SEVENTEENTH WEEK AFTER PENTECOST

MON., September 1, 2008, Beginning of the Church Year; St. Simeon the Stylite (Venerable); 

                                                Synaxis of the Mother of God

1 Tim. 2:1-7     Luke 4:16-22

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he has anointed Me.”

(Luke 4:18)

At the start of His public ministry Jesus got up in the synagogue and read from the Book of Isaiah 61:1-9. As the Son of God, the Father chose Him to come to earth and save us, His people. Do we realize that the Spirit of the Lord is also upon us because we have likewise been anointed? We have been sealed with the Holy Oil of Chrismation at which time we were confirmed by the Holy Spirit. Do we know what this makes us? We are the chosen ones of God, blessed and consecrated by Him to become like Him. At the same time He pledges Himself to us, to be with us at all times, for He wants us to be deified. Yes, God wants us to mend our ways and become like Him. Recall what happened when Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor . He became dazzling white, for through His human flesh His divinity was shown. And, when we are deified, our glorified bodies will be the same at the end of time, for we will have become perfect as our Father is perfect. Do we truly realize what we have to do to achieve this? Just think, Jesus lived on earth for thirty-three years before He died and was resurrected and ascended back to heaven in His glorified body. We have been given so many years to live on earth before we die and are to undergo the same changes, that is, if we live the way we are supposed to. Since Jesus is the Second Person of the indivisible Holy Trinity, the Father and the Spirit are always with Him. He even said so a number of times while He was teaching His followers. He was never alone, for He was doing what the Father wanted Him to do. When we are initiated into the life of the Family of God through our Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation) and the receiving of the Holy Eucharist, GOD IS WITH US, and we are never alone. We commit ourselves to God, and, at the same time, God commits Himself to us. We put on the white robe of Christ and are to become Christ-like. The Father looks down at us and sees that we are His favored children in whom He is well pleased. We are sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God Who, by consecrating us with the “oil of gladness”, ordains us into the spiritual family of God as members of God’s royal priesthood, a chosen people of His own (1 Peter 2:1-10). Yes, we are to be of service to God in our lives as Jesus was during the time He lived as one of us. He showed us what it means to be an anointed one of God, what it is like to live filled with the life of Holy Spirit within us. How anointed do we feel? Better yet, how anointed do we act? Is the Spirit alive within us, or do we prefer to keep Him hidden? If He is the Life-giving Spirit, why do we not live like we have the life of God within us? Perhaps we ought to wish ourselves a “Happy Spiritual New Year” and try our hardest to keep it so all year.

“O eternal Word and Son, together with the Holy Spirit, Creator and Maker of all things visible and invisible, bless the beginning of this new Church Year; keep, in love and peace, all the faithful; and lead us to salvation and everlasting life, through the prayers of the Mother of God and all Your saints.” – Prayer from the Office of Vespers for the beginning of the Liturgical Year

TUE., September 2, 2008, St. Mammas (Martyr); St. John the Faster (Patriarch of Constantinople)

Eph. 2:19-3:7     Mark 11:11-23

“To announce a year of favor from the Lord.”

(Isaiah 61:2)

In years past, the comedian, Jerry Lewis was known for his yearly telethon for the cause of Muscular Dystrophy over Labor Day weekend. MS benefited from the awareness and monies raised for research in the finding of a cure. It was his favored charity. He wanted to promote research, the delving into the mysterious unknown, in order to find a cure so that the people inflicted with this disease would have a better life. We are God’s favored charity, His objects of true love. He wants to help us to delve into the mystery of each one of our lives and save us from the dis-ease of our sinful nature. He reminds us of this hopeful wish of His at the beginning of each Liturgical Year. He announces a year for us to live in His favor. And what should this mean to us? To be in God’s favor is for us to benefit from His care given to us from the overflowing goodness of His heart. He will bless us with His graces all year long. He will nurture us, encouraging us to grow more and more into His likeness. He is ready to shower us with His kindness by freely giving us what we need to sustain us through our toils in life. He reminds us that He is always at our beck and call if we but open our hearts up to Him as He is so willing to open up His heart to us. So, what are our plans for this coming Liturgical Year? On January first we seem to want to make all kinds of resolutions concerning dieting, exercise, smoking, drinking, spending money, swearing and so forth, anything that will seem to make our life on earth better physically and possibly emotionally. All of these good intentions pass away with time. Why do we not put a similar effort in things that do not pass away which would improve our life, that is, to help us live eternally in God’s kingdom of love. Would it be possible for us to consider some resolution, a promise to God that would upgrade our spiritual life? We always want to do things that will make us appear more appealing to others here on earth. How about us trying to put a bit more effort in bringing more beauty to our souls? Can we do better in our prayer life? How about being kinder to our co-workers, to the salesclerk, to the car mechanic, and anybody else we happen to meet along the way each day? How about being more patient with the homeless, with the handicapped, with the slow learner, with the unemployed, with the lonely and ill, with the elderly? Do we realize that, as St. Paul puts it, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” God willingly shows His favor to us at all times with no conditions attached. Why is it so hard for us to do the same to others in their need no matter what it is? Perhaps, this year, we could all learn to be more thankful and less judgmental. How about having an “attitude of gratitude” as a start for living our New Year in the Life-giving Spirit?

