Scripture and Tradition With Fr. Mitch Pacwa

Fr. Mitch talks about St. Paul’s explanation to the Corinthians of the Eucharist which he learned from Christians who came before him based on what Christ did the eve of His death.

Fr. Mitch looks at how after being mocked for trying to match the lofty wisdom of the Greek philosophers, St. Paul focuses on the crucified Christ as being the foundation of faith.

Fr. Mitch takes a look at St. Paul’s attempt to correct divisions within the Corinthian Church by emphasizing the significance of Jesus dying on the cross.

Fr. Mitch kicks off his study of St. Paul by examining his beliefs and teachings on the centrality of the Cross of Christ and its many effects on our spiritual lives.

Fr. Mitch takes a close look at chapter 66 of the book of the Prophet Isaiah, which marks the final chapter and explains the coming of the Lord and the destruction of the wicked.

Touching on new concepts in the Old Testament in Isaiah 65, Fr. Mitch discusses individual or group judgement by the Lord versus communal or national judgement and responsibility.

Fr. Mitch looks at Isaiah, chapters 63 & 64, and the evidence within that shows Lord making it clearly known that He is coming to save the city of Jerusalem.

Fr. Mitch finishes up Isaiah 61 and begins to look at Isaiah 62 & 63 which convey God’s promise not to give up on Jerusalem but instead, to transform her into a beautiful city.

Fr. Mitch begins looking at the core of Trito-Isaiah in chapters 60-62, specifically the Lord’s proclamation of salvation and even better things than returning to a homeland.

Fr. Mitch addresses the final oracle in Isaiah 58 and examines Isaiah’s correction of the Israelites when they presumed the Lord was indifferent to their half-hearted fasting.

Fr. Mitch continues in Trito-Isaiah by examining the message from the Lord for the Israelites returning from exile; a condemnation for those who strayed, and safety for the loyal.

Fr. Mitch begins his extensive examination of “Trito-Isaiah” or “third Isaiah”, which was written sometime after the dedication of the new Temple in 516BC.

Fr. Mitch looks at the second part of the “Isaiah Apocalypse” in chapters 26-27, where the children of Israel returning after their exile, to a rebuilt but unfortified Jerusalem.

Fr. Mitch looks at Isaiah 25, the middle of what is known as the “Isaiah Apocalypse” and the song of praise to the Lord in response to Him freeing His people from exile in Babylon.

Fr. Mitch examines the “Isaiah Apocalypse” which speaks of the destruction of the world, judgment of all nations, the redemption of Israel, and the resurrection of the dead.

Fr. Mitch looks at why the Lord commanded the exiled children of Israel to prepare themselves to hear God’s proclamation of salvation and institution of a new covenant with them.

Fr. Mitch looks at the Lord’s promises to not abandon His people, even though they were consistently unfaithful to Him as they worshipped false gods.

Fr. Mitch explores the Fourth Song of the Servant of the Lord found in Isaiah 52-53, describing the Suffering Servant who represents God’s suffering and sacrifice for humanity.

Fr. Mitch examines the lack of benefits the Egyptians, Assyrians and Babylonians gained from the subjugation and exile of the people of Israel, and to what this is testimony.

Fr. Mitch dives into Isaiah 51 and 52, examining the Lord’s commands to, “Listen to me!” along with pleas from Israel to the Lord to awaken and arise to his children’s defense.

Fr. Mitch points out the Lord’s answer to the children of Israel as they complained about exile in Babylon, while also discussing the third servant song in Isaiah 50.

In his LIVE, interactive Bible study, Fr. Mitch begins looking at the second servant song in Isaiah 49, describing the Messiah’s mission, glory, divine origin, and purpose

Fr. Mitch discusses one of the most influential Old Testament books in the history of the Church, Isaiah, noting Saint Jerome’s famous line that references this important book.

Fr. Mitch discusses how Isaiah 47 and 48 exposes Babylon’s shame and humiliation, and what punishment follows their sinful arrogance of loving pleasure and making divine claims.

Fr. Mitch discusses how the Lord confronts Israel as they bristle at His decision to position a Gentile, King Cyrus, as Israel’s “Messiah”, to set them free from the Babylonians.

Fr. Mitch discusses a Middle Eastern King’s use of camels in battle and also looks at a shocking announcement in Isaiah 44 and 45 surrounding a Gentile, Jerusalem, and the Temple.

Fr. Mitch studies Isaiah, chapter 44, as the Lord assures the exiled people of Israel of their future salvation and gives a strong critique of the foolish worship of pagan idols.

Fr. Mitch studies the ways the Lord’s prophet declares the Lord is the only God who will defeat the Chaldeans of Babylon and save the spiritually blind and deaf people of Israel.

Fr. Mitch studies the prophetic hymn of praise in Isaiah 42, while also commenting on how God deals with idolatry and how the Lord makes His truths clear for the deaf and blind.

Fr. Mitch looks at the first Servant of the Lord Song in Isaiah 42, making the distinction between it and the oracle of vocation which follows in Isaiah.

Fr. Mitch takes an in depth look at Isaiah chapter 41, where God puts the nations and their Gods on trial in order to demonstrate which deity is true, the Lord or their pagan gods.

Fr. Mitch looks at Deutero-Isaiah, or “second Isaiah,” which takes us back to Babylon of the late 540s BC, where the Lord summons Isaiah to be a prophet to the exiles.

Fr. Mitch breaks from his current study of Isaiah to connect with viewers by answering questions sent in via email to [email protected]

Fr. Mitch continues looking at the “Deuteronomistic History” found in Isaiah, and examines how King Hezekiah found goodness in suffering because it led him to repent of his sins.

Fr. Mitch continues his study of the historical narratives in Isaiah 37, namely the attack on Judah by the Assyrians and the events leading up to the siege of Jerusalem.

Fr. Mitch presents Isaiah 36-39, known as the “Deuteronomistic History,” one written at least 170 years after Isiah’s lifetime and also details his interaction with King Hezekiah.

Fr. Mitch breaks down the oracle of salvation the Lord sent to soothe the souls of the people of Israel and explains the dire situation they were in due to their rebellious nature.

Fr. Mitch takes a look at Isaiah 31-33 where the Lord continues to appeal to the people of Israel and instructs them to put their trust in Him instead of the Egyptian army.

Fr. Mitch discusses the warning prophecy for the people of Israel who rebel against God by trusting in Egypt’s Pharaoh instead of in God’s perfect timing and means of salvation.

In his LIVE, interactive Bible Study, Fr. Mitch continues discussing the woes to the people of Israel in Isaiah 29 and 30 for their lack of trust in the Lord.

Fr. Mitch discusses the drunkards of Ephraim and Judah, their destruction by Assyria and the salvation of the Lord “on that day” for the remnant of survivors who fled to Jerusalem.

Fr. Mitch looks at the oracles from the Lord in Isaiah, and how Judah’s trust in the Egyptian Pharaoh, led to the mentality of “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”

Fr. Mitch examines (Proto) Isaiah, chapters 21 and 22, the visions of catastrophe they describe, and the meanings behind these visions.

In his LIVE, interactive Bible Study, as we approach the seventeen hundredth anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea, he discusses some of the issues and problems in the Church, which led the Council to affirm the divinity of Christ and give us what we know and still recite each Sunday, the Nicene Creed.