From antiochan.org, biblegateway.com, rongolini.com and dynamispublications.org:
Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Fast of the Nativity
Scriptural Readings:
Exodus 32:1-7, 15-28 (12/23-1/5) Fourth Reading in Kellia: Moses as a Type of Christ
Foreshadows IV ~ Sin and Shame: Exodus 32:1-7, 15-28 SAAS, especially vs. 27: “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’” There are idealists today who long to return the Christianity to the ‘New Testament Church,’ a fantasized entity of pure and uncorrupted fellowship and practice. Such longing springs from uninformed thinking and failure to read Holy Scripture with the Church. Saint Paul points out “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). Sin clings to all men. Even among those who knew the Lord Jesus in the flesh, even among the beloved Twelve whom the Lord Himself chose, there were those “...who would betray Him” (Jn. 6:64). And after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, still there were those who tried to trouble the faithful and “...pervert the Gospel of Christ” with their own ideas (Gal. 1:7).
The present passage records one more example from the long history of the People of God in which men from among the chosen took upon themselves to fashion the Faith to their own liking. Yes, there have been heretics and schismatics who have asserted themselves and their God-given liberty “...as an opportunity for the flesh...” (Gal. 5:13). Sadly, sin does arise in the Church and does bring shame on God’s People and the Gospel of Christ. Read this present passage carefully and learn how easily you may be corrupted (Ex. 32:7).
Further, pray to God that He will aid you and all of us to remain honorable members of His Church and heirs of His Kingdom. A symptom of which to be wary, one that should alert us to spiritual danger, is impatience with those whom God has provided to guide the Church. Let us be cautious when we find irritation in our hearts toward our Bishops or Priests. “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered...” (vs. 1). They grew restless waiting for the Prophet to return, and like a mob, they descended on Aaron not to express fears and concerns, but to demand action. Notice the two imperative verbs, “Rise up and make us gods....” (vs. 1). How ready they were to cast Moses aside rather than to wait until God should return him to them (vs. 1). “Be subject unto God, O my soul, for from Him is my patient endurance....I shall not be moved from hence” (Ps. 61:5,6).
Next, be attentive to the subtle temptation of making gods in your own image. There is a special danger in this scientific age to discount the possibility of falling into idolatry. The action of the Israelites seems so unsophisticated, demanding “...gods that shall go before us” (Ex. 32:1). Yet, modern thinkers have shown how capable we are of being captivated by things and ideas, of falling into the trap of giving persons, programs, movements, or theories the devoted attention and obeisance that is due to God alone. Doing so is idolatry. It is the fashioning of other gods. The temptation is especially active when we are inconvenienced, fearful, or insecure. “Let the peoples give Thee praise, O God, let all the peoples praise Thee” (Ps. 66:3).
Finally, in this passage there is a warning against another sin sure to shame us before God: desiring to have our religion be nothing but feasting and dancing, craving only the pleasures, and being unwilling to undertake any of the struggle and demands required for being “...on the Lord’s side...” (Ex. 32:26). What of the four seasons of fasting, what of the need for self-examination and confession, what of regular attendance at worship, what of sacrificial giving? Let us beware of becoming ‘scattered’ as ‘prey’ for our ‘enemies’ (vs. 25).
“O Lord, before Thee is all my desire, and my groaning is not hid from Thee. For in Thee have I hoped, O Lord; Thou wilt hearken unto me, O Lord, my God”(Ps. 37:9,15).
James 1:19-27
James 1:19-27 (King James Version)
19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Mark 10:17-27
Mark 10:17-27 (King James Version)
17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
The Synaxarion:
December 23
Fourth Pre-festive Day of the Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ
Memory of the Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete (+under Decius, 249-251)
These holy martyrs belonged to different localities and cities on the island of Crete. They suffered martyrdom under Decius in 250. Their names are Theodulos, Saturninus, Euporos, Gelasios, Eunician, Zoticos, Agathopos, Basilidos, Evarestos, and Pompios.
Fifth Class Feast.
Troparia: of the Pre-festive Period of the Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, of the Ten Holy Martyrs of Crete, and of the Church Patron. Kondakion of the Pre-festive Period of the Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ (December 20).
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