From antiochan.org, dynamispublications.org, biblegateway.com and rongolini.com:
Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Memory of our venerable Father Maximos the Confessor (580-662), The holy Martyr Neophytos (beginning the fourth century)
Scriptural Readings:
Saint Mark 9:33-41 (1/21-2/3) Gospel for Friday of the Thirtieth Week after Pentecost
The Heights of Humility: Saint Mark 9:33-41, especially vss. 35, 36: “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If any one desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’ Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.” Saint Mark records the Lord Jesus’ requirements for being united to Him: taking up one’s cross, and following Him (8:34-38). In the present passage, the Lord reveals two important dimensions of taking up the cross: self-denial, and service to others. Saint Theophylact of Ochrid shows that the Lord connects being honored by Christ with humbling one’s self: “The Lord does not forbid us to desire to become His favorites, for He wants us to desire advancement in the spiritual life. But He does not want us to grasp for honors and privileges, but rather to reach the heights by humility.” Let us defer to those who serve the Lord with unobtrusive deeds of kindness and love, as Christ did and does.
Observe how the Savior develops His teaching concerning humility. First He states the required attitude: “...to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). Then He dramatizes this by setting a child in the midst (vs. 36). Tradition identifies the child as Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who, years later, would go into the Arena with lions, joyfully embracing death in humility. The child grew, became Bishop, and died following Christ’s example.
Without question, the Lord manifestly chose to be “...last of all and servant of all” (vs. 35) in His life in the flesh. In birth He “...made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Php. 2:7). He entered human society as a member of the lowest class, took His first breath in a cave used to shelter livestock, fled as a refugee, grew up unknown in a carpenter’s shop, accepted “...a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mk. 1:4) - thus making Himself “...Who knew no sin to be sin for us...” (2 Cor. 5:21). His associates were the outcasts of society: “...many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him” (Mk. 2:15). In the end, He was executed with common criminals, “...one on His right and the other on His left” (Mk. 15:27).
Observe how Gregory the Great reveals Christ’s use of humility on the Cross to benefit us in our attaining humility: “since it is competent for Divine Power not only to make good things out of nothing, but also to refashion them from the evils that the devil had committed, the humility of God appeared among men as a remedy against this wound inflicted by the proud devil, so that those who had fallen through imitation of their haughty enemy might rise by the example of their humbled Creator.” Bear your cross as did the Lord - whether abstaining from pleasure, meeting a neighbor's need with compassion, or suffering wrongs on behalf of others.
As for being last of all, Saint Gregory warns those in positions of distinction in the Body of Christ: “...there are many in the Church who scorn to be little ones and they do not cease to be great in their own sight in place of humility....they claim their heavenly country - and yet they do not love it.” It is as Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov declares: “God...set no limits for any of us on the spiritual plane....We are called to eternal life in the Kingdom of our Father Which is in heaven;” yet, as the Lord states, “...entry into the Kingdom inevitably entails suffering. Many decline the Father’s gift of love precisely because the utmost effort is required....” Do not fear the life in Christ, which is yours. Be a little child of your Father and establish yourself with the prodigal son: “I...am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Lk. 15:21). Thus, if God wills, let Him raise you however He will to the heights by humility.
O Christ God, Thou hast dwelt in a cave, and a manger did receive Thee: Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Lover of mankind Who hast revealed to us the heights of humility.
Hebrews 11:8, 11-16
Hebrews 11:8; Hebrews 11:11-16 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews 11:8
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8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
King James Version (KJV)
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Hebrews 11:11-16
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11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
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Mark 9:33-41
Mark 9:33-41 (King James Version)
33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40For he that is not against us is on our part.
41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
The Synxarion:
January 21
Memory of our venerable Father Maximos the Confessor (580-662)
The holy Martyr Neophytos (beginning the fourth century)
The sublime Maximos was born in Constantinople in 580 into a noble family during the reign of Tiberius I Constantine (578-582). Under Heraclius he held the position of First Secretary and Imperial Counsellor. Around 613-614, he abandoned the honors of his age and entered a monastery in Chrysopolis (Scutari). The Persians having invaded Chrysopolis in 626, he took refuge in Africa in company with Saint Sophronios, the future Patriarch of Jerusalem. Inflamed by divine zeal as by a fire, he went to Rome in 646 and urged Pope Saint Martin I to gather a local council to condemn the leaders of the ungodly Monothelite heresy (649). In order to refute these heretics, he composed some treaties and letters exposing the arguments and scriptural texts which supported the truth of the Orthodox faith. He circulated his writings throughout the world. He was seized in Rome in 653 and was obliged to appear before Paul II, the Patriarch of Constantinople, and Pyrrhus, the ex-patriarch--both partisans of the heresy of Emperor Constans II (641-668). He was condemned and sent to the fortress of Byzya in Thrace in 655, then to Perberes, and from there into exile in the Caucasus in the country of the Lazians where he died in old age on August 13, 662.
It is believed that Saint Neophytos suffered for the faith in Nicaea in Bithynia, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, at the beginning of the Fourth century.
Fifth Class Feast.
