Musings from the High Desert

"To you has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God." Did our Lord really mean to bar others from understanding or did he imply something else. Listen in as Fr. Gabriel explores the meaning of the parable of the sower from a different angle (one taken by St. Cyril of Alexandria in the Tradition). (Luke 8:5-15)

"To you has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God." Did our Lord really mean to bar others from understanding or did he imply something else. Listen in as Fr. Gabriel explores the meaning of the parable of the sower from a different angle (one taken by St. Cyril of Alexandria in the Tradition). (Luke 8:5-15)

"Come ye out from among them" rings many bells for Fr. Gabriel from his own past. Today he considers what this text—which goes back to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Leviticus in both words and spirit—can mean for contemporary Christians (II Corinthians 6:16-7:1).

"Come ye out from among them" rings many bells for Fr. Gabriel from his own past. Today he considers what this text—which goes back to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Leviticus in both words and spirit—can mean for contemporary Christians (II Corinthians 6:16-7:1).

If "God is in the details," we need to pay attention to texts, especially when the details are so sparse in the biblical accounts. Listen in as Fr Gabriel looks inside the details of the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. (Luke 7:11-17)

If "God is in the details," we need to pay attention to texts, especially when the details are so sparse in the biblical accounts. Listen in as Fr Gabriel looks inside the details of the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. (Luke 7:11-17)

So what does the term "sinner" mean in this context? And what does it mean to be merciful, as God is merciful, in this context? Listen in as Fr. Gabriel muses on these things. (Luke 6:31-36)

So what does the term "sinner" mean in this context? And what does it mean to be merciful, as God is merciful, in this context? Listen in as Fr. Gabriel muses on these things. (Luke 6:31-36)

As we move into the Lukan cycle of readings, Fr Gabriel brings his perspective on the great draught of fishes and Peter's confession of his sinfulness. Christ receives Peter into the mission, despite the awareness of Peter's failures that lies behind the Lukan version of the calling of the first disciple (which is amplified beyond that of Matthew and Mark). (Luke 5:1-11)

As we move into the Lukan cycle of readings, Fr Gabriel brings his perspective on the great draught of fishes and Peter's confession of his sinfulness. Christ receives Peter into the mission, despite the awareness of Peter's failures that lies behind the Lukan version of the calling of the first disciple (which is amplified beyond that of Matthew and Mark). (Luke 5:1-11)

Suppose Jesus really meant it. Suppose he was not "gentle Jesus, meek and mild." Suppose he called people to accountability. What then? How shall we understand this parable? Listen in.

Suppose Jesus really meant it. Suppose he was not "gentle Jesus, meek and mild." Suppose he called people to accountability. What then? How shall we understand this parable? Listen in.

"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)

"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)