From antiochan.org, rongolini.com and dynamispublications.org:
Daily Readings:
Saints/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Fast of the Nativity
Scriptural Readings:
2 Kingdoms 3:6, 17-28, 33-39 (12/10-12/23) First Reading in Kellia: David, Type of Christ
David: Type of Christ 1 ~ Consent of the Governed: 2 Kingdoms 3:6, 20-21, 24-29, 33-39. especially vs. 21: “Then Abner said to David, ‘I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, and I will make a covenant with you, and you may reign over all that your soul desires.’ So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.” Two elements are necessary for the exercise of government: power to decree so that what is ordered comes to pass, and the consent of the governed. The first four chapters of Second Kingdoms account for the rise of David as the sole monarch over the full twelve tribes of Israel. In chapter one he is portrayed an honorable leader who survived the wrath of Saul, first King of all Israel, yet honestly mourned the king’s death and the loss of his friend Jonathan, the king’s son, and brooked no treachery.
In chapter two David is revealed as a man obedient to the Lord, for he returned to live among his own people of the tribe of Judah. The men of Judah crowned him as their king at Hebron in Judah while Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was crowned king over the other eleven tribes with the help of “...Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army...” (2 Kg. 2:8). War broke out between the forces of the two kings (2 Kg. 2:12-32), “...a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David” in which “...David grew continually stronger...” (2 Kg. 3:1).
The present reading from the third chapter captures the essence of the bitter feud between the commanding officers of the armed forces of the two kingdoms with Abner leading Ishbosheth’s armies and Joab leading David’s army. The subsequent chapter details the assassination of King Ishbosheth by two officers in his own army. They murdered the king in his sleep in the hope of gaining David’s favor, but gained only wrath and execution (2 Kg. 4:11,12). The intrigue and struggle within and between the two royal houses finally led to the reign of David for “...thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah” (2 Kg. 5:5).
In the present reading, the interplay of the two essential elements of power and consent become plain. The shift of power in David’s favor occurred as the result of a falling-out between King Ishbosheth and his commander, Abner (2 Kg. 3:7-11). Not only had Abner been the chief instrument of Ishbosheth’s anointing as king (2 Kg. 2:8, 9), but also subsequently, for two years, he “...was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul” (2 Kg. 3:6). Abner may be characterized as a ‘king-maker.’ Notice what he promised David during his meeting with him - the gathering of “...all Israel to my lord the king, and I will make a covenant with you, and you may reign over all that your soul desires” (vs. 21).
Sad was the treacherous murder of Abner by Joab (vss. 26,27). Still Abner’s shift of loyalty and death, together with the regicide of Ishbosheth, made sufficient power available to David that he could be acclaimed king over the entire nation. With Joab as the sole commander of his armed forces, David of Judah could rule all the tribes of Israel with a single center of command and control. It would be conjecture to consider how affairs might have gone had Abner survived after agreeing to deliver the other eleven tribes to David.
As events unfolded, the consent of the governed continued to accrue to David. His fervent disavowal of the murder of Abner by Joab (vss. 28,29) and his genuine grief at Abner’s death (vs. 33), certainly gained him popular support. Notice that as he lamented, ‘all the people’ came to him in his grief (vs. 34). Considering the rise and fall of world leaders, one learns much concerning power and consent from David and the people of his nation.
Preserve well Thy holy Church, O all-good Master, strengthening and confirming by the might of Thy hand the rulers of the nations, that Thy kingdom of all ages may come upon us.
Hebrews 7:18-25
Hebrews 7:18-2518There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19(for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God. 20This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, 21but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever’”— 22accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; 24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Luke 21:37-22:8
Luke 21:37-22:837Every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives, as it was called. 38And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple.
22Now the festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was near. 2The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; 4he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. 5They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. 6So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present.
7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.”
The Synaxarion:
December 10
Memory of the holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphos (?)
Saint Menas was an Athenian by birth, a cultured man, eloquent, and of high rank. Saint Eugraphos was his scribe. Both were from old families, which had been Christian for several generations. Saint Hermogenes held the position of Eparch. Born in paganism, he was converted to the Christian faith at the sight of Saint Menas' miracles. These three holy martyrs suffered at the same time for the faith in Alexandria under Maximin about 235.
Fifth Class Feast.
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