabriel considers the way in which people experienced God and how that affects our understanding as Christians.

This is an important sermon on this Sunday when many Protestants will be celebrating Reformation Day. The fallout from the Reformation led to a misunderstanding of Paul that dominated American Christian thinking for centuries. Listen in as Fr Gabriel tries to unpack the problem and offer an alternative reading of Paul.

Fr. Gabriel continues his thoughts on themes from the Old Testament that come over into the New Testament. This time, the concept of "resident aliens" who receive honor and privilege in a foreign land...and how the concept has turned over and over again in history.

Deacon Ted Brinegar pulls together all the themes on this important Sunday in the Church Year in his sermon for the day.

Many years after concluding his series on establishing the mission, Fr Gabriel reflects on the future of mission in light of Hebrews 13:7, a text for the Fathers of the 7th Council. Back to the roots, Fr Gabriel muses on Christ's initial proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Whatever Christ intended it was not religion.

The number of miracles in the Gospels are relatively few; Jesus does not depend on wonderworking skills and draws no attention to himself as healer, but in this chapter of Luke there are three occasions on which the compassion of God shines through his humanity; first with the centurion's servant, secondly with the mother of the deceased young man, and lastly through calling attention to the shape of his ministry in conversation with disciples of John the Forerunner. In this week's homily we deal with the middle one of these acts of compassion. (Luke 7:11-16)

Fr Gabriel reflects on the way in which our Lord calls us to a higher ethic than one based on simple reciprocity. We are not called to fall in love with our enemies or to treat them like family, but we are called to treat them with that open-ended, compassionate love which God demonstrates to his people. We are called to mercy, which is a divine virtue, and hence we cannot enter this life without the support of the Christ who went through death and resurrection for us. (Luke 6:31-36)

Deacon Ted Brinegar considers the meaning of the two commandments and their unity in the life of the Christian. Christ always upends the questions that come to him and asks challenging questions in response. Listen in. (Matthew 22:35-46)

What's at the heart of this parable's message? Could it be that we overlook the natural grace that is given us in an ongoing manner simply because we are alive and active?