The three weeks before the start of Great Lent (the Triodion) has begun with the Parable of the Publican and Pharisee. Christ thrusts before us a stark contrast between the prideful, judgmental, self-righteous Pharisee and the humble, self-effacing, repentant Publican. Like the Pharisee, we too can easily find ourselves following all the ‘rules’ of Lent—fasting, services, alms-giving, without allowing these tools to penetrate our hearts, to produce in us the kind of humility the Publican exemplifies and which is so pleasing to our Lord. The righteous acts of the Pharisee are good, but only if they serve to further His love of God and neighbor, only if done for love of God, only if they produce in him the humility needed for repentance and communion with God. The sins of the Publican don’t condemn him because he confesses them in humility before the Lord who alone loves mankind and restores our souls. While not abandoning those suffering from the ravages of sin-sickness or confronting sin when needed for the sake of their souls, we don’t judge; that is, we don’t condemn our brother. There is one judge—God—and He alone sees into the hearts and souls of us all. May Christ God continue to form in us a spirit of humility and contrition for our sins and offenses, that as we approach the ‘spiritual hospital’ of Lent, we may make fruitful progress on our journey with Christ and in His Heavenly Kingdom. In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
House Blessings: The faithful invite Christ into their homes to set them aside, have them blessed, and pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love, harbors in the midst of the storm of the world, places of refuge for our souls. Please contact Fr. Robert with two suggested days, times for a house blessing through END of JANUARY. He will do his best to accommodate (n.b., Mondays he is generally not available).
Important: 2018 Pledges and Commitments: If you have not yet offered your commitment for 2018, PLEASE place it in the offering box today. As of now we have $2500 total in monthly commitments. We need $3,500. To all for whom this Mission is dear, please give generously so we can continue to pay rent and other necessary expenses to provide for our church and her growth. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). Thank you & thanks be to God! The Mission Council
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30 Hours, 10, Divine Liturgy, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, Jan. 31, 6:45 p.m., 3rd STUDY: On the Incarnation, St. Athanasius (4th century). Please join us and invite a friend!
- Sat Friday, Feb. 2, 9:45 a.m., Divine Liturgy, GREAT FEAST, Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Trapeza
- Sat, Feb. 3, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after service)
- Sun, Feb. 4, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars
- Friday, Feb. 9, 5;30-7:30 p.m., February Catechumen/Inquirer Mtg.
- Sunday, Feb. 11, Annual Meeting following Trapeza of Meatfare
- Sunday, Feb. 18, Cheesefare, Expulsion from Paradise, Vespers of Forgiveness with Rite of Forgiveness following Trapeza
- Monday, Feb. 19—Beginning of Great Lent, 6:30 p.m. Canon of St. Andrew (M, T, Th,)
- Wed, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., 1st Presanctified Liturgy, Soup Supper
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the Chalice.
Monthly Giving—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has taken a big step of faith to move into our new church home, to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts, and make more room for new families and individuals. We need your help to afford our new space. Monthly pledges and giving are key to our sustainability and our growth.
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we are not also drawing closer to each other. If we wish to grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship needs to be part of our life together in Christ. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Prayer Requests: That our Mission grows “in spirit and in numbers”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Lois (Cynthia’s newly-reposed aunt)
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Frederica, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Marlena and baby, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Cynthia, Valerie, Annette, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria.
From the Fathers…
He would not lift up so much as his eyes towards heaven. Why not? The eyes are the mirror of the soul. The soul’s sins can be read in the eyes. Do you not see every day that, when a man sins, his eyes are lowered before men. How can the eyes of a sinner not be lowered before God the all-Seeing. Lo, every sin committed before men is committed before God, and there is no sin on earth that does not affect God. A true man of prayer is aware of this and is filled, along with humility, with shame before God. This is why it says: he would not lift up so much as his eyes towards heaven. + St. Nikolai Velimirovich
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 1
When the stone had been sealed by the Jews,
while the soldiers were guarding Thy most pure body,
Thou didst rise on the third day, O Savior,
granting life to the world.
The powers of heaven therefore cried to Thee, O Giver of Life:
“Glory to Thy Resurrection, O Christ! // Glory to Thy ^Kingdom!//
Glory to Thy dispensation, O Thou who lovest of mankind!”
Troparion (New Martyrs of Russia)Tone 4
Today the Church of Russia forms a chorus in joy,
praising her new martyrs and confessors;
hierarchs and priests, royal passion-bearers, right-believing princes and princesses, // venerable men and women, and all Orthodox Christians.
Having laid down their life for faith in Christ during the days of
godless persecution,
they preserved the truth by the shedding of blood.//
By their protection, O long-suffering Lord, preserve our land in Orthodoxy till the end of the age.
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseech you: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (from the Lenten Triodion)Tone 4
Let us flee from the pride of the Pharisee!
Let us learn humility from the Publican’s tears!
Let us cry to our Savior: //“Have mercy on us,//O only merciful One!”
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies and ministers of the divine glory,//
princes of the bodiless Angels and guides of mankind;
ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,//
O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
