Alive in Christ

Fr. Gabriel McHugh
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Weekly bible studies from Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church, Boulder, CO.

  1. FEB 12

    The Orthodox Faith Class Lecture 2: The Creed Continued

    In this lecture on The Orthodox Faith Class — The Creed Continued, Fr. Gabriel walks the catechism class through the latter portions of the Nicene Creed, focusing on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, explaining through the teaching of Saint Maximus the Confessor that Christ went to the cross willingly, submitting His natural human will to the divine will of the Father as the model for all of us. He also covers key creedal affirmations including the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father, the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, one baptism for the remission of sins, and the resurrection of the dead, challenging the class to ask themselves whether they truly "look for the resurrection" in their daily lives or merely recite the words, and reminding them that the Creed is not just a statement of belief but a prayer that strengthens us against the forgetfulness the devil tries to sow.

    1h 7m

  2. FEB 5

    The Orthodox Faith Class – Lecture 1: The Creed

    In this first lecture, Fr. Gabriel introduces the Nicene Creed as the foundational summary of Orthodox Christian faith. He emphasizes that the Creed is not just a statement of belief but a prayer, recited daily and during the Divine Liturgy, to remind us of who God is and what He has done. The first part of the class focuses on the opening lines of the Creed, affirming belief in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of all things visible and invisible. Fr. Gabriel explains the Trinitarian nature of God, the mystery of one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and discusses the unique roles each person of the Trinity plays in creation and salvation. He unpacks the meaning of “begotten, not made”, distinguishing the Son’s divine origin from creation, and reflects on the incarnation: God the Son becoming man for our salvation. This act bridges the infinite gap between God and humanity, allowing us to be restored, healed, and united to God. He concludes by reminding the class that Christ is the only true way to God, and that the Creed is rooted in Scripture, tradition, and the experience of the Church. Next week’s class will continue with the sections on Christ’s suffering, crucifixion, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit.

    58 min

  3. FEB 4

    2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (Feb 4)

    In this lecture on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Fr. Gabriel discusses Paul's teaching on how the gospel can be "veiled" to those who are perishing, exploring the theme of God's revelation to humanity from Adam's creation in the image of God through to the light of Christ shining in our hearts. He leads a thoughtful conversation about the mystery of why some people who don't profess faith seem joyful while some believers struggle, the nature of prayer as standing in the gap before God on behalf of others, and how God can work in people's lives in ways beyond our understanding, ultimately grounding the discussion in the Orthodox belief that God created the world out of nothing, continually sustains it by His will, and that what we call miracles are simply God acting outside His usual patterns.

    56 min

  4. JAN 28

    2 Corinthians 3:13-18 (Jan 28)

    In this lecture on 2 Corinthians 3:13-18, Fr. Gabriel explores Paul's teaching that when a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty — unpacking the paradox that true freedom comes not from casting off all discipline but through turning away from self and toward God, since habitual sin actually binds our free will. He reflects on the powerful closing verse about beholding the glory of the Lord "as in a mirror" and being transformed "from glory to glory," connecting it to the prayer of Saint Patrick and the promise that Christ can dwell in and around us in all things, and shares a personal encounter with a holy monk on Mount Athos to illustrate how the Holy Spirit can speak through others when our hearts are sincerely seeking God.

    52 min

  5. JAN 21

    2 Corinthians 3:10-12 (Jan 21)

    In this lecture on 2 Corinthians 3:10-12, Fr. Gabriel continues Paul's argument that the glory of the New Covenant in Christ far surpasses the fading glory of the Old, using the image of Moses descending Mount Sinai with a veiled face to illustrate how God's people once could only glimpse His glory from a distance and through strict external law. He explains that Christians are now called to something far greater — to behold the glory of God with unveiled faces and be transformed by it — and challenges the group to honestly examine whether they truly desire God above all else, reminding them that the yearnings and humbling struggles of life are ultimately meant to awaken in us a deeper hunger for the Kingdom of Heaven.

    54 min

  6. JAN 14

    2 Corinthians 3:4-9 (Jan 14)

    In this lecture on 2 Corinthians 3:4-9, Fr. Gabriel unpacks Paul's contrast between the "ministry of death" written on stone and the far more glorious "ministry of the Spirit," explaining that the Old Testament law served as a necessary external guide — like a parent's rules for a child — but was always meant to be internalized through the coming of Christ. He connects this to the catechumenate process in the Church and to the spiritual life of every Christian, emphasizing that we should not remain stuck merely following external rules but should strive, with God's grace and patient struggle, to have the law of God written on our hearts so that the far greater illumination made possible by Christ can transform us from within.

    54 min

  7. JAN 7

    2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (Jan 7)

    In this lecture on 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, Fr. Gabriel examines Paul's teaching that the Corinthian believers themselves are "living letters" of Christ, written not with ink on stone but by the Spirit of the living God on the tablets of the heart, contrasting the external letter of the Old Testament law with the internal transformation that Christ brings. He leads a rich discussion on what it means to "soften the heart," exploring how faith without works reflects a hardened heart closed to God and neighbor, and touches on the mystery of free will, the role of the devil, and how our response to trials — like the Covid pandemic — reveals the depth or shallowness of our trust in God, urging the group toward repentance, humility, and an honest inner life with Christ.

    1h 5m

  8. 12/10/2025

    2 Corinthians 2:15-17 (Dec 10)

    In this lecture on 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, Fr. Gabriel explores Saint Paul's imagery of Christ's triumphal procession, drawing a parallel between the Roman emperor's victory parade and Christ's ultimate victory over sin, death, and the devil, explaining that Paul sees himself as the incense-bearer offering praise to the triumphant Christ. He discusses how the preaching of the Gospel can seem like foolishness — a crucified God — yet is the true power of God, and reflects on the mystery of how each person will one day encounter Christ face to face, encouraging the group to focus not on the "last page" of the story but on faithfully living the current page of their lives, drawing closer to the Lord through humility and daily devotion.

    1h 4m
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About

Weekly bible studies from Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church, Boulder, CO.

Information

  • Creator
    Fr. Gabriel McHugh
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fr. Gabriel McHugh
  • Show Website
    Alive in Christ