We’re admonished in today’s Epistle against the sin of division (schism), which maniftests itself not only in false doctrine and false morality but also in our idle talk, our gossip, our disobedience to Christ and the Church. In our culture today, there are many things that compete for our time, energy, and identity. Wherever we listen to those voices that would have us take on another identity above that which Christ God gives us as His adopted sons and daughters, we will be divided. Likewise, there are many ‘forces’ at work today that try to shame us away from putting Christ (and our identity in Him) first. Humanism, like Communism or any other “ism” before it cannot take the place of that for which we are created—communion with God. And these ‘religions’ of man cannot unite the human race together because they are full of man’s own vain materialist efforts. Christ gives us a new identity—one that transcends all the other competing, prideful identities that separate us and lead otherwise to schism. In Him and in Him alone, we’re given a new name and become “a new creation,” (II Cor. 5:17). What is demanded of us is that we prioritize Christ and His Kingdom above all else, as Christ says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33). We witness to the truth of this new, unifying life, by living it out in our own lives, individually and corporately, by submitting ourselves to Christ and the Church—even when the culture tells us differently. If we want to see our culture change to embrace Christ and the Church, we “take up our cross” and follow Christ too. But be prepared, as St. Paul says today: “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” May we each put our trust in God and ground our identity in Christ, who is eternal, rather than who the culture says we should be with all that is passing away.
In Christ’s love, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- v Wed., Aug. 6, 12 Noon, Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Transfiguration, USNA. You must RSVP for this Feast at the USNA. Email Fr. Robert with RSVP (Fr.RobertMiclean@gmail.com) no later than Monday, Aug. 4, if you can join us! Transportation to the Academy Chapel will be provided as there is no public access by car.
- v Fri., August 8, 7 p.m., Fr. Robert leads Little Compline and teaching for the Plebes at USNA
- v Saturday, August 9, 6 p.m., Great Vespers with Confession following
- v Sunday, August 10, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy Trapeza following Liturgy
Save the Date!
- Friday, Aug. 15, 12 Noon, Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Dormition, USNA. Email Fr. Robert by Wed., Aug. 13 if you can join us for this Great Feast of our Lady!
- All are strongly encouraged to take time off work/school to participate in these Great Feasts of the Church taking place during the Dormition Fast and Feast for the edification and deification of our souls!
- Sunday, Aug. 17, some Orthodox Plebes will join us at Holy Archangels for Divine Liturgy.
- Sunday, Aug. 24, Blessing of new Vehicles!
6-Month Financial Report: Holy Archangels has received a total of $12,385 in offerings from January thru June 2014. The budgeted amount based on pledges is $15,000. This leaves us a gap of 2,614 to make up between now and Dec. to meet our expenses. Please do everything possible to stay current with your pledges/offerings, and consider increasing your offering or making a special one-time offering to help meet this deficit. Thank God for His provision for this Mission and thank you for your faithful contributions! The Holy Archangels Mission Council
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- For the victims of the Malaysian airline disaster and their families
- Archpriest George, Archpriest Michael, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Rdr. Zenon and family, Benedict, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Daniel, Sarah, Seraphim, George, Anne, Ed, Johnson, Jeanette, and Family, Bede, Willy, Rachael, Kent and Nancy, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Iraq, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Your Cross You destroyed death. // To the thief You opened Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers You changed weeping into joy.
And You commanded Your disciples, O Christ God,
to proclaim that You are risen,// granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (for the Martyrs) Tone 4
O God of our Fathers, // always act with kindness towards us;
take not Your mercy from us, // but guide our lives in peace//
through the prayers of Venerable Isaac, Dalmatus, and Faustus!
Troparion (Holy Archangels) Tone 4
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 (Resurrection) Tone 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold mankind captive,
for Christ descended, shattering and destroying its powers.
Hell is bound, while the Prophets rejoice and cry:
“The Savior has come to those in faith;// enter, you faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (for the Martyrs) Tone 2
Through asceticism you shone like lights in the world, // and by your faith you overthrew heresies.
We praise you with hymns, Isaac, Dalmátus, and Faustus,//
as servants of Christ, who are praying for us all.
