From antiochan.org, rongolini.com, dynamispublications.org, sor.cua.edu, and biblegateway.com:
Daily Readings:
Monday of the 31st Week after Pentecost
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Feast of the Venerable Euthymios the Great, Memory of our venerable Mother Xenia (Fifth century), Mor Yulius Ya`qub, Manjinikkara (1992)., Saint Clement, bishop of Ancyra (Ankara)
January 24
Memory of our venerable Mother Xenia (Fifth century)
Saint Xenia, formerly named Eusebius, was born in Rome during the Fifth century into a noble and fervent Christian family. Destined for marriage by her parents, at the time when all were ready to celebrate her marriage, she took to flight with two other young girls. All three embarked and after many changes in fortune, settled down at Mylasa in the province of Caria in Asia, with a monk named Paul. Xenia-this was her new name-built a small oratory in honor of the protomartyr Saint Stephen and, with her two companions and some other virgins who had joined them, consecrated themselves to the practice of virtues. She died in peace after a holy life.
Fifth Class Feast.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Dead, a Saint of the Fifth Class is disregarded, and a Saint of the Third Class is anticipated on the preceeding Friday.
Scriptural Readings:
Saint Mark 9:42-10:1 (1/24-2/6) Gospel for Monday: Thirty-first Week after Pentecost
Trial, Temptation, and Sacrifice: Saint Mark 9:42-10:1, especially vs. 49: “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.” The Gospel reading today confronts the Lord’s disciple with the ‘demanding’ side of the life in Christ. Thus, the Lord Jesus’ admonitions in these verses are a manual for the good fight, and, therefore, most valuable.
Attaining ‘eternal life’ demands uncompromising purity and faithfulness, two virtues that God requires as a condition for snatching anyone from the fire of hell that is “...not quenched” (vss. 44,46,48). Painful choices confront those who pursues this way - if not today, sooner or later. Moments and events will force choosing, whether “...the sufferings of this present life are...worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
The demands listed in this reading are those that the three holy youths faced before the burning fiery furnace (Dan. 3:16-18). Note: the Lord Jesus uses the identical language that the Apostle Peter employed when he referred to ‘fiery trials’ (1 Pt.1:7; 4:12). Peter asks if we will stand with Christ whatever the cost. Will we be healed of sin despite the pain of the treatment? Will we trust that God is true to His word? Will we be faithful in our words and deeds?
These verses are clear: it is a disservice to both the faithful and to non-Christians alike to suggest that the life in Christ is free of trial, temptation, and sacrifice. The good news is that the Lord is “...faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
To maintain in the face of the demands our Lord makes, we must set boundaries with the world. Since trials and temptations are certain, it is urgent to make preparations for facing them. Having set boundaries helps us meet the assaults against faith that incessantly besiege the edges of our integrity. Boundaries help the depths of the heart to fend off temptations.
Alcoholics keep liquor out of the house. The sexually tempted keep a covenant with their eyes and guard their thoughts (Job 31:1). Saint Theophylact of Ochrid says: “the Lord exhorts those to whom offense is given to guard themselves against those who are always ready to offend and to tempt. Whether it be your foot, hand, or eye, which cause you to fall, which means, even if it is one of your closest friends or relatives, in close relationship to you either by kinship or by necessity who causes you to fall, cut him off, that is, reject that friendship or kinship to him.” Such choices involve wrenching soul pain, like amputation without anesthesia.
How does one prepare for inevitable pain and fire? When we have a boundary around our life, we have help with many of the day-to-day choices. The technique is simple: by-pass the doorways that lead to choices known to spell certain defeat. Think about your pitfalls ahead of time.
Of course the enemy has a way of slipping past our boundaries and pressing his fiery trials in deep! The gracious Lord warns us that “...everyone will be seasoned with fire.” He prophesies these trials in life (Mk. 9:49). Those who are practiced in small, undramatic acts of faithfulness are much more likely to survive when the harder tests by fire sweep in.
The Lord, His Prophets, and His Apostles operated in cultures that commonly used salt to ratify agreements. Salt symbolized fidelity and constancy. When the Lord Jesus says, “....every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt,” He knows that genuine trials cannot be successfully met apart from fidelity and constancy. The way to be ready for fire is to be trained in stability, a gift that the Holy Spirit gives to the earnest, struggling Christian. Hence, the Lord connects having the salt of faithfulness as a means to “...peace with one another” (vs. 50).
O Lord...lead me in the right path, because of mine enemies. (Ps. 26:13)
Hebrews 11:17-23, 27-31
Hebrews 11:17-23; Hebrews 11:27-31 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews 11:17-23
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Hebrews 11:27-31
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Mark 9:42-10:1
Mark 9:42-10:1 (King James Version)
42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Mark 10
1And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.
The Synaxarion:
January 24
Memory of our venerable Mother Xenia (Fifth century)
Saint Xenia, formerly named Eusebius, was born in Rome during the Fifth century into a noble and fervent Christian family. Destined for marriage by her parents, at the time when all were ready to celebrate her marriage, she took to flight with two other young girls. All three embarked and after many changes in fortune, settled down at Mylasa in the province of Caria in Asia, with a monk named Paul. Xenia-this was her new name-built a small oratory in honor of the protomartyr Saint Stephen and, with her two companions and some other virgins who had joined them, consecrated themselves to the practice of virtues. She died in peace after a holy life.
Fifth Class Feast.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Dead, a Saint of the Fifth Class is disregarded, and a Saint of the Third Class is anticipated on the preceeding Friday.
