From Mutts:
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Greek Orthodox Church Daily Readings For Monday, 16 May
From goarch.com:
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Monday, May 16, 2011
Readings for today:
Acts of the Apostles 10:1-16
John 6:56-69
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
4th Monday after Pascha
Theodore the Sanctified
Holy Martyr Peter of Blachernae
New Martyr Nicholas of Metsovos (1617)
Nicholas the Mystic, Patriarch of Constantinople
Alexandros, Archbishop of Jerusalem
Epistle Reading
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 10:1-16
IN THOSE DAYS, at Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a
centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared
God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and
prayed constantly to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly
in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him,
"Cornelius." And he stared at him in terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" And
he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a
memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon who is
called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the
seaside." When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of
his servants and a devout soldier from among those that waited on
him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. The
next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city,
Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. And he
became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were
preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and
something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the
earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the
air. And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But
Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common
or unclean." And the voice came to him again a second time, "What
God has cleansed, you must not call common." This happened three
times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 6:56-69
The Lord said to the Jews who had believed in him, "He who eats my
flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living
Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will
live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not
such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live
forever." This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard
saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in himself that his
disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?" Then
what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the
words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some
of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those
were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. And
he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless
it is granted him by the Father."
After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about
with him. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know,
that you are Christ, the Son of the living God."
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Theodore the Sanctified
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This Saint, who was born in the Upper Thebaid of Christian parents,
joined the community of Saint Pachomios at about the age of fourteen
years, and became the greatest of his disciples. Because of Theodore's
utter humility and unquestioning obedience, Pachomios called him more
and more to his aid in governing the monasteries he had established.
Although some found fault with this, because Theodore was younger than
they, Pachomios continued to put his confidence in him, to such a
degree that once he told the brotherhood, "Theodore and I fulfil the
same service for God; and he also has the authority to give commands
as father." Pachomios was succeeded as governor of the monks by
Saint Orsiesius in 346, and Orsiesius later took Theodore as his fellow
abbot. At Theodore's death in the year 368, the monks mourned him so
bitterly that the sound of their crying was heard on the other side of the
river.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh,
and a wonderworker, O Theodore , our God-bearing Father. By fasting,
vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the
sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith.
Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath
crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
While flourishing like a palm tree in the house of God, thou broughtest
forth fruits of virtues through thine excellence in ascetic labours, O
righteous Father, sanctified Theodore. Hence, thou art now called blest by
all, since thou art a true peer of the bodiless.
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Monday, May 16, 2011
Readings for today:
Acts of the Apostles 10:1-16
John 6:56-69
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
4th Monday after Pascha
Theodore the Sanctified
Holy Martyr Peter of Blachernae
New Martyr Nicholas of Metsovos (1617)
Nicholas the Mystic, Patriarch of Constantinople
Alexandros, Archbishop of Jerusalem
Epistle Reading
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 10:1-16
IN THOSE DAYS, at Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a
centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared
God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and
prayed constantly to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly
in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him,
"Cornelius." And he stared at him in terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" And
he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a
memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon who is
called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the
seaside." When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of
his servants and a devout soldier from among those that waited on
him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. The
next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city,
Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. And he
became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were
preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and
something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the
earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the
air. And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." But
Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common
or unclean." And the voice came to him again a second time, "What
God has cleansed, you must not call common." This happened three
times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 6:56-69
The Lord said to the Jews who had believed in him, "He who eats my
flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living
Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will
live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not
such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live
forever." This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard
saying; who can listen to it?" But Jesus, knowing in himself that his
disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?" Then
what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before?
It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the
words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some
of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those
were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. And
he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless
it is granted him by the Father."
After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about
with him. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know,
that you are Christ, the Son of the living God."
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Theodore the Sanctified
Reading from the Synaxarion:
This Saint, who was born in the Upper Thebaid of Christian parents,
joined the community of Saint Pachomios at about the age of fourteen
years, and became the greatest of his disciples. Because of Theodore's
utter humility and unquestioning obedience, Pachomios called him more
and more to his aid in governing the monasteries he had established.
Although some found fault with this, because Theodore was younger than
they, Pachomios continued to put his confidence in him, to such a
degree that once he told the brotherhood, "Theodore and I fulfil the
same service for God; and he also has the authority to give commands
as father." Pachomios was succeeded as governor of the monks by
Saint Orsiesius in 346, and Orsiesius later took Theodore as his fellow
abbot. At Theodore's death in the year 368, the monks mourned him so
bitterly that the sound of their crying was heard on the other side of the
river.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
Thou didst prove to be a citizen of the desert, an angel in the flesh,
and a wonderworker, O Theodore , our God-bearing Father. By fasting,
vigil, and prayer thou didst obtain heavenly gifts, and thou healest the
sick and the souls of them that have recourse to thee with faith.
