Scripture Readings
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Today’s commemorated feasts and saints
Forefeast of the Meeting. Martyr Tryphon of Lampsacus near Apamea in Syria (250). Martyrs Perpetua, a woman of Carthage, and the Catechumens: Saturus, Revocatus, Saturninus, Secundulus and Felicitas (202-203). Ven. Peter Galata, Hermit, near Antioch in Syria (429). Ven. Vendemianus (Bendemianus), Hermit, of Bithynia (ca. 512). Ven. Bridget (Brigid) of Ireland (523).
Before Reading the Holy Scripture
Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure light of Thy divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy gospel teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy blessed commandments, that trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
1 Peter 4:1-11
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Mark 12:28-37
28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. 35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
ADAM, WHERE ARE YOU? By Geronta Symeon Kragiopoulos (+2015)
Homily 4: Are You Making Progress Toward God,
or Toward Your Own Idol?
The Parable of the Rich Fool [Luke 12:16-21]
[Part 10 of 15]
“Therefore, repentance, change, self-correction, abandonment of sin and positive action consist of this primary thing: ceasing from moving toward yourself, a halting of all this egocentricity and selfishness (in other words, this self-love and the careful attention to please the self), and moving instead toward God. This movement is nothing but love. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind … and your neighbor as yourself ’ [Matt. 22:37-39] . Love toward our neighbor exists within the same spirit. Nowadays, when people speak about love, love for them has become a personal pursuit for nourishment of the ego. In reality, however, true love ‘does not seek its own ’ [I Cor. 13:5], … but gives and is offered. One gives himself to God and to one ’s neighbor.”
Orthodox Agape by papademetrios
Blessed is the Kingdom
February 1, 2023 Abbot Tryphon
Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
The Divine Liturgy begins with the words, Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. This kingdom is our true home and our lives as Christians are centered around the great expectation of the coming of this kingdom, which shall be eternal. This kingdom is our true Fatherland, and this present life is meant as a time of preparation for this coming kingdom.
There is no promise of peace in this present life, but the kingdom to come will be filled with an eternal peace, the peace that passes all understanding. In this kingdom our entire being, our very souls, will be forever united with God and filled with a joy that is beyond our present comprehension. This present life passes quickly, but the life to come will be eternal.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
—
In Christ,
Sdn. Daniel Rudder
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