“Your Church, O Christ cries out to You: Bless this new year, that we may begin it with faith, live it in hope and accomplish, with love, that which You have ordained in Your divine providence for the salvation of all. Glory be to You!” – Prayer from the Office of Vespers for the Beginning of the Liturgical Year

WED., September 3, 2008, St. Anthimus (Bishop-Martyr); St. Theoktistus (Venerable-Martyr)

Eph. 3:8-21     Mark 11:23-26

“They will be called oaks of justice, planted by the Lord to show His glory.”

(Isaiah 61:3)

Who are these oaks of justice planted by God? It is us, each and every one of us whom the Lord has come to save. The quote above is in the passage Jesus read in the synagogue to launch His public ministry (Isaiah 61:1-11). Yes, He came to give glad tidings to us lowly sinners. He came to heal our broken hearts for we had lost our Creator through our sinning. He came to proclaim liberty to us captives, hostages of Satan’s sinful hold on us, and to release us from his death-hold. And above all, to all of us who would mourn because we had been separated from our God, He would comfort those who would repent and atone for the hurt we had caused our God through our sinful lives. On us He would place a diadem instead of the ashes from Hades, for we will have again become children of our Heavenly Father through Him. We would receive the oil of gladness and a glorious mantle, being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and thus have new life in God instead of a listless spirit. And because of all of this that Jesus Christ will do for us, we will be the seed planted by our Father to show His glory to the rest of the world. Let’s just think of this a bit further in this way. We are now children of God, the heirs to His heavenly throne. We are to be His image and likeness on earth and are to take our place with Him in heaven at the end of time. He daily shows us His favor, His unlimited blessings, the beneficence of His unconditional love. Now, what are we to do in turn? Because of His goodness to us, we are to bring His goodness, his favor, to others. We are to bring Him glory through the way we live our lives in union with Him. Yes, what we do in a good sense brings glory to our God. Anything otherwise is Satan trying to foul us up in our relationship with, the only One that should matter to us, God. Satan doesn’t love. He has no feeling whatsoever for anybody. He hates it when we get too close to our God. And the closer we get, the more he tries to get us to change our mind about God and our loving ways. The oak is the sturdiest of trees made of hard durable wood that can strongly withstand attacks against it. It is hard to splinter a true oak. This is what our God would like us to be for Him in successfully resisting Satan’s attacks on us throughout our life. So, what kind of oaks are we? What kind would we like to become for our God? Do we, or do we not want to become “royal oaks” in the kingdom of God ? Since we are the seed God has planted, what kind of oaks will we grow up to be for Him?

“Your kingdom, O Christ our God, is forever, and Your dominion is for all ages. With wisdom You created the universe, and You gave us the courses of the seasons. In behalf of all creation, we cry out in joy: Bless the crown of this year which You have allowed us to begin through Your goodness. Grant that we may sing without condemnation: O Lord, glory to You!” -

THU., September 4, 2008, St. Babylas (Bishop-Martyr); St. Moses (Prophet)

Eph. 4:14-19     Mark 11:27-33

We look forward to a New Year, for it brings the hope of a new start. Believing in God, we start up with a fresh outlook on life. And we most certainly will if we have eyes of faith and are searching to follow the TRUTH. How can we look forward to facing the unknown if we don’t believe in a God Who loves and cares for us? Because we live, that is, are alive, we grow. Because we are growing, we will feel unsafe at times because we will have doubts of doing things on our own in facing the unknowns in our lives. Because we have doubts, we will feel unsafe. Thus, we end up living in a vicious cycle of dread when we only depend on ourselves. When are we going to get it through our heads that we cannot do anything without God? He is the One Who gives us life and continues to sustain His life in us through the breath of His Holy Spirit. Can we learn from history? The Israelites doubted and continued to sin, yet God kept His word to them. He clearly told them through Isaiah: “I will lead the blind on their journey; by paths unknown I will guide them. I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. These things I do for them, I will not forsake them. They shall be turned back in utter shame who trust in idols (Is. 42:16-17).” Do we have a chance in getting ahead if we trust in anybody or anything else other than God? This is why the Church reminds us every year that we need to consider making a fresh start to renew ourselves in the life of God, the one and only true God who is alive and well within and around us. St. Paul warns us about living in the dark as non-believers do “in the futility of their minds; darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart, they have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to excess (Eph. 4:17-19).” He goes on to question us as to whether or not we have heard about Jesus and have truly learned what it means to live in the truth of God’s Word through Him? If we have, then, we should be able to get rid of the “old man” or “old woman” within us and put on the “new man” or “new woman”. And, thus, we will “put away the old self of our former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and put on the new self created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth (Eph. 4:22-24).” So, the beginning of each New Liturgical Year should remind us to clear the cob webs out of our minds and try to see more clearly what Jesus has taught us. Do we, or do we not have eyes of faith that lead us to believe more and more in the God Who loves us? Do we, or do we not have a heart that in turn loves God our Father? Do we, or do we not want to live a life in hope of seeing our Father face to face in the blissfulness of eternal life? If we do, then why do we not put our hand in His and follow Him the way we are being taught through His Word given to us through His Son? Can we allow the Holy Spirit to fully take charge of our life so that we can grow deeper in love with our God and more clearly follow His WAY into the unknowns of our life?