Glory to Him that hath given thee strength. Glory to Him that hath
crowned thee. Glory to Him that worketh healings for all through thee.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
While flourishing like a palm tree in the house of God, thou broughtest
forth fruits of virtues through thine excellence in ascetic labours, O
righteous Father, sanctified Theodore. Hence, thou art now called blest by
all, since thou art a true peer of the bodiless.
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
(Dutch) Reformed Church In America Daily Prayer Request For Sunday, 15 May
From The Reformed Church In America:
May 15 Prayer Request
Pray for the mission and ministry of the Classis of Lake Erie.
May 15 Prayer Request
Pray for the mission and ministry of the Classis of Lake Erie.
German Evangelical Church (Evangelische Kirche In Deutschland [EKD]) Daily Readings (Evangelium Tag Für Tag) For Sunday, 15 May (Sonntag, 15 Mai)
From ETfT:
EVANGELIUM TAG FÜR TAG
«Herr, zu wem sollen wir gehen? Du hast Worte des ewigen Lebens.» Joh. 6,68
Sonntag, 15 Mai 2011
4. Sonntag in der Osterzeit
Heute: 4. Sonntag in der Osterzeit - Weltgebetstag für geistliche Berufe
Heiligen des Tages : Hl. Friedrich Keller, Hl. Rupert von Bingen, Hl. Sophia, Hl. Isidor von Madrid
Kommentar zum heutigen Evangelium -
Wilhelm von St-Thierry : „Amen, amen, ich sage euch: Ich bin die Tür zu den Schafen“
Apostelgeschichte 2,14.36-41.
Da trat Petrus auf, zusammen mit den Elf; er erhob seine Stimme und begann zu reden: Ihr Juden und alle Bewohner von Jerusalem! Dies sollt ihr wissen, achtet auf meine Worte!
Mit Gewißheit erkenne also das ganze Haus Israel: Gott hat ihn zum Herrn und Messias gemacht, diesen Jesus, den ihr gekreuzigt habt.
Als sie das hörten, traf es sie mitten ins Herz, und sie sagten zu Petrus und den übrigen Aposteln: Was sollen wir tun, Brüder?
Petrus antwortete ihnen: Kehrt um, und jeder von euch lasse sich auf den Namen Jesu Christi taufen zur Vergebung seiner Sünden; dann werdet ihr die Gabe des Heiligen Geistes empfangen.
Denn euch und euren Kindern gilt die Verheißung und all denen in der Ferne, die der Herr, unser Gott, herbeirufen wird.
Mit noch vielen anderen Worten beschwor und ermahnte er sie: Laßt euch retten aus dieser verdorbenen Generation!
Die nun, die sein Wort annahmen, ließen sich taufen. An diesem Tag wurden (ihrer Gemeinschaft) etwa dreitausend Menschen hinzugefügt.
Psalm 23(22),1-3a.3b-4.5.6.
[Ein Psalm Davids.] Der Herr ist mein Hirte, nichts wird mir fehlen.
Er läßt mich lagern auf grünen Auen und führt mich zum Ruheplatz am Wasser.
Er stillt mein Verlangen; er leitet mich auf rechten Pfaden, treu seinem Namen.
Muß ich auch wandern in finsterer Schlucht, ich fürchte kein Unheil; denn du bist bei mir, dein Stock und dein Stab geben mir Zuversicht.
Du deckst mir den Tisch vor den Augen meiner Feinde. Du salbst mein Haupt mit Öl, du füllst mir reichlich den Becher.
Lauter Güte und Huld werden mir folgen mein Leben lang, und im Haus des Herrn darf ich wohnen für lange Zeit.
Erster Brief des Apostel Petrus 2,20-25.
Ist es vielleicht etwas Besonderes, wenn ihr wegen einer Verfehlung Schläge erduldet? Wenn ihr aber recht handelt und trotzdem Leiden erduldet, das ist eine Gnade in den Augen Gottes.
Dazu seid ihr berufen worden; denn auch Christus hat für euch gelitten und euch ein Beispiel gegeben, damit ihr seinen Spuren folgt.
Er hat keine Sünde begangen, und in seinem Mund war kein trügerisches Wort.
Er wurde geschmäht, schmähte aber nicht; er litt, drohte aber nicht, sondern überließ seine Sache dem gerechten Richter.
Er hat unsere Sünden mit seinem Leib auf das Holz des Kreuzes getragen, damit wir tot seien für die Sünden und für die Gerechtigkeit leben. Durch seine Wunden seid ihr geheilt.