Daily Readings:
Saints/Martyrs/Feasts/Fasts to be observed/commemmorated/celebrated: Memory of our venerable Father Maximos the Confessor (580-662), The holy Martyr Neophytos (beginning the fourth century)
Scriptural Readings:
Saint Mark 9:33-41 (1/21-2/3) Gospel for Friday of the Thirtieth Week after Pentecost
The Heights of Humility: Saint Mark 9:33-41, especially vss. 35, 36: “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If any one desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’ Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.” Saint Mark records the Lord Jesus’ requirements for being united to Him: taking up one’s cross, and following Him (8:34-38). In the present passage, the Lord reveals two important dimensions of taking up the cross: self-denial, and service to others. Saint Theophylact of Ochrid shows that the Lord connects being honored by Christ with humbling one’s self: “The Lord does not forbid us to desire to become His favorites, for He wants us to desire advancement in the spiritual life. But He does not want us to grasp for honors and privileges, but rather to reach the heights by humility.” Let us defer to those who serve the Lord with unobtrusive deeds of kindness and love, as Christ did and does.
Observe how the Savior develops His teaching concerning humility. First He states the required attitude: “...to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). Then He dramatizes this by setting a child in the midst (vs. 36). Tradition identifies the child as Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who, years later, would go into the Arena with lions, joyfully embracing death in humility. The child grew, became Bishop, and died following Christ’s example.
Without question, the Lord manifestly chose to be “...last of all and servant of all” (vs. 35) in His life in the flesh. In birth He “...made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant” (Php. 2:7). He entered human society as a member of the lowest class, took His first breath in a cave used to shelter livestock, fled as a refugee, grew up unknown in a carpenter’s shop, accepted “...a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins” (Mk. 1:4) - thus making Himself “...Who knew no sin to be sin for us...” (2 Cor. 5:21). His associates were the outcasts of society: “...many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him” (Mk. 2:15). In the end, He was executed with common criminals, “...one on His right and the other on His left” (Mk. 15:27).
Observe how Gregory the Great reveals Christ’s use of humility on the Cross to benefit us in our attaining humility: “since it is competent for Divine Power not only to make good things out of nothing, but also to refashion them from the evils that the devil had committed, the humility of God appeared among men as a remedy against this wound inflicted by the proud devil, so that those who had fallen through imitation of their haughty enemy might rise by the example of their humbled Creator.” Bear your cross as did the Lord - whether abstaining from pleasure, meeting a neighbor's need with compassion, or suffering wrongs on behalf of others.
As for being last of all, Saint Gregory warns those in positions of distinction in the Body of Christ: “...there are many in the Church who scorn to be little ones and they do not cease to be great in their own sight in place of humility....they claim their heavenly country - and yet they do not love it.” It is as Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov declares: “God...set no limits for any of us on the spiritual plane....We are called to eternal life in the Kingdom of our Father Which is in heaven;” yet, as the Lord states, “...entry into the Kingdom inevitably entails suffering. Many decline the Father’s gift of love precisely because the utmost effort is required....” Do not fear the life in Christ, which is yours. Be a little child of your Father and establish yourself with the prodigal son: “I...am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Lk. 15:21). Thus, if God wills, let Him raise you however He will to the heights by humility.
O Christ God, Thou hast dwelt in a cave, and a manger did receive Thee: Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou Lover of mankind Who hast revealed to us the heights of humility.
Hebrews 11:8, 11-16
Hebrews 11:8; Hebrews 11:11-16 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews 11:8
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Hebrews 11:11-16
Listen to this passage
View commentary related to this passage
11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
Passage Update
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Embed
Verse Numbers Footnotes
Cross-References Headings
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Mark 9:33-41
Mark 9:33-41 (King James Version)
33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40For he that is not against us is on our part.
41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
The Synxarion:
January 21
Memory of our venerable Father Maximos the Confessor (580-662)
The holy Martyr Neophytos (beginning the fourth century)
The sublime Maximos was born in Constantinople in 580 into a noble family during the reign of Tiberius I Constantine (578-582). Under Heraclius he held the position of First Secretary and Imperial Counsellor. Around 613-614, he abandoned the honors of his age and entered a monastery in Chrysopolis (Scutari). The Persians having invaded Chrysopolis in 626, he took refuge in Africa in company with Saint Sophronios, the future Patriarch of Jerusalem. Inflamed by divine zeal as by a fire, he went to Rome in 646 and urged Pope Saint Martin I to gather a local council to condemn the leaders of the ungodly Monothelite heresy (649). In order to refute these heretics, he composed some treaties and letters exposing the arguments and scriptural texts which supported the truth of the Orthodox faith. He circulated his writings throughout the world. He was seized in Rome in 653 and was obliged to appear before Paul II, the Patriarch of Constantinople, and Pyrrhus, the ex-patriarch--both partisans of the heresy of Emperor Constans II (641-668). He was condemned and sent to the fortress of Byzya in Thrace in 655, then to Perberes, and from there into exile in the Caucasus in the country of the Lazians where he died in old age on August 13, 662.
It is believed that Saint Neophytos suffered for the faith in Nicaea in Bithynia, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, at the beginning of the Fourth century.
Fifth Class Feast.
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