In today’s Gospel, two blind men beseech Christ to have mercy on them and acclaim Him as the long-awaited Messiah by their words, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” It is both their acknowledgement of their need for healing and their coming to Christ, which so loudly demonstrates their faith. They know Who is the One who has mercy and healing to give, the Word of God, who knows us even in our mother’s womb. Christ God sees each one of us through His eyes of love and purpose for our lives. He desires the healing from sin-sickness and salvation of each one of us. We see in the blind men the faith to get themselves to Christ for healing. God never turns away those who come to Him in faith, but as with our relationship and communion with Him, our healing and salvation demand something from us: our dying to our own will and our submission to His will, our opening of ourselves to His healing through the ‘tools’ He’s entrusted to us through His Church. As Christ said to the blind men, “According to your faith, let it be to you.” Our participation in the divine services, our daily prayers, our repentance, our keeping the fast, our struggle to live to God’s glory, our participation in the Sacraments of Confession and the Eucharist, are all demonstrations of faith on our part, of cooperation with the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s will in our lives. But we must be open and honest before Him if we wish to receive the healing we need. God will receive us in faith too and grant us healing—if we are willing to struggle and present ourselves to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ bless you! Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services are at 47 Spa Rd)
- TODAY, 9:30, Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza followed by Sunday School
- Wed, July 19, 6:45-8:15, Bible Study Series & Outreach Opportunity: The Epistle of St. James, Chapter 3… Invite your friends for this journey of faith & discovery!
- Fri, July 28, 7-8:30 p.m., Plebe Summer ministry at the USNA
- Sat, July 29, 6 p.m., Great Vespers (confession offered after the service)
- Sun , July 30, 9:30 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
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 to ask for a blessing to receive.
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. Please place your pledge (or increased pledge) in the offering box today!
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 God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: William, James, Harry
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Marlena and her baby, Beatrice, Charlie, Jonah, 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, esp. Egypt and Syria, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
From the Fathers…
“In order to bathe, one must first undress. So it is with the heart: it must be set free from the world’s outer covering in order to be accessible to the Cleanser. The healthful rays of the sun cannot reach the skin if we do not first uncover it and stand naked. So it is with the Spirit’s healing and life-giving power. “
—Tito Colliander, The Way of the Ascetics
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb;
the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Thy grave,
seeking Thy most pure body.
Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it.
Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (from the Menaion) Tone 4
Thy holy martyr Trophimus and his companions, O Lord,
Through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God.
For having Thy strength, they laid low their adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through their intercessions, save our souls!
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 on high
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 6
When Christ God the Giver of Life,
raised all of the dead from the valleys of misery with His mighty hand,
He bestowed resurrection on the human race.//
He is the Savior of all, the Resurrection, the Life, and the God of all.
Kontakion (general kontakion for martyrs) Tone 8
Ye have appeared as bright lamps, O holy martyrs!
Illumine the whole creation with the brightness of your miracles.
Deliver it from infirmity and drive away the deep darkness,
always interceding before Christ God for us all.
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.