Denn ihr hattet euch verirrt wie Schafe, jetzt aber seid ihr heimgekehrt zum Hirten und Bischof eurer Seelen.
Evangelium nach Johannes 10,1-10.
Amen, amen, das sage ich euch: Wer in den Schafstall nicht durch die Tür hineingeht, sondern anderswo einsteigt, der ist ein Dieb und ein Räuber.
Wer aber durch die Tür hineingeht, ist der Hirt der Schafe.
Ihm öffnet der Türhüter, und die Schafe hören auf seine Stimme; er ruft die Schafe, die ihm gehören, einzeln beim Namen und führt sie hinaus.
Wenn er alle seine Schafe hinausgetrieben hat, geht er ihnen voraus, und die Schafe folgen ihm; denn sie kennen seine Stimme.
Einem Fremden aber werden sie nicht folgen, sondern sie werden vor ihm fliehen, weil sie die Stimme des Fremden nicht kennen.
Dieses Gleichnis erzählte ihnen Jesus; aber sie verstanden nicht den Sinn dessen, was er ihnen gesagt hatte.
Weiter sagte Jesus zu ihnen: Amen, amen, ich sage euch: Ich bin die Tür zu den Schafen.
Alle, die vor mir kamen, sind Diebe und Räuber; aber die Schafe haben nicht auf sie gehört.
Ich bin die Tür; wer durch mich hineingeht, wird gerettet werden; er wird ein- und ausgehen und Weide finden.
Der Dieb kommt nur, um zu stehlen, zu schlachten und zu vernichten; ich bin gekommen, damit sie das Leben haben und es in Fülle haben.
Auszug aus der liturgischen Übersetzung der Bibel
Kommentar zum heutigen Evangelium :
Wilhelm von St-Thierry (um 1085-1148), Benediktinermönch, später Zisterzienser
Meditative Gebete VI, 6-10
„Amen, amen, ich sage euch: Ich bin die Tür zu den Schafen“
Nicht nur deinem geliebten Jünger Johannes ist die am Himmel geöffnete Tür gezeigt worden (Offb 4, 1). Es ist offenkundig, dass du zu allen gesagt hast...: „Ich bin die Tür; wer durch mich hineingeht, wird gerettet werden“.
Ja, du bist die Tür... Aber wenn wir die große offene Tür am Himmel sehen, wir, die auf der Erde sind: was nützt uns das, uns, die nicht hinaufsteigen können? Paulus hat eine Antwort darauf: „Derselbe, der herabstieg, ist auch hinaufgestiegen“ (Eph 4, 10). Und wer ist es? Die Liebe. Ja, Herr, die Liebe, die in uns ist, steigt zu dir hinauf, denn die Liebe, die in dir ist, ist zu uns herabgestiegen. Weil du uns geliebt hast, bist du zu uns herabgestiegen; indem wir dich lieben, steigen wir auf zu dir.
Du selber hast gesagt: „Ich bin die Tür“. Deshalb bitte ich in deinem Namen: öffne du dich uns selber, um uns noch klarer zu zeigen, zu welcher Wohnung du die Tür bist... Die Wohnung, deren Tür du bist, ist, wie gesagt, der Himmel. Der Vater wohnt dort, von dem geschrieben steht: „Der Thron des Herrn ist im Himmel“ (Ps 11, 4). Deshalb kommt ja „niemand zum Vater außer durch mich“ (Joh 14, 6), der du die Tür bist... Nach dir strecken wir uns aus, nach dir sehnen wir uns. Antworte doch bitte auf die Frage: „Meister, wo wohnst du?“ (Joh 1, 38) Sogleich antwortest du: „Ich bin im Vater, und der Vater ist in mir“ (Joh 14, 11). Und an andrer Stelle: „An jenem Tag werdet ihr erkennen, dass ich in meinem Vater bin, dass ihr in mir seid und ich in euch bin“ (Joh 14, 20)... So ist deine Wohnung der Vater, und du bist die Wohnung des Vaters. Und nicht nur das: auch wir sind deine Wohnung, und du bist die unsrige.
EVANGELIUM TAG FÜR TAG
«Herr, zu wem sollen wir gehen? Du hast Worte des ewigen Lebens.» Joh. 6,68
Sonntag, 15 Mai 2011
4. Sonntag in der Osterzeit
Heute: 4. Sonntag in der Osterzeit - Weltgebetstag für geistliche Berufe
Heiligen des Tages : Hl. Friedrich Keller, Hl. Rupert von Bingen, Hl. Sophia, Hl. Isidor von Madrid
Kommentar zum heutigen Evangelium -
Wilhelm von St-Thierry : „Amen, amen, ich sage euch: Ich bin die Tür zu den Schafen“
Apostelgeschichte 2,14.36-41.
