From dynamispublications.org:
DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
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Proverbs Selections: Hierarch (11/11-11/24) First Vesperal Reading: John Chrysostom-Repose
Christ the Wisdom of God: Proverbs 10:8,7: 3: 3:13-15, 17-18; 8:32, 34, 4, 12, 14, 17, 5- 9; 22:20; 15:4 SAAS, especially vss. 10:8, 7: “The remembrance of the righteous is with eulogies....The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the righteous man.” It is deeply nurturing to one’s soul to read these selected verses from Proverbs prayerfully on the Feast Day of one of the great Hierarchs of Christ who knew Divine Wisdom intimately and served Him faithfully. These verses reveal the nature of true servants of Divine Wisdom, those called the ‘righteous.’
Here’s what these verses say: those who remember to eulogize the righteous do so because they discern the blessing of the Lord is upon the heads of the Saints who found true Wisdom and discernment incarnate in the God-Man, Jesus Christ. The profits gained from Him are better than gold, silver, precious stones, long life, and riches and glory of every sort. Having law and mercy in all of His words and deeds, the Lord Jesus spoke with authentic righteousness. Indeed, hearken to Him, for He teaches everything needed to really understand the issues of life. He gives to everyone who will love Him in return, knowledge, understanding counsel, salvation, strength and discernment. He truly loves those who love Him. Be astute; receive instruction from Him; obey him; and learn new things that are true, righteous, and have nothing crooked, false, or twisted in them. As you understand this, it will be evident that the Lord Jesus is the Source of Wisdom and all true knowledge. Be encouraged, put your hope in Christ, guard your relationship with Him, and you will be filled with the Spirit.
In the Gospels, the Lord Jesus Himself tells of a field where an incredible fortune lay buried, awaiting discovery and appropriation (Mt. 13:44). Blessed is the man who finds that hidden treasure buried in the field [It actually is his heart], and then sells all he has to obtain a small place at the feet of the Lord of all. Such a person is blessed for recognizing Truth when coming face to face with Him. Any mortal who finds Christ understands the insignificance of every treasure of gold and silver, precious stones, or whatever, compared to the Eternal Himself.
Remember: the tempter left the Lord Jesus when he discovered that he could neither resist Him nor overcome Him (Lk. 4:13)! But there were wise fishermen who knew Him and who discerned the unequaled value of His call to follow Him. After all, He is Life and the source of life Who bestows “...length of days and years...” from His right hand (Pr. 3:17).
Righteousness, law, and mercy proceed from His mouth. If there is any doubt in your heart, then search His words, not just with your mind, but in your heart, and you will hear ‘sacred things’ and true from His lips (Pr. 8:6). There is no aspect of the Law of God that Christ does not uphold. He affirms all that was given through Moses and the Prophets and gives it true perspective in two simple commandments: to “...love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” and to “...love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt. 22:37,39). Christ our Wisdom came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Mt. 5:17).
The humble and meek, the repentant, and the poor in spirit shall ever find a place at His feet, for their tears are accepted and their cries are heard by Jesus our Lord (Lk 7:38; 23:42). Only the hypocrite and the self-righteous do not need Christ Jesus our Savior (Mt. 23:12). Many have been surprised to discover that “...no man ever spoke like this Man” (Jn. 7:46). Listen, Beloved! “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Eph. 1:7,8).
O all-compassionate Jesus! Receive now this small supplication as Thou didst receive the widow’s two mites; keep us from all enemies and rescue us who cry unto Thee. Alleluia!
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