We can easily become distracted by so many things. In the midst of our rapid pace of life, we can also ‘lose track’ of where we’re headed and the priority we place on our souls and “the one thing needful,” our life with God, Him who is Eternal Life. In the end, what will all our hurrying here and there and the busyness with which we fill our days and weeks matter? For us as Christians we know that death is not the end, but that we will all come before the Judgment Seat of Christ to answer for how we have lived. For this reason, we strive to live with eternity before us, even as we keep ourselves focused on our source of Life, the Life of the world, and our Eternal Life, Jesus Christ. In our Epistle today we’re reminded of this truth: “You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain…” Lent gives us the opportunity to re-focus on our life with God and the working out our salvation with Him. For this reason, during Lent we increase our prayers as we fast, we prioritize the divine services of the Church that are so helpful in teaching us and continuing to grow us in the “faith once received” even as they unite us further in communion with God. We work on growing in humility and love, as we repent of all that’s not in keeping with our life with holy God. St. Paul asks us today, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation”? If we prioritize Christ and His Church this holy season we’ll make gains in our life in Christ, we’ll arrive at Pascha refreshed and energized, having made Christ and His eternal Kingdom the renewed focus of our life.
With much love in Christ, Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS:
- Wed, March 11, 7 p.m., PRESANCTIFIED LITURGY, Lenten Supper, Continued teaching on the Lord’s Prayer, St. Martin’s, Fellowship Hall A
- Sat, March 14, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers
- Sun, March 15, 9:30 Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy. Sunday of the Life-Giving Cross, Fr. Mark Koczak will be serving in Fr. Robert’s absence.
Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!
- Wed, March 18, 6:30 p.m., Presanctified Liturgy, SJCA Boathouse, Trapeza follows.
- Fri, March 13-Sat., March 21, Fr. Robert, Psa. Krissy leading OCF Realbreak Romania for National OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship). Fr. Mark Koczak is serving and on call for emergencies: 302-547-4952.
- Sat-Sun., March 28-29, LENTEN RETREAT with His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON, entitled, “The Ascetic Disciplines of the Orthodox Life: Baptizing the Culture in an Age of Disbelief.” Please register NOW online and see printable flyer at our website!
February Financial Report: Holy Archangels received a total of $3,209 in offerings in February. $2333 was pledged. Glory to God for this faithful response! We God for His provision and your faithfulness, which insures that our Mission can continue and grow! 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);
- Newly-departed Robert and Stephen
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Priest John, Dcn. Basil, Rdr. John, Benedict, James, Daniel, Seraphim, Ed, Bede, Wanda, George, Daniel, Maria and family, , the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted Orthodox brethren in Iraq & Syria, a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine., those suffering from Ebola and a speedy end to the disease.
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 6
The Angelic Powers were at Thy tomb; the guards became as dead men.
Mary stood by Thy grave, seeking Thy most pure body.
Thou didst capture hell not being tempted by it. Thou didst come to the Virgin, granting life.//
O Lord, Who didst rise from the dead, glory to Thee.
Troparion (St Gregory Palamas) Tone 8
O light of Orthodoxy, teacher of the Church, its confirmation,
O ideal of monks and invincible champion of theologians,
O wonderworking Gregory, glory of Thessalonica and preacher of grace,//
always intercede before the Lord that our souls may be saved!
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 (St Gregory Palamas) Tone 8
Holy and divine instrument of wisdom, joyful trumpet of theology,
together we sing thy praises, O God-inspired Gregory.
Since thou now standest before the Original Mind, guide our minds to Him, O Father,//
so that we may sing to thee: Rejoice, O preacher of grace!
Kontakion (from the Lenten Triodion) Tone 4
Now is the time for action! Judgment is at the doors!
So let us rise and fast, offering alms with tears of compunction and crying:
Our sins are more in number than the sands of the sea;
but forgive us, O Master of all,//so that we may receive the incorruptible crowns!
