Christ God shatters the myth that being ‘good’ is ‘good enough’. Inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven is not just about following God’s commandments, as important as they are, but doing so because of love for God, a desire to be made compatible to be in His near presence, which is what it means to have eternal life. The Pharisee (Luke 18) was condemned for his self-righteousness while King David, an adulterer and a murderer, was said to be “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). The rich ruler in today’s Gospel causes us to reflect on ourselves: what may I have put before God, what idols grip me? Do I rest on my ‘laurels,’ thinking that my outward ‘doing of the faith,’ doing my ‘duty’ before God, will save me, or, that I’m ‘good’ enough as is, that I can, in effect, save myself? Many things can take hold of us; it doesn’t have to be money—anything can take the place of God, even one’s one self-righteousness. While the rich ruler’s wealth is an impediment, it is but a sad reflection of a heart that’s reliant on self and not on the Savior of the world. “Who then can be saved?” ask the Disciples. We take strong comfort from Christ’s reassuring words, “The things which are impossible for men are possible with God.” Yours in Christ, Fr.Robert+
2019 Pledges/Commitments. We give back a “first fruits” pledge to Christ from what He’s so mercifully given and entrusted to us. Everything we have is a gracious gift from God. Let us be as those servants who used their talentswisely and to God’s glory (Matt. 25:23). If you have not done so yet, please offer your pledge of talents today. To grow in faith and sustain and grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers,” please give generously and faithfully. “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).
THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS
- TODAY, 9:30Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,Te Deum, thanksgiving to God for our Mission, Romania’s Cen-tenary/100thanniversary of Reunion, Trapeza,Sunday School..
- Wed., Dec. 5, 6 p.m., Great Vespers, Feast of St. Nicholas
- Wed., Dec. 5, 7-8 p.m., Patristics Study, “The Way of Life: Let Me Get to Christ.” This Week: St. Ignatius’ “Epistle to the Smyrnaeans“
- Thurs., Dec. 6, 7-8 p.m.,Akathist of St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas Orthodox Chapelin the Bancroft Hall Rotunda (right side corridor–to right of stairs) at the USNA (enter via Gate 3 on Maryland Ave or via Gate 1, show govt. id).A USNA map can befound here.
- Sat, Dec. 8,6:00 p.m., Great VespersConfession following
- Sun, Dec. 9,9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy,trapeza, Sunday School.
Looking Ahead…Mark your Calendars!
- Thurs, Dec. 13,5:30 p.m., Annual Colinde(Romanian Caroling, Orthodox and Western favorites)
- Mon, Dec. 24,10 p.m., Great Feast of the Holy Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ(‘the Winter Pascha’):Compline, Nocturns, Divine Liturgy.
Confession and Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice at least monthlyconfession. If a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.
TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other. To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is important. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!
Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”
- For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
- Departed founders of our church: Archpriest George, the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, Marcia, Mother of Fr. David Subu
- Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Archpriest George, Sbn. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Geneva, Phoenix, Sydney, Young, Liam, Eleni, Valerie, Charlotte, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Jessica (sister of Kelly Vernet), Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren everywhere, peace in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 2
When Thoudidst descend to death, O Life immortal,
Thou didst slay hell with the splendor of Thy Godhead.
And whenfrom the depths Thou didst raisethe dead,
all the powers of heaven cried out://
“O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to Thee!”
Troparion (Prophet Habakkuk) Tone 2
We celebrate the memory // of thy Prophet Habakkuk, O Lord;
through himwe beseechThee:// “Saveour souls!”
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts,// we who are unworthy beseechyou:// by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,// and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!
Kontakion (Resurrection) Tone 2
Hellbecame afraid, O almighty Savior,
seeing the miracle of Thy Resurrection from the tomb!
The deadarose! Creation, with Adam, beheld this and rejoicedwith Thee,// and the world, my Savior, praises Theeforever.
Kontakion (Prophet Habakkuk) Tone 8
Divinelyeloquent Habakkuk, thou didst announce to the world thecoming forth of God from the south; from the Virgin.
Standing on the divinewatch, thou didst receivea report from the radiantAngel:
“’Thou didst proclaimthe Resurrection of Christto the world!”
Therefore in gladness we cry outto thee://
“Rejoice, splendid adornment of the Prophets!”
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angelsandguidesof mankind
//askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
