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.”
In Christ God’s love and blessing, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Sat, Jan. 23, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession following
- Sun, Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Holy Archangels Moving! Glory to God! Holy Archangels is moving into our own end of January space to 47 Spa Rd, Suite 4, where we will beautifully appoint our church and be better positioned for growth “in spirit and in numbers.” To do so, we need everyone to be as generous as possible and even increase your monthly commitment to the church to meet the challenge of an additional $450 in rent. There are also many furnishings we need and a new door to install. So far, $50 additional monthly support has been committed. Glory to God and may He bless the hands through which He provides.
House Blessings: The season of house blessings is here. We invite Christ into our homes to set them aside, to bless them, 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 and times for a house blessing as soon as possible. He will do his best to accommodate you (n.b., Mondays, his day off, he is generally not available).
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s 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.
December Financial Report: We received $5,238 in offerings in December. In 2015, $37,057 was received. We are running a deficit of $1,615. This represents an almost 1,000 decrease in our deficit from last month due largely to your faithful giving. Glory to God for His provision thru your faithfulness! 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 & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Newly-departed Wayne
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Governor Hogan, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Bede, Wanda, Eric, George, Daniel, John, Stephanie, Noah, Norm, 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, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Troparion (Resurrection)
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One!
Thou didst accept the three day burial to free us from our sufferings!//
O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to Thee!
Troparion (Venerable Father Anthony the Great)Tone 4
Thou didst imitate the ways of zealous Elijah,
and didst follow the straight path of John the Baptist.
Thou becamest a desert-dweller,
strengthening the world by thy prayers.//
O Father Anthony, intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved!
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 (Resurrection) Tone 8
By rising from the tomb, Thou hast raised the dead and resurrected Adam.
Eve exults in Thy Resurrection,
and the world celebrates Thy rising from the dead, O greatly Merciful One!
Kontakion (Venerable Father Anthony the Great) Tone 2
Thou didst reject the tumult of this life
living thy life to the end in solitude, imitating the Baptist in every way.
With him we honor thee, most venerable Anthony,//
thou foundation of the Fathers.
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.
