Delight in the Law of God: Sermons on the Beatitudes and the Commandments of God

Publication Data: Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox Studies, 2009
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: 138
Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.3 cm × 13.8 cm × 0.9 cm
Additional Information: two-color printing
ISBN: 978‒0‒911165‒85‒2

   
by Protopresbyter James Thornton

“...[M]any Orthodox Christians are inadequately familiar with the fundamental teachings of Christ, particularly as set forth in His imperishable Beatitudes. This is unquestionably true, despite the fact that the Beatitudes comprise the Third Antiphon of the Divine Liturgy, which is chanted, with appointed verses, by the choir on most of the Sundays of the liturgical year. Contemporary Orthodox Christians are likewise unfamiliar with the full meaning and import of the Ten Commandments, and the Two Commandments of Christ, even if they know, or have often read or heard, the texts. Nonetheless, the Beatitudes and the Commandments (and the Beatitudes are Commandments, as the Fathers remind us) are the most essential of the essential teachings of Christianity, since they establish for us the basis and means for beginning the journey to eternal life and union with God.”
—“Preface and Acknowledgements”

CONTENTS

   Preface and Acknowledgements
Twelve Sermons on the Beatitudes
   Sermon One
      Introduction
   Sermon Two
      “Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit”
   Sermon Three
      “Blessed Are They That Mourn”
   Sermon Four
      “Blessed Are the Meek”
Sermon Five
      “Blessed Are They Which Do Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness”
   Sermon Six
      “Blessed Are the Merciful”
   Sermon Seven
      “Blessed Are the Pure in Heart”
   Sermon Eight
      “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”
   Sermon Nine
      “Blessed Are They Which Are Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake”
   Sermon Ten
      “Blessed Are Ye, When Men Shall Revile You, and Persecute You, and Shall Say All Manner of Evil Against You Falsely, for My Sake”
   Sermon Eleven
      The Beatitudes in the Gospel of Saint Luke
   Sermon Twelve
      Summation
Twelve Sermons on the Commandments of God
   Sermon One
      “I Am the Lord Thy God.... Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me”
   Sermon Two
      “Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image”
   Sermon Three
      “Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord Thy God in Vain”
   Sermon Four
      “Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy”
   Sermon Five
      “Honour Thy Father and Thy Mother”
   Sermon Six
      “Thou Shalt Not Kill”
   Sermon Seven
      “Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery”
   Sermon Eight
      “Thou Shalt Not Steal”
   Sermon Nine
      “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbour”
   Sermon Ten
      “Thou Shalt Not Covet...Any Thing That Is Thy Neighbour’s”
   Sermon Eleven
      “Thou Shalt Love the Lord Thy God with All Thy Heart, and with All Thy Soul, and with All Thy Mind”
   Sermon Twelve
      “Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”
   Index of Names