On this Mother’s Day of Pascha, we thank God for the contributions that our mothers have made in our lives. We see a beautiful example of our Savior’s love for His mother, Mary, the Theotokos, in His life-giving passion. We read in the Gospel account that as He was dying, “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home” (John 19:26-27). Mary was fore-told, that she would suffer much grief over her Son, the One who would redeem Israel and all the world. The righteous prophet Simeon proclaimed to her as He blessed the infant Jesus: “a sword will pierce through your own soul” (Lk. 2:35). For Mary, Christ’s suffering, torture, and cruxifiction must have caused her great pain, knowing that Jesus was perfect in every way, the Messiah sent by God, God Himself incarnate—yet at the same time, her own and only son. Through His suffering and death, Christ destroyed sin and death. He did so on behalf of the world, all mankind. He defeated sin and death also on behalf of that mother, Mary the Theotokos, whom He loved and still loves, and He defeated sin and death on your behalf as well, because He loves you with that same perfect agape love which was His motivation to humbly undergo so much suffering and painful rejection of His love and gift of life, on our behalf.
Thank you, Mothers, for all you do in nurturing and loving your children! There is no greater work, nothing more sacred or of such eternal significance that a mother can do. Thank you, Mary, Holy Theotokos, for all that you suffered and continue to suffer for the world as you intercede for us all before your Son and our God. We thank you, Christ God, for Thy love outpoured upon the cross, which is the well-spring of our true life and communion with Thee. Enable us, O Lord, that we may walk in Thy light and become fellow partakers of Life Immortal.
Christ is risen!
Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Saturday, May 18, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following.
- v Sunday, May 19, 9:30 a.m. Hours 10 am Divine Liturgy, Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women followed by Trapeza
Looking Ahead: Save the Dates!
- v Picnic at the Rectory: Pentecost Sunday, June 23 (bring a large blanket and your trapeza contribution to share at the picnic at the Rectory). 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, Woodrow, Marilee, Barbara, Michael Anthony, Alethia, Rdr. Andrew.
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 7
From the sealed tomb, You shone forth, O Life!
Through closed doors You came to Your Disciples, O Christ God.
Renew in us, through them, an upright spirit,//
by the greatness of Your mercy, O Resurrection of all!
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 8
Thomas touched Your life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God,
when You came to Your Apostles through closed doors.
He cried out with all: “You are my Lord and my God!”
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.
