"Which (commandments should I observe)?" says the rich man in today's story. This one word leads us into a consideration of his motivation and his willingness to hear the words of Christ, and the real meaning of "rich" and "poor" in Jesus's vocabulary. (Matthew 1916-26)

This text is all about forgiveness. Don't think of the "talent" as material wealth. Think of it as spiritual wealth. And remember the focus on "debt" in the Lord's Prayer, echoed in this story. Listen in as we see this lesson in the context of the gospel of Matthew and of the Church, to which it is addressed. (Matthew 18:23-35)

This week Fr. Gabriel explores the possible meaning of the additional verse, often left out of English Bibles, in which Jesus says that the particular demon in the child is only exorcised with "prayer and fasting." What could this have meant in the context of his ministry with the disciples? What can it mean for us today? (Matthew 17:9-16)

Matthew's Gospel is the only one with the additional story of Peter wanting to walk on water to Jesus when the disciples are in the boat alone and experience trials. We explore the surprising depth in the overall passage for Pentecost 9, along with the Gospel writer's overarching purpose of the Gospel writer in using the Peter story.

The feeding of the 5000 fits into the Gospel of Matthew at a strategic point. All of the gospels are written in such a way as to highlight each individual part in relation to the others. This story is no different. In this homily Fr Gabriel reaches especially toward the interpretation of the text by St. Hilary of Poitiers (310-367), known as "the Athanasius of the West" to highlight the text's meaning for our age.

Christ comes to us proclaiming the Kingdom of God, which comes to us via a two-part Gospel, each part of which connects to the other. The two parts are the forgiveness of sins and the alleviation of human misery. The story of the paralytic in Matthew 9 demonstrates these two aspects once again. In order for us to enact Christ's vision, we have to become a community of forgiveness and healing—but we are often held back. Listen.

This week we are given another healing story. As we always note these stories come to us on two levels: physical and spiritual. This week there is an added twist because the centurion asks on behalf of another. Listen in.

So often we think of these Councils as ancient history, but their message is clear. The Fathers were saving the Gospel in order to save the people. They were seeking to proclaim the Incarnation in all its glory. All these Councils are deeply important for your life and mine today. Listen in.

Simplicity and singularity of vision and purpose are the hallmarks of the week. Focus on the essentials, on what's central. Purity of heart is to will one thing, says Kierkegaard. St. Anthony of the Kievan Caves is a model, as are monastics in general. Avoid the distractions of life and focus on the Kingdom.

Fr. Gabriel focuses on discipleship, using the passage from Matthew 4 where the disciples are called as lead-in to the topic.