Da trat Petrus auf, zusammen mit den Elf; er erhob seine Stimme und begann zu reden: Ihr Juden und alle Bewohner von Jerusalem! Dies sollt ihr wissen, achtet auf meine Worte!
Mit Gewißheit erkenne also das ganze Haus Israel: Gott hat ihn zum Herrn und Messias gemacht, diesen Jesus, den ihr gekreuzigt habt.
Als sie das hörten, traf es sie mitten ins Herz, und sie sagten zu Petrus und den übrigen Aposteln: Was sollen wir tun, Brüder?
Petrus antwortete ihnen: Kehrt um, und jeder von euch lasse sich auf den Namen Jesu Christi taufen zur Vergebung seiner Sünden; dann werdet ihr die Gabe des Heiligen Geistes empfangen.
Denn euch und euren Kindern gilt die Verheißung und all denen in der Ferne, die der Herr, unser Gott, herbeirufen wird.
Mit noch vielen anderen Worten beschwor und ermahnte er sie: Laßt euch retten aus dieser verdorbenen Generation!
Die nun, die sein Wort annahmen, ließen sich taufen. An diesem Tag wurden (ihrer Gemeinschaft) etwa dreitausend Menschen hinzugefügt.
Psalm 23(22),1-3a.3b-4.5.6.
[Ein Psalm Davids.] Der Herr ist mein Hirte, nichts wird mir fehlen.
Er läßt mich lagern auf grünen Auen und führt mich zum Ruheplatz am Wasser.
Er stillt mein Verlangen; er leitet mich auf rechten Pfaden, treu seinem Namen.
Muß ich auch wandern in finsterer Schlucht, ich fürchte kein Unheil; denn du bist bei mir, dein Stock und dein Stab geben mir Zuversicht.
Du deckst mir den Tisch vor den Augen meiner Feinde. Du salbst mein Haupt mit Öl, du füllst mir reichlich den Becher.
Lauter Güte und Huld werden mir folgen mein Leben lang, und im Haus des Herrn darf ich wohnen für lange Zeit.
Erster Brief des Apostel Petrus 2,20-25.
Ist es vielleicht etwas Besonderes, wenn ihr wegen einer Verfehlung Schläge erduldet? Wenn ihr aber recht handelt und trotzdem Leiden erduldet, das ist eine Gnade in den Augen Gottes.
Dazu seid ihr berufen worden; denn auch Christus hat für euch gelitten und euch ein Beispiel gegeben, damit ihr seinen Spuren folgt.
Er hat keine Sünde begangen, und in seinem Mund war kein trügerisches Wort.
Er wurde geschmäht, schmähte aber nicht; er litt, drohte aber nicht, sondern überließ seine Sache dem gerechten Richter.
Er hat unsere Sünden mit seinem Leib auf das Holz des Kreuzes getragen, damit wir tot seien für die Sünden und für die Gerechtigkeit leben. Durch seine Wunden seid ihr geheilt.
Denn ihr hattet euch verirrt wie Schafe, jetzt aber seid ihr heimgekehrt zum Hirten und Bischof eurer Seelen.
Evangelium nach Johannes 10,1-10.
Amen, amen, das sage ich euch: Wer in den Schafstall nicht durch die Tür hineingeht, sondern anderswo einsteigt, der ist ein Dieb und ein Räuber.
Wer aber durch die Tür hineingeht, ist der Hirt der Schafe.
Ihm öffnet der Türhüter, und die Schafe hören auf seine Stimme; er ruft die Schafe, die ihm gehören, einzeln beim Namen und führt sie hinaus.
Wenn er alle seine Schafe hinausgetrieben hat, geht er ihnen voraus, und die Schafe folgen ihm; denn sie kennen seine Stimme.
Einem Fremden aber werden sie nicht folgen, sondern sie werden vor ihm fliehen, weil sie die Stimme des Fremden nicht kennen.
Dieses Gleichnis erzählte ihnen Jesus; aber sie verstanden nicht den Sinn dessen, was er ihnen gesagt hatte.
Weiter sagte Jesus zu ihnen: Amen, amen, ich sage euch: Ich bin die Tür zu den Schafen.
Alle, die vor mir kamen, sind Diebe und Räuber; aber die Schafe haben nicht auf sie gehört.
Ich bin die Tür; wer durch mich hineingeht, wird gerettet werden; er wird ein- und ausgehen und Weide finden.
