The Genealogy of Jesus Christ (Luke 3: 23-38) - Rev. Fr. K. K. John by St. Luke Orthodox Mission Church

In the Gospel Reading today, taken from St. Matthew 1:18-25, we hear about the Angel Gabriel visiting St. Joseph, and announcing to him that St. Mary, his betrothed wife, is pregnant with child and will give birth to the Son of God, who will bring salvation to all mankind. This news was not easy to “stomach” for St. Joseph. In all honesty, he had to make tough decisions that went against the conventional wisdom and tradition of his time. He should have, and could have, according to the Jewish Law, had St. Mary stoned for having a child without him. But rather than doing that, he kept everything secretly in his heart, knowing that there is a greater purpose for what is happening.

In the Gospel reading today we hear about the birth of St. John the Baptist, who would become the forerunner to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. St. John made a pathway for Christ, who would go on to the Cross, the grave and finally be seated at the right hand of God in power and glory. In the Gospel of St. Luke it states that when St. John was born, everyone asked, “Who will this child become, for the hand of God is with him.” This former question is one that is asked not only by those standing and witnessing the birth of St. John; but also by us parents today living in the 21st century.

Believing or having belief in a doctrine, theology, or moral code, etc. is often considered a condition of the mind. That is, believing is a person’s willful consideration in accepting or rejecting an idea. We might understand this as having a particular political, social, religious or economic viewpoint. For example, one might say, “I believe in conservative values.” Or conversely, “I believe in liberal ideas.” Therefore, believing is a commitment we have toward an idea or system of thought. In the Gospel reading today we read/hear about the visit of Elizabeth to St. Mary. Elizabeth says, “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (St. Luke 1:45)

In the Bible the word is normally used as a noun. For instance in the Gospel Reading today we hear about how the Angel Gabriel visited St. Mary to announce to her that she will be with child through the power of the Holy Spirit. During that visitation the Angel said to St. Mary that, “she has found favor with God.” (St. Luke 1:30) Here, the Angel is using the word as a noun. In the Greek the word “charis” is closely connected to favor. It could also mean grace or kindness.

In the Gospel Reading today, which many of us are familiar with, the Angel Gabriel is charged with announcing the good news to Zachariah, a Priest at the Temple, that his wife, Elizabeth, who has been barren since the time of marriage to her old age, would give birth to a son, who would be called John, the one to prepare the way for Jesus Christ the Messiah. Such an announcement, even by an Angel of God, could not do enough convincing for Zachariah to believe, especially since in his mind his wife was beyond the human capacity to give birth. The Angel Gabriel, responding to Zachariah, made him mute, as a form of punishment for his disbelief or negative response.

https://stlukemission.org/sermons/dedication-of-the-church

In the Gospel reading today Jesus asks, “Who do men say that I am?” His disciples surrounding him said, “Some say you are Elijah or a prophet.” Jesus then asks, “Who do you say that I am?” The majority of the disciples gave Jesus a blank stare, probably because, honestly speaking, they just didn’t know or they were a bit apprehensive on giving a wrong response. Whatever the case may be, Peter, says, “You are Christ the Son of the living God.” Because of that bold and probably surprising answer, Jesus bestows up Peter the title of rock or in Aramaic, Kepha. Indeed a title of honor. But right after, when Jesus was speaking of his forthcoming death and burial, Peter step up to Jesus and says that he will prevent him from dying. Immediately Jesus says, “Get behind me Satan.”

We have spoken much in this last year and a half about on how to speak to each other and how to use our words wisely. In the Gospel reading today Christ once again speaks to our consciousness, advising us not to insult our brothers or sisters through the use of our words.

Read more: https://stlukemission.org/sermons/dont-use-insults

In modern times the term “Achilles heel”, which originated from the above mythological story, eventually evolved into defining a person’s “one” area of weakness in life.

In the Gospel reading today, taken from St. Luke 18:18-27, Jesus Christ tells the rich man that he “lacks one thing,” that is, he should sell all his possession and follow God. The rich man “lacks this one thing” because the most important “thing” in his life is money and not God. It was his greatest weakness, which he could not get a handle on. In other words, it was his “Achilles heel!” It was his area of weakness. We could even say that was the area of his life that he gave more importance than God.