The Two Ways

Home Classes & Presentations The Two Ways

Why would Jesus first tell his disciples that if they enter a home and the home does not accept them, that they should then leave that town entirely and even shake the dust from their candles, then later say to them “Behold, I am sending you like sheep among wolves.”? How is it that his dining with Tax Collectors and sinners was in fulfillment of the old Law?

In this Advent series, Fr. Kendall looks back at the way that the Church Fathers understood the great change from the Old Testament to the New Testament: the revelation that Jesus Christ opened for us the gate and path that had been closed off to humanity since the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden. This is the Way of Perfection. And in doing so, they also teach us how to reconcile some of the most challenging parts of scripture and places that appear at first to be contradictory. Whereas in the beginning, God tried to teach the Israelites how to be Righteous, He sent His Son into the world to lead us along the Way of Perfection, and to truly go the additional mile, to give not only our cloak, but our coat as well.

Class Outline

Week 1

Week 1: Righteousness and Perfection

Fr. Ketterlin begins this Advent series with an introduction to the ways of Righteousness and Perfection. Drawing from the 3rd Century Christian work, the Syriac Book of Steps, we see that a great movement that Jesus caused in the spiritual life was to open the way of Righteousness, under the law and the Old Testament, to a Way of Perfection; from seeking to merely be good ourselves, to working for the salvation of others.

Week 2

Week 2: The Path of Righteousness

In this second week on Righteousness from Perfection, we focus on the Way of Righteousness, the first path and lower way that leads us to take on the journey toward Perfection.

Week 3

Week 3: The Ways of Perfection

In this third and final week, our attention shifts to the Way of Perfection, that higher way which our Lord Jesus both opened up for us and gave us the greater commands to follow. These are the commandments like: love your enemies; do not judge; and the ultimate commandments: Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect and Love as I have loved you.