Daily Readings:
Monday of the 31st Week after Pentecost
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: the Feast of the Venerable Euthymios the Great, Memory of our venerable Mother Xenia (Fifth century), Mor Yulius Ya`qub, Manjinikkara (1992)., Saint Clement, bishop of Ancyra (Ankara)
January 24
Memory of our venerable Mother Xenia (Fifth century)
Saint Xenia, formerly named Eusebius, was born in Rome during the Fifth century into a noble and fervent Christian family. Destined for marriage by her parents, at the time when all were ready to celebrate her marriage, she took to flight with two other young girls. All three embarked and after many changes in fortune, settled down at Mylasa in the province of Caria in Asia, with a monk named Paul. Xenia-this was her new name-built a small oratory in honor of the protomartyr Saint Stephen and, with her two companions and some other virgins who had joined them, consecrated themselves to the practice of virtues. She died in peace after a holy life.
Fifth Class Feast.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Dead, a Saint of the Fifth Class is disregarded, and a Saint of the Third Class is anticipated on the preceeding Friday.
Scriptural Readings:
Saint Mark 9:42-10:1 (1/24-2/6) Gospel for Monday: Thirty-first Week after Pentecost
Trial, Temptation, and Sacrifice: Saint Mark 9:42-10:1, especially vs. 49: “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.” The Gospel reading today confronts the Lord’s disciple with the ‘demanding’ side of the life in Christ. Thus, the Lord Jesus’ admonitions in these verses are a manual for the good fight, and, therefore, most valuable.
Attaining ‘eternal life’ demands uncompromising purity and faithfulness, two virtues that God requires as a condition for snatching anyone from the fire of hell that is “...not quenched” (vss. 44,46,48). Painful choices confront those who pursues this way - if not today, sooner or later. Moments and events will force choosing, whether “...the sufferings of this present life are...worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
The demands listed in this reading are those that the three holy youths faced before the burning fiery furnace (Dan. 3:16-18). Note: the Lord Jesus uses the identical language that the Apostle Peter employed when he referred to ‘fiery trials’ (1 Pt.1:7; 4:12). Peter asks if we will stand with Christ whatever the cost. Will we be healed of sin despite the pain of the treatment? Will we trust that God is true to His word? Will we be faithful in our words and deeds?
These verses are clear: it is a disservice to both the faithful and to non-Christians alike to suggest that the life in Christ is free of trial, temptation, and sacrifice. The good news is that the Lord is “...faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
To maintain in the face of the demands our Lord makes, we must set boundaries with the world. Since trials and temptations are certain, it is urgent to make preparations for facing them. Having set boundaries helps us meet the assaults against faith that incessantly besiege the edges of our integrity. Boundaries help the depths of the heart to fend off temptations.
Alcoholics keep liquor out of the house. The sexually tempted keep a covenant with their eyes and guard their thoughts (Job 31:1). Saint Theophylact of Ochrid says: “the Lord exhorts those to whom offense is given to guard themselves against those who are always ready to offend and to tempt. Whether it be your foot, hand, or eye, which cause you to fall, which means, even if it is one of your closest friends or relatives, in close relationship to you either by kinship or by necessity who causes you to fall, cut him off, that is, reject that friendship or kinship to him.” Such choices involve wrenching soul pain, like amputation without anesthesia.
How does one prepare for inevitable pain and fire? When we have a boundary around our life, we have help with many of the day-to-day choices. The technique is simple: by-pass the doorways that lead to choices known to spell certain defeat. Think about your pitfalls ahead of time.
Of course the enemy has a way of slipping past our boundaries and pressing his fiery trials in deep! The gracious Lord warns us that “...everyone will be seasoned with fire.” He prophesies these trials in life (Mk. 9:49). Those who are practiced in small, undramatic acts of faithfulness are much more likely to survive when the harder tests by fire sweep in.
The Lord, His Prophets, and His Apostles operated in cultures that commonly used salt to ratify agreements. Salt symbolized fidelity and constancy. When the Lord Jesus says, “....every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt,” He knows that genuine trials cannot be successfully met apart from fidelity and constancy. The way to be ready for fire is to be trained in stability, a gift that the Holy Spirit gives to the earnest, struggling Christian. Hence, the Lord connects having the salt of faithfulness as a means to “...peace with one another” (vs. 50).
O Lord...lead me in the right path, because of mine enemies. (Ps. 26:13)
Hebrews 11:17-23, 27-31
Hebrews 11:17-23; Hebrews 11:27-31 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews 11:17-23
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Hebrews 11:27-31
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Mark 9:42-10:1
Mark 9:42-10:1 (King James Version)
42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Mark 10
1And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.
The Synaxarion:
January 24
Memory of our venerable Mother Xenia (Fifth century)
Saint Xenia, formerly named Eusebius, was born in Rome during the Fifth century into a noble and fervent Christian family. Destined for marriage by her parents, at the time when all were ready to celebrate her marriage, she took to flight with two other young girls. All three embarked and after many changes in fortune, settled down at Mylasa in the province of Caria in Asia, with a monk named Paul. Xenia-this was her new name-built a small oratory in honor of the protomartyr Saint Stephen and, with her two companions and some other virgins who had joined them, consecrated themselves to the practice of virtues. She died in peace after a holy life.
Fifth Class Feast.
In occurrence with the Saturday of the Dead, a Saint of the Fifth Class is disregarded, and a Saint of the Third Class is anticipated on the preceeding Friday.
No comments:
Post a Comment