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, righteous ‘fear’ of Him, and 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 in this world: it doesn’t have to be just money, but anything that takes the place of God, even one’s one self-righteousness. While greediness (regardless of how financially ‘well off’ one is) 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.”
House Blessings
The few weeks of house blessings has begun. We invite Christ into our homes to set them aside another year, to bless them, to protect them and us, and pray God to make them places manifesting Christ’s light, peace, truth, and love. Please contact Fr. Robert by Sunday, Jan. 25 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 and Thursdays Fr. Robert is generally not available).
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., No Applied Orthodox Discussion because of March for Life.
- Thursday, Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m., Meet at New Carrolton Metro Station for the annual March for Life with His Beatitude Metropolitan TIKHON and many other Orthodox Christians.
- Sat, Jan. 24, 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Confession offered following the service.
- Sun, Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m., Hours 10am Divine Liturgy
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Mon, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. Divine Liturgy, Great Feast of the Meeting of Christ in the Temple
- Sun, Feb. 22, Cheesefare/Forgiveness Sunday: Rite of Forgiveness
- Mon, Feb., 23, GREAT LENT begins
- Wed, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., First PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, St. John’s Boathouse
- Sat-Sun., March 28-29, Lenten Retreat with His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON
December Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $3,681 in offerings in December. $2500 was pledged. $29193 was received in offerings from Jan. – Dec. 2014. The annual budgeted amount based on pledges was $30,000. The new year of pledging has started: Please stay current with your pledges/offerings. Thank God for His provision and your faithful support, which insures that our Mission can continue and grow! 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);
- Departed servant, Rdr. Michael (one year) and departed handmaiden, Charlene (one year).
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, Robert and family, Daniel, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq and Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., for those suffering from the Ebola epidemic and a speedy end to the disease.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 7
By Thy Cross Thou didst destroy death. To the thief Thou didst open Paradise.
For the Myrrhbearers Thou didst change weeping into joy.
And Thou didst command Thy disciples, O Christ God, to proclaim that Thou art risen,//
granting the world great mercy.
Troparion (SS Athanasius and Cyril) Tone 3
You shone forth with works of Orthodoxy and quenched all heresy,
and became victorious trophy-bearers, O hierarchs Athanasius and Cyril.
You enriched all things with piety and greatly adorned the Church,
and worthily found Christ God, Who grants His great mercy to all.//
intercede before the Word, Christ our God, to 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 7
The dominion of death can no longer hold men 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, thou faithful, into the Resurrection!”
Kontakion (SS Athanasius and Cyril) Tone 4
O Athanasius and Cyril, great hierarchs of true piety, and noble champions of the Church of Christ,
Preserve all who sing:// O Compassionate Lord, save those who honor Thee!
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.