Der Dieb kommt nur, um zu stehlen, zu schlachten und zu vernichten; ich bin gekommen, damit sie das Leben haben und es in Fülle haben.
Auszug aus der liturgischen Übersetzung der Bibel
Kommentar zum heutigen Evangelium :
Wilhelm von St-Thierry (um 1085-1148), Benediktinermönch, später Zisterzienser
Meditative Gebete VI, 6-10
„Amen, amen, ich sage euch: Ich bin die Tür zu den Schafen“
Nicht nur deinem geliebten Jünger Johannes ist die am Himmel geöffnete Tür gezeigt worden (Offb 4, 1). Es ist offenkundig, dass du zu allen gesagt hast...: „Ich bin die Tür; wer durch mich hineingeht, wird gerettet werden“.
Ja, du bist die Tür... Aber wenn wir die große offene Tür am Himmel sehen, wir, die auf der Erde sind: was nützt uns das, uns, die nicht hinaufsteigen können? Paulus hat eine Antwort darauf: „Derselbe, der herabstieg, ist auch hinaufgestiegen“ (Eph 4, 10). Und wer ist es? Die Liebe. Ja, Herr, die Liebe, die in uns ist, steigt zu dir hinauf, denn die Liebe, die in dir ist, ist zu uns herabgestiegen. Weil du uns geliebt hast, bist du zu uns herabgestiegen; indem wir dich lieben, steigen wir auf zu dir.
Du selber hast gesagt: „Ich bin die Tür“. Deshalb bitte ich in deinem Namen: öffne du dich uns selber, um uns noch klarer zu zeigen, zu welcher Wohnung du die Tür bist... Die Wohnung, deren Tür du bist, ist, wie gesagt, der Himmel. Der Vater wohnt dort, von dem geschrieben steht: „Der Thron des Herrn ist im Himmel“ (Ps 11, 4). Deshalb kommt ja „niemand zum Vater außer durch mich“ (Joh 14, 6), der du die Tür bist... Nach dir strecken wir uns aus, nach dir sehnen wir uns. Antworte doch bitte auf die Frage: „Meister, wo wohnst du?“ (Joh 1, 38) Sogleich antwortest du: „Ich bin im Vater, und der Vater ist in mir“ (Joh 14, 11). Und an andrer Stelle: „An jenem Tag werdet ihr erkennen, dass ich in meinem Vater bin, dass ihr in mir seid und ich in euch bin“ (Joh 14, 20)... So ist deine Wohnung der Vater, und du bist die Wohnung des Vaters. Und nicht nur das: auch wir sind deine Wohnung, und du bist die unsrige.
Greek Orthodox Church Daily Readings For Sunday, 15 May
From goarch.com:
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Sunday, May 15, 2011
Readings for today:
Luke 24:13-35
Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
John 5:1-15
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Sunday of the Paralytic
Pachomios the Great Martyr
Achilles, Bishop of Larissa
Barbaros the Myrrhbearer of Kerkyra
Andrew the Hermit & Wonderworker
Orthros Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus,
about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all
these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing
together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were
kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this
conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they
stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things
that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What
things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how
our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to
death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem
Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this
happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the
tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came
back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that
he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and
found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he
said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that
the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should
suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses
and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures
the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He
appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with
us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he
went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the
bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes
were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their
sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while
he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they
found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who
said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they
told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in
the breaking of the bread.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Epistle Reading
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came
down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man
named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.
And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make
your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and
Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a
disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and
acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they
had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near
Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him
entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went
with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All
the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other
garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all
outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said,
"Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat
up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the
saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout
all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 5:1-15
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem
by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five
porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed,
waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down
at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever
stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever
disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight
years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long
time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered
him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is
troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to
him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was
healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.
Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was
cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your
pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up
your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to
you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed
did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a
crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said
to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall
you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had
healed him.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Sunday of the Paralytic
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Close to the Sheep's in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called
the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five
sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay
very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of
the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was
healed immediately of whatever malady he had.
It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying,
tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him,
He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a
quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled,
to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up
thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took
up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing
to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the
Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when
He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and
working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle
took place on the Sabbath.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
I am grievously paralyzed in a multitude of sins and wrongful
deeds. As You raised up the paralytic of old, also raise up my soul by
Your divine guidance, that I may cry out, "Glory to Your Power O
Compassionate Christ."
