Christ calls us through today’s Gospel to a deeper understanding of love. We are called as Christians not just to love those who are good to us, but even our adversaries. We love as Christ loves not by any power of ourselves, but only through our communion with the Author of that love, our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. Like that communion and participation in the life of the Holy Trinity that we are constantly seeking to grow in, love is a virtue that is dependent on that deifying journey of growth in the knowledge and love of God. This means that we learn increasingly by God’s grace to come “outside ourselves” to love and to serve. Love manifests itself in this outpouring of concern for others, foremost, a concern that they come to know the Author of Life, the Savior and only Lover of mankind, Jesus Christ. Our chief enemy to love is pride. Pride is the opposite of that which Christ calls us to in order to follow Him and inherit eternal life with Him. For this reason, He says, “Let him who would come after Me deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). The remedy to a hard or prideful heart is to pray and fight for growth in humility. For this reason, St. Paul admonishes us, saying, “Let this mind be in you which is in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5). Christ gives us the tools through His Church to grow in acquiring humility and love, which are always two sides of the same coin. Through the Sacraments, the divine worship, the witness of the Saints, and the work of healing He does in each of us if we let Him, foremost through the Sacrament of Confession and of reception of the Eucharist, we grow in that knowledge and love that He, in His love, desires to share with us so that we can learn to love “even those that hate us” and be called “sons of the Most High.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ bless you!
Fr. Robert+
This week at Holy Archangels:
- v Sunday, Sept 29, Following Trapeza, Sunday School planning meeting.
- v Wed., Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m., St. John Boathouse, 1st Applied Orthodox Theology Discussion
- v Thursday, Oct 3, 19.00-20.00, Evening Prayers and Discussion (midshipmen only)
- v Saturday, Oct 5, 6 p.m. Great Vespers with Matins Gospel. Confession following,
- v Saturday, Oct. 5, First Saturday Great Vespers & Potluck Dinner with Students and Mids.
- v Sunday, Oct 6, 9:30 a.m. Hours, 10 am Divine Liturgy,
- v Sunday, Oct. 6, SUNDAY SCHOOL begins
Looking Ahead: Important Dates!
- Sunday, Oct. 27, Pledge and Commitment Sunday for 2014—bring your completed “time, talent, and treasure” pledge cards to offer them to God during the Divine Liturgy.
- Thursday, Nov. 7, 6:00 p.m., Great Vespers with Litya for our PATRONAL FEAST of the Holy Archangels. Dinner and special guest speaker, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki.
- Friday, Nov. 8, 9:00 a.m. Hours for the Feast, followed by Divine Liturgy at 9:30. Lunch and special guest speaker, Fr. Timothy Hojnicki.
Prayer Requests:
- That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers as a living witness of His love, healing, power, and glory;”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission and our college ministry, ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- For our Mission that we may find a Choir Director;
- Pray for the departed soul of Marie, 106-year-old grandmother of Metropolitan TIKHON
- Healing for Archpriest George, Priest John, Rdr. Michael, Rdr. John, Benedict, Marina, Colette, Mary, Carol, Katherine, James, Charlene, Daniel, Michael Anthony, Sarah, the Church in Georgia and Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, for our suffering Orthodox brethren in Syria and Egypt.
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 (Venerable Kyriakus) Tone 1
Dweller of the desert and angel in the body,
You were shown to be a wonder-worker, our God-bearing Father Kyriakus.
You received heavenly gifts through fasting, vigil, and prayer;
healing the sick and the souls of those drawn to you by faith.
Glory to Him who gave your strength! // Glory to Him Who granted ↑you a crown!
Glory to Him Who through you grants healing to 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 (Resurrection) Tone 5
You descended into hell, O my Savior, // shattering its gates as Almighty,
resurrecting the dead as Creator, // and destroying the sting of death.
You have delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of Man,//
and we cry to You: “O Lord, save us!”
Kontakion (Venerable Kyriakus)T one 8
The sacred Lavra honors you as a mighty champion and helper,
and yearly celebrates your memory.
As you have boldness before the Lord: preserve us from our enemies
so that we may sing: “Rejoice, thrice-blessed Kyriacus!”
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
