“Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind” (John 9: 32). With this miracle, Christ again reveals Himself to be the Logos (Word) of God, the One through Whom God the Father created the universe, speaking it into being. He is the One who created us in His image and likeness, that we could participate in a communion with Him for eternity. Our stubborn willfulness and pride (our sin) destroyed that communion. But God in His love and mercy has restored it by becoming incarnate, entering into human nature to restore it, and making a way for us to regain our former glory, our communion with our Creator.
The blind man had sat begging at the Temple every day. He was known to all. Christ God visits him and restores his sight, revealing Himself to be God. The miracle is even more remarkable than it first seems. Not only has no one ever opened the eyes of one born blind before, BUT, as the Holy Fathers tell us, this man was born WITHOUT EYES. Not only did Christ God, the Word of God through Whom all things were made and all life came forth, open the blind man’s eyes, He MADE eyes for the blind man, which He then opened. Just as our first parent, Adam, was taken from the clay and made alive, so Jesus takes clay and makes eyes for the blind man. There is a clear parallel here to the first creation of man, but here there is even more: Christ God not only gives the blind man physical eyes, not only does He then open those eyes so the blind man can see, but even more importantly, He gives him the sight within—He awakens and illumines the blind man’s immortal soul, giving Him a living encounter with God, revealing Himself to him, and bringing him to the knowledge and love of Him. The blind man comes to faith in the living God; he receives spiritual sight and worships God, his Creator, the only Lover of mankind. With the blind man, we cry to God to illumine us as well and save us through repentance.
In the love and mercy of the risen Christ, Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Thursday, June 13, The Holy Ascension of our Lord, Special Hours followed by Divine Liturgy begin at 9:30 a.m
- v Saturday, June 15, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- v Sunday, June 16, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy, Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council and Fathers’ Day. We will commemorate our fathers (godfathers, fathers, and grandfathers), departed and living. Please send names by email to Fr. Robert by 3 p.m. Saturday, specifying living and departed.
Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!
- v Sunday, June 23, Picnic at the Rectory: Pentecost Sunday (bring a large blanket and your Trapeza contribution to share for a picnic at the Rectory, 1353 Tydings Rd., Annapolis). Rainy day reschedule date is Sunday, June 30.
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 Archpriest George, Priest John, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, Katherine, Carey, Hannah, Luke, Caroline, Elizabeth, Carrie, James, Charlene, Daniel, Adele, Michael Anthony, Alethia, Rdr. Andrew, the Church in Georgia.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 5
Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word,
co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit,
born for our salvation from the Virgin;
for He willed to be lifted up on the Cross in the flesh,
to endure death, // and to raise the dead//
by His glorious Resurrection.
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 (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 4
I come to You, O Christ, blind from birth in my spiritual eyes,
and call to You in repentance:// “You are the most radiant Light of those in darkness.”
Kontakion (Pascha) Tone 8
You descended into the tomb, O Immortal,
You destroyed the power of death.
In victory You arose, O Christ God,
proclaiming: “Rejoice!” to the Myrrhbearing Women,//
granting peace to Your Apostles, and bestowing resurrection on the fallen.
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.