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Narthex Press
Pachomios the Great Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Pachomios was born of pagan parents in the Upper Thebaid of
Egypt. He was conscripted into the Roman army at an early age. While
quartered with the other soldiers in the prison in Thebes, Pachomios was
astonished at the kindness shown them by the local Christians, who relieved
their distress by bringing them food and drink. Upon inquiring who they
were, he believed in Christ and vowed that once delivered from the
army, he would serve Him all the days of his life. Released from
military service, about the year 313, he was baptized, and became a
disciple of the hermit Palamon, under whose exacting guidance he increased
in virtue and grace, and reached such a height of holiness that
"because of the purity of his heart," says his biographer, "he was, as it
were, seeing the invisible God as in a mirror." His renown spread far,
and so many came to him to be his disciples that he founded nine
monasteries in all, filled with many thousands of monks, to whom he gave a
rule of life, which became the pattern for all communal monasticism
after him. While Saint Anthony the Great is the father of hermits,
Saint Pachomios is the founder of the cenobitic life in Egypt; because
Pachomios had founded a way of monasticism accessible to so many, Anthony
said that he "walks the way of the Apostles." Saint Pachomios fell
asleep in the Lord before his contemporaries Anthony and Athanasius the
Great, in the year 346. His name in Coptic, Pachom, means "eagle."
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
Thou didst prove a chief pastor of the Chief Shepherd, Christ, guiding
the flocks of monastics unto the heavenly fold, whence thou learntest
of the habit and the way of life that doth befit ascetic ranks;
having taught this to thy monks, thou now dancest and rejoicest with
them in heavenly dwellings, O great Pachomios, our Father and guide.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Since thou hadst shown forth the life of the Angels while in a body, O
God-bearing Pachomios, thou wast also counted worthy of their glory; and with
them thou standest before the Lord's throne, interceding that divine
forgiveness be granted unto all.
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Achilles, Bishop of Larissa
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Achilles was one of the 318 God-bearing Fathers who were present
at the First Ecumenical Council; after returning to Larissa he cast
down many pagan temples, delivered many from the demons, and raised up
churches to the glory of God. He reposed about the middle of the fourth
century.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of
faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause,
thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O
Father and Hierarch Achilles, intercede with Christ God that our souls
be saved.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Let us all praise with hymns and songs divine Achilles, the brightly
shining and unwaning star of all the world, who is Larissa's unsleeping
and loving shepherd. Let us cry to him: Since thou hast boldness
with the Lord, do thou rescue us from every raging storm of life, that
we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father Achilles.
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Sunday, May 15, 2011
Readings for today:
Luke 24:13-35
Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
John 5:1-15
Feasts and Saints celebrated today:
Sunday of the Paralytic
Pachomios the Great Martyr
Achilles, Bishop of Larissa
Barbaros the Myrrhbearer of Kerkyra
Andrew the Hermit & Wonderworker
Orthros Gospel Reading
The reading is from Luke 24:13-35
At that time, two of them were going to a village named Emmaus,
about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all
these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing
together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were
kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this
conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they
stood still looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things
that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What
things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a
prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how
our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to
death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem
Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this
happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the
tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came
back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that
he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and
found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he
said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that
the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should
suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses
and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures
the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He
appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with
us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he
went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the
bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes
were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their
sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while
he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?"
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they
found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who
said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they
told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in
the breaking of the bread.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Epistle Reading
The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42
IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came
down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man
named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.
And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make
your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and
Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a
disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and
acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they
had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near
Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him
entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter rose and went
with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All
the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other
garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all
outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said,
"Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat
up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the
saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout
all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Gospel Reading
The reading is from John 5:1-15
At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem
by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five
porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed,
waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down
at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever
stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever
disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight
years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long
time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered
him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is
troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to
him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was
healed, and he took up his pallet and walked.
Now that day was the sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who was
cured, "It is the sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your
pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up
your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to
you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed
did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a
crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said
to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall
you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had
healed him.
(c) 2011 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Sunday of the Paralytic
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Close to the Sheep's in Jerusalem, there was a pool, which was called
the Sheep's Pool. It had round about it five porches, that is, five
sets of pillars supporting a domed roof. Under this roof there lay
very many sick people with various maladies, awaiting the moving of
the water. The first to step in after the troubling of the water was
healed immediately of whatever malady he had.
It was there that the paralytic of today's Gospel way lying,
tormented by his infirmity of thirty-eight years. When Christ beheld him,
He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" And he answered with a
quiet and meek voice, "Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled,
to put me into the pool." The Lord said unto him, "Rise, take up
thy bed, and walk." And straightaway the man was made whole and took
up his bed. Walking in the presence of all, he departed rejoicing
to his own house. According to the expounders of the Gospels, the
Lord Jesus healed this paralytic during the days of the Passover, when
He had gone to Jerusalem for the Feast, and dwelt there teaching and
working miracles. According to Saint John the Evangelist, this miracle
took place on the Sabbath.