“O Lord, compassionate and loving, long-suffering and most merciful, hear our prayer and listen to the voice of our supplication. Make a favorable covenant with us, guide us along Your ways that we may live in Your truth, gladden our hearts that we may fear your holy name; for You are great and You perform wondrous deeds. You are the only God and none other is like You, O Lord. You are great in mercy and are able, in Your power, to assist, support, and save all those who place their hope in Your holy name; and to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor and adoration, now and for ever and ever. Amen.” – First Prayer of Light from the Daily Office of Vespers

FRI., September 5, 2008, SS. Zachary (Prophet) and Elizabeth

Eph. 4:17-23     Mark 12:1-12

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

(Mark 12:10)

Do we ever think about what Christianity really is? Is it just a moral code made up of a bunch of laws to follow? Is it a moral philosophy that explains what life is all about? Is it just a scheme to follow that makes living as a human being worth while? Would it surprise us to say that the answer to all of the above is NO? Jesus gives us the answer when He speaks to the Jews who are against Him when He tells them the parable of the tenant farmers and then refers to Himself as being the cornerstone. And what is a cornerstone, or capstone as some would say? It is the stone in the center of the arch that holds it up. Without it the arch would be no arch. So, without Jesus Christianity would not be what it is. Just think about this. If we did not know Jesus, would we be Christians? To be Christian is to have our own personal encounter with the person of Christ. We die and rise with Him at our Baptism. We are confirmed by the Holy Spirit as we are welcomed into the Family of God to become one with our Brother Jesus and God our Father. We partake of the pure Body and precious Blood of Jesus with each Eucharist we receive. If we love and follow the Word of God, then Jesus and God our Father will make their home in us. We encounter Jesus in the reading of Scripture, in our prayers and in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. Recall what happened to Paul on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians. He encountered Christ, and this meeting changed his whole life. He was originally blinded by the light of Christ, but, when he was baptized, the scales from his eyes fell away and he could see the truth with the eyes of faith which he now had. This is why he can say that when he was baptized he died to the old man and put on the new man in Christ Jesus. Paul never said that he had a conversion experience, but that he had an encounter with Christ that changed his life. He understood everything in a new way and opened himself up to Christ. Pope Benedict XVI recently stated what our own personal encounter with Christ means. “We can touch Christ’s heart and feel Him touch ours. Only in this personal relationship with Christ, only in this encounter with the Risen One do we really become Christians. And in this way, our reason opens, the whole of Christ’s wisdom opens and all the richness of the truth. Therefore, let us pray to the Lord to enlighten us, so that, in our world, He will grant us the encounter with His presence, and thus give us a lively faith, an open heart, and great charity for all, capable of renewing the world.” Paul was chosen by Jesus Christ to be and apostles to the gentiles. We are chosen by Jesus to be His apostles to all those we encounter in life. What kind of apostles are we? Are we open to the wisdom of Christ so that we can share it with others? What kind of a personal relationship can we say that we have with Jesus? Are we willing to improve it? Why not? And, if not, can we still call ourselves Christians? After all, didn’t Jesus tell us that He would not leave us orphans?

“By dwelling in a Virgin’s womb, Christ my Savior, You appeared to Your world as God-man, truly unchanged and unconfused. You clearly promised to be always with Your servants. And so, through the intercession of her who bore You, grant peace to all Your flock.” – Prayer from the Office of Sunday Nocturne

SAT., September 6, 2008, Miracle of the Archangel Michael at Colossa; St. Eudoxius and Companions (Martyr)

1 Cor. 14:20-25     Matthew 25:1-13

SUN., September 7, 2008, 17TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST; Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross;

                                               Pre-feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God; St. Sozon (Martyr)

Gal. 6:11-18     John 3:13-17