Humility seems so hard to come by while pride, of course, is always tempting us. Pride doesn’t just manifest itself in arrogance, but often—maybe even more often—in over-sensitivity and feelings of inferiority. The common denominator? Self-focus rather than focus on Christ, our Lord and our God. Where ego and reliance on self is concerned, whether that be in regard to our appearance, our identity, our abilities, or our purpose in life, pride won’t be far behind. It will haunt us, belittle us, and try to make us forget who we are in Christ. This is why pride, of all the vices, is often said, not only to be the first of sins, but the most destructive: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). While pride often makes us feel invincible, because of it, we suffer from the greatest insecurities because of our reliance on self, our own self-deception. God wants to free us from such sin-sickness. He Himself is humble, having condescended to our lowly nature to enter into that nature as man and renew our human nature as God. Today’s Gospel also gives us an example of how God will humble those who exalt themselves, and how He will exalt those who are humble. Through our fervent prayers for humility and against pride, through our worship and participation in the sacramental life of Christ in His Church, we can grow more and more into the likeness of God, confident not in ourselves, but in who we are in Christ Jesus.
In His love, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Wednesday, February 13, 6:30 p.m., Daily Vespers, St. John’s College Boathouse
- v Saturday, February 16, 6 p.m.,Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- v Sunday, February 17, 9:30 a.m. Hours, Divine Liturgy followed by Trapeza.
Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!
- v Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24 , Meet His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON on His first Visit to Holy Archangels.
- v Saturday, Feb. 23, Great Vespers, 5 p.m., followed by dinner (offerings welcome);
- v Sunday, Feb. 24, Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude followed by festive Trapeza.
- v Sunday, March 10, First Holy Archangels Annual Meeting, all members welcome!
- v Sunday, March 17, Divine Liturgy—Sunday of Forgiveness and Cheesefare. Forgiveness Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness to follow Trapeza. All are encouraged to attend as we begin Lent together in the spirit of mutual forgiveness!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for God’s ongoing financial provision for our Mission.
- Please pray for our Mission that we may find a Choir Director and that we may continue to grow in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of God’s love, healing, power, and glory.
- Healing for Fr. George Johnson, Viorica, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, Leah and her baby.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 3
Let the heavens rejoice!
Let the earth be glad!
For the Lord has shown strength with His arm.
He has trampled down death by death.
He has become the first born of the dead.
He has delivered us from the depths of hell,
and has granted to the world//
great mercy.
Troparion (Hieromartyr Haralambos) Tone 4
You became a firm pillar in the Church of Christ, wise Haralambos;
a lamp of everlasting light to the world:
well known to the world through your martyrdom,
you dispelled the dark night of idolatry.//
Boldly intercede with Christ God that He may save our souls!
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 3
On this day You rose from the tomb, O Merciful One,
leading us from the gates of death.
On this day Adam exults as Eve rejoices;
with the Prophets and Patriarchs//
they unceasingly praise the divine majesty of Your power.
Kontakion (Hieromartyr Haralambos) Tone 4
You rose from the East like a star, Hieromartyr Haralambos,
and enlightened the faithful with the brightness of your miracles.//
Therefore we honor your holy contest.
Kontakion (Holy Archangels)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,//
Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