Kontakion in the Third Tone
I am grievously paralyzed in a multitude of sins and wrongful
deeds. As You raised up the paralytic of old, also raise up my soul by
Your divine guidance, that I may cry out, "Glory to Your Power O
Compassionate Christ."
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Narthex Press
Pachomios the Great Martyr
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Pachomios was born of pagan parents in the Upper Thebaid of
Egypt. He was conscripted into the Roman army at an early age. While
quartered with the other soldiers in the prison in Thebes, Pachomios was
astonished at the kindness shown them by the local Christians, who relieved
their distress by bringing them food and drink. Upon inquiring who they
were, he believed in Christ and vowed that once delivered from the
army, he would serve Him all the days of his life. Released from
military service, about the year 313, he was baptized, and became a
disciple of the hermit Palamon, under whose exacting guidance he increased
in virtue and grace, and reached such a height of holiness that
"because of the purity of his heart," says his biographer, "he was, as it
were, seeing the invisible God as in a mirror." His renown spread far,
and so many came to him to be his disciples that he founded nine
monasteries in all, filled with many thousands of monks, to whom he gave a
rule of life, which became the pattern for all communal monasticism
after him. While Saint Anthony the Great is the father of hermits,
Saint Pachomios is the founder of the cenobitic life in Egypt; because
Pachomios had founded a way of monasticism accessible to so many, Anthony
said that he "walks the way of the Apostles." Saint Pachomios fell
asleep in the Lord before his contemporaries Anthony and Athanasius the
Great, in the year 346. His name in Coptic, Pachom, means "eagle."
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the First Tone
Thou didst prove a chief pastor of the Chief Shepherd, Christ, guiding
the flocks of monastics unto the heavenly fold, whence thou learntest
of the habit and the way of life that doth befit ascetic ranks;
having taught this to thy monks, thou now dancest and rejoicest with
them in heavenly dwellings, O great Pachomios, our Father and guide.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
Since thou hadst shown forth the life of the Angels while in a body, O
God-bearing Pachomios, thou wast also counted worthy of their glory; and with
them thou standest before the Lord's throne, interceding that divine
forgiveness be granted unto all.
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Achilles, Bishop of Larissa
Reading from the Synaxarion:
Saint Achilles was one of the 318 God-bearing Fathers who were present
at the First Ecumenical Council; after returning to Larissa he cast
down many pagan temples, delivered many from the demons, and raised up
churches to the glory of God. He reposed about the middle of the fourth
century.
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The truth of things hath revealed thee to thy flock as a rule of
faith, an icon of meekness, and a teacher of temperance; for this cause,
thou hast achieved the heights by humility, riches by poverty. O
Father and Hierarch Achilles, intercede with Christ God that our souls
be saved.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
Let us all praise with hymns and songs divine Achilles, the brightly
shining and unwaning star of all the world, who is Larissa's unsleeping
and loving shepherd. Let us cry to him: Since thou hast boldness
with the Lord, do thou rescue us from every raging storm of life, that
we may cry to thee: Rejoice, O Father Achilles.
This content is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved:
Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Apolytikion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
Kontakion (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA
The Fertile Soil Of Sangha
From Tricycle:
The Fertile Soil of Sangha
Thich Nhat Hanh on the importance of community.
TWO THOUSAND five hundred years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha proclaimed that the next Buddha will be named Maitreya, the “Buddha of Love.” I think Maitreya Buddha may be a community and not just an individual. A good community is needed to help us resist the unwholesome ways of our time. Mindful living protects us and helps us go in the direction of peace. With the support of friends in the practice, peace has a chance.
If you have a supportive sangha, it’s easy to nourish your bodhicitta, the seeds of enlightenment. If you don’t have anyone who understands you, who encourages you in the practice of the living dharma, your desire to practice may wither. Your sangha—family, friends, and copractitioners—is the soil, and you are the seed. No matter how vigorous the seed is, if the soil does not provide nourishment, your seed will die. A good sangha is crucial for the practice. Please find a good sangha or help create one.
Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are three precious jewels in Buddhism, and the most important of these is Sangha. The Sangha contains the Buddha and the Dharma. A good teacher is important, but sisters and brothers in the practice are the main ingredient for success. You cannot achieve enlightenment by locking yourself in your room. Transformation is possible only when you are in touch. When you touch the ground, you can feel the stability of the earth and feel confident. When you observe the steadiness of the sunshine, the air, and the trees, you know that you can count on the sun to rise each day and the air and the trees to be there. When you build a house, you build it on solid ground. You need to choose friends in the practice who are stable, on whom you can rely.
