The Scriptural Deacon

As I reflected upon this Sunday’s readings for the Divine Liturgy (Ephesians 5:9-19; Luke 12:13-21), Oscar Wilde’s great novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” kept coming into my mind. There are many parallels that come through when we look at the two stories side by side. This morning I would like to pull out a few points for us to think about and pray through in the week ahead. In the novel, an artist name Basil paints this beautiful picture of a young, handsome, man named Dorian Gray. About the time that he finishes the painting a friend of the artist, Lord Henry, shows up and is intrigued not only by the painting but the beauty of Dorian himself. Lord Henry tells him that he needs to get everything out of life that he can get. Yes Dorian, Lord Henry says “Live life to its fullest, all for the self and nothing else.” He basically corrupts Dorian’s mind by convincing him that life is about his good looks and being completely self-indulgent at all times. Very simi...

I have always been intrigued by the Flood and its place in Salvation History. Because nothing really changes after the Flood. Noah and his family are the same when they come out as when they went in the Ark. This is displayed by the fall of Noah soon after they make their exit from the Ark. Yes, God does make a new covenant with him and the entire creation, but basically, we are where we started at in Genesis 6. There is just a lot fewer people and creatures around. Then again, what is at the heart of this story? Is it not two-fold? First, that it demonstrates that one day God himself will have to take our flesh upon himself to truly change man and the world. This change cannot be achieved from outside forces like the weather but must come from the inside out. It must come from the very hand of the God who made the world. Second, this story amplifies the problem of Evil that God will have to one day conquer. It demonstrates for us that sin and death have spread to all...