We had hoped the young King Solomon, in his request to the Lord for wisdom, would avoid the typical temptations that come with power and prestige. But the frailty of the human ego shows itself again in the wayward path Solomon takes in seeking not the Lord, but wealth and security in other gods and earthly alliances. In this line of biblical kings, is there any hope that one would lead according to the commandments of the Lord, and walk in His ways?
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If you had only one wish, what would it be?
The young King Solomon asked not for long life, nor riches, nor victory over his enemies. We learn from the story in I Kings that the Lord was pleased that Solomon instead asked for a "listening heart," to govern and discern what is right. Fr. Timothy Lowe reminds us that the right beginning, the initial baptism and the right confession of faith doesn't necessarily secure God's favor. It's in the doing and walking in faithful obedience, ever mindful of the condition, "If you keep my commandments, then I will lengthen your days." Listen to this episode or read the interview transcript. 
If we claim to live as a servant of God, a doulos tou theou, we must reckon with the daily choice: Do I serve and protect my own interests and my own life? Or serve the will of God, even at the cost of my own comfort and life?
Fr. Chris Salamy compares the story of the man, Adam, in the Garden of Eden with the story of the man, Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane. He reminds us that serving our own wills surely ends in death, while serving the will of our Heavenly Father opens unto life. Fr. Chris Salamy is the author of The Way of the Warrior Saint: How to Live a Crucifixional Life. Listen to this episode or read the interview transcript. 
Who is the real David? On the one hand, a humble shepherd boy who courageously obeys the Lord and is anointed king of Israel. On the other hand, adulterer and murderer in his dealings with Bathsheba and Uriah. On the first hand, sorrowfully repentant, and Psalmist. On the other hand, abandons his duty in providing justice for his daughter, Tamar, who is raped by David's firstborn. On the first hand, commissions his successor, Solomon, to keep the commandments of the Lord and to walk in faithfulness. On the other hand, in his final dying words, entrusts his personal vendettas to Solomon to carry out vengeance against those who humiliated him.
Fr. Timothy reminds us, "It's not how we begin life, but how we end it." Lent shows us we aren't exceptional, standing in need of God's mercy. "No one is good, but God alone. Do not imagine otherwise. It is the only corrective to our egos." Listen to this episode or read the interview transcript. 
Not long after the Lord establishes his shepherd, David, over his people Israel, does King David turn to devour his own flock. Bored and distracted at home while his armies fight the king's battles, David takes another man's wife. To cover up his adultery, he betrays and murders his loyal and faithful servant, Uriah the Hittite.
We are reminded again through this story that, "No one is good but God alone," and "Whoever would be greatest must be servant of all." Fr. Timothy Lowe suggests, "If you say these things and repeat them, trust me, it will finally sink in and live there and be the corrective to all temptations." Listen to this episode or read the interview transcript. 
Safe from his enemies and finally secure in his own palace, King David desires to build the Lord a house of cedar. The Lord reminds David through His prophet Nathan that the ark of the Lord moves and dwells in a tent. The Lord has no need for a house. Furthermore, it is the Lord who establishes David and his house, and not the other way around. Taking him from the pasture, the Lord has established David as shepherd over His flock. The warning for His doulos is to attend to the business of caring for the people and not to be distracted with the business of buildings.
The story allows us to pause and ask, Who builds? Whose house? Whose glory? Read the full episode transcript here. 
Constantly searching for impressive candidates - from elected officials, to job postings, to new recruits on parish councils - we hope to find leaders in whom we can trust. Yet every leader who comes from the seed of Adam falls short.
Fr. Timothy Lowe looks to the story of God's regret that He had made Saul king over Israel, a similar regret we hear in Genesis after God had created man. From this harsh reality emerges our only hope in submitting to the Lord as King and His mercy through His anointed One. Read the full episode transcript here. 
Good leaders manage expectations. Good leaders provide clarity and a path forward to eliminate surprise and disappointment. Since the beginning, the Lord makes it clear that all will be well for those who do His will.
As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel, He reiterates His Father's expectation. The crowds who follow Him are impressed with His prophesies, healings, and mighty works, yet they hold false expectations about entering the Kingdom. Jesus addresses their self-deception, "Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." So why are the crowds astonished at His teaching? Read the full episode transcript here. 
What's the connection between functioning as a servant of God and hoping in the inheritance as a son of God?
Fr. Paul Hodge remembers the aphorism of Fr. Thomas Hopko of blessed memory, "Beware of consolation before the crucifixion." Like a child who wants dessert before dinner, we may want all of the glory of God's promises now. Looking to Romans 8, we are reminded of the order and the responsibility to receiving God's gift. Sharing in the inheritance as sons comes after suffering with Christ, and not before. Read the full episode transcript here. 
What do you wish for in this new year? Imagine if your every wish stirred an impulse to serve your neighbor with the very thing you first desire from them?
Fr. Timothy Lowe turns to Matthew 7 which challenges our presumptions and turns the worldly order upside-down. The easy path leads to destruction while the narrow gate leads to life. Those who look like sheep may be ravenous wolves, so you must know them by their fruits. And those who fall prey to false teaching may need to check their very wishes and desires against the fruit of Christ's teaching. Read the full episode transcript here. |
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