Taking refuge in the sangha means putting your trust in a community of solid members who practice mindfulness together. You do not have to practice intensively—just being in a sangha where people are happy, living deeply the moments of their days, is enough. Each person’s way of sitting, walking, eating, working, and smiling is a source of inspiration; and transformation takes place without effort. If someone who is troubled is placed in a good sangha, just being there is enough to bring about a transformation. I hope communities of practice in the West will organize themselves as families. In Asian sanghas, we address each other as Dharma Brother, Dharma Sister, Dharma Aunt, or Dharma Uncle, and we call our teacher Dharma Father or Dharma Mother. A practice community needs that kind of familial brotherhood to nourish practice.
If you have a sangha that is joyful, animated by the desire to practice and help, you will mature as a bodhisattva. I always tell the monks, nuns, and lay practitioners at Plum Village that if they want to succeed in the practice, they have to find ways to live in harmony with one another, even with those who are difficult. If they can’t succeed in the sangha, how can they succeed outside of it? Becoming a monk or a nun is not just between student and teacher. It involves everyone. Getting a “yes” from everyone in the sangha is a true dharma seal.
From Cultivating the Mind of Love, © 2008 by Thich Nhat Hanh. Reprinted with permission of Parallax Press, parallax.org.
Image: © Katie Cummings
The Fertile Soil of Sangha
Thich Nhat Hanh on the importance of community.
TWO THOUSAND five hundred years ago, Shakyamuni Buddha proclaimed that the next Buddha will be named Maitreya, the “Buddha of Love.” I think Maitreya Buddha may be a community and not just an individual. A good community is needed to help us resist the unwholesome ways of our time. Mindful living protects us and helps us go in the direction of peace. With the support of friends in the practice, peace has a chance. If you have a supportive sangha, it’s easy to nourish your bodhicitta, the seeds of enlightenment. If you don’t have anyone who understands you, who encourages you in the practice of the living dharma, your desire to practice may wither. Your sangha—family, friends, and copractitioners—is the soil, and you are the seed. No matter how vigorous the seed is, if the soil does not provide nourishment, your seed will die. A good sangha is crucial for the practice. Please find a good sangha or help create one.
Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are three precious jewels in Buddhism, and the most important of these is Sangha. The Sangha contains the Buddha and the Dharma. A good teacher is important, but sisters and brothers in the practice are the main ingredient for success. You cannot achieve enlightenment by locking yourself in your room. Transformation is possible only when you are in touch. When you touch the ground, you can feel the stability of the earth and feel confident. When you observe the steadiness of the sunshine, the air, and the trees, you know that you can count on the sun to rise each day and the air and the trees to be there. When you build a house, you build it on solid ground. You need to choose friends in the practice who are stable, on whom you can rely.
Taking refuge in the sangha means putting your trust in a community of solid members who practice mindfulness together. You do not have to practice intensively—just being in a sangha where people are happy, living deeply the moments of their days, is enough. Each person’s way of sitting, walking, eating, working, and smiling is a source of inspiration; and transformation takes place without effort. If someone who is troubled is placed in a good sangha, just being there is enough to bring about a transformation. I hope communities of practice in the West will organize themselves as families. In Asian sanghas, we address each other as Dharma Brother, Dharma Sister, Dharma Aunt, or Dharma Uncle, and we call our teacher Dharma Father or Dharma Mother. A practice community needs that kind of familial brotherhood to nourish practice.
If you have a sangha that is joyful, animated by the desire to practice and help, you will mature as a bodhisattva. I always tell the monks, nuns, and lay practitioners at Plum Village that if they want to succeed in the practice, they have to find ways to live in harmony with one another, even with those who are difficult. If they can’t succeed in the sangha, how can they succeed outside of it? Becoming a monk or a nun is not just between student and teacher. It involves everyone. Getting a “yes” from everyone in the sangha is a true dharma seal.
From Cultivating the Mind of Love, © 2008 by Thich Nhat Hanh. Reprinted with permission of Parallax Press, parallax.org.
Image: © Katie Cummings
(Dutch) Reformed Church In America Daily Prayer Request For Saturday, 14 May
From The Reformed Church In America:
May 14 Prayer Request
Give thanks for church leaders who are equipping and empowering all disciples to serve in areas where God has best gifted them.
Today's Scripture: John 10:7-10
John 10:7-10
7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
May 14 Prayer Request
Give thanks for church leaders who are equipping and empowering all disciples to serve in areas where God has best gifted them.
Today's Scripture: John 10:7-10
John 10:7-10
7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
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