St John the Theologian Orthodox Mission

Thoughts for Cheesefare Tuesday with the Readings and Comments

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Thought for the Day

"If we dare to call ourselves Orthodox Christians, if we are bold enough to utter even a single prayer to God, then we must first examine ourselves and see if we are truly humble. We must carefully inspect our relationships at home, at work and in the parish. Where we see conflict, we know that we still lack humility. The perfectly humble man or woman has no such animosities towards his or her brethren."

-- His Eminence, Archbishop JOSEPH

In the Liturgical Year from which St. Theophan the Recluse' Thoughts for Every Day of the Church Year were compiled, Cheesefare Tuesday coincided with the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord because the Old Calendar which St. Theophan followed is thirteen days later than the New Calendar. For this reason, in his book, the readings are for the Feast of the Presentation rather than for Cheesefare Tuesday. The following are the readings for Cheesefare Tuesday:

Jude 1:1-10

Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.

It is important that we heed the warning of this short Epistle of St. Jude: We must “content earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” because “certain men have crept in unnoticed, [such as Arius and other heretics] that “turn the grace of God in to licentiousness [saying that the grace of God allows us to sin with impunity and without serious consequence; that since God will forgive us, we can sin presuming on God’s grace] and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ [denying the dogmas of Trinity and the Incarnation]. Thus we are reminded that many of Israel who were led out of Egypt were destroyed because they sinned in the wilderness and many of God’s righteous angels, because they rebelled are “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” Contending for the true faith means that each of us, in our own lives, struggle to live according to the Orthodox Christian Faith as “once and for all delivered” to us by the Apostles and their successors and not be led astray to the teachings and traditions of men who deny and replace this faith with innovations that destroy the soul.

Luke 22:39-42; 45-23:1

Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly. Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?” And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. “And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. “Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” Then the whole multitude of them arose and led Him to Pilate.

On the soul-destructive nature of making false and malicious
statements (calumny) about others
[Part 6 of 6]

"A soldier has his whole body encased in a suit of armor; yet, if a single very small aperture appears in the armor, and provides an arrow with a point of entry, it brings death upon a brave man. So also with the door of the ear: if a calumniator finds it open, the man who accepts his words suffers the most terrible destruction. This door is so great that death, in all of its immensity, went through it and entered the world. It has since been swallowing all the generations of mankind, and still remains insatiable. Your ears should be shut with bolts and bars, so that no accusation may enter them. Do not ignore calumny as something trivial and incapable of causing destruction."

--St. Ephraim the Syrian

That we must always avoid dwelling on the sins of others
and gossiping about them

"One who busies himself with the sins of others, or who condemns his brother out of suspicion, has not yet begun to repent; and does not seek to know his own sins, which are - in truth - heavier than a quantity of lead weighing many talents. [In addition, he does not] realize why it is that a man becomes slow of heart, loving vanity and questing after falsehood. For this reason, as one foolish and walking in darkness, he disregards his own sins, and becomes preoccupied - in his imagination - with the sins of others --- whether they really have occurred, or he merely suspects they have."

St. Maximos the Confessor

Thoughts for the Day, Cheesfare Monday

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"Humble people have no needless or petty quarrels with others, because they have no egocentric desires to always have their own way. They are not self-seeking; for they know that it is God’s will, not their own, that they should strive for. Therefore, humility naturally brings with it unity, both with God and with our fellows."

-- His Eminence, Archbishop JOSEPH

Thoughts for Cheesefare Monday by Theophan the Recluse

III John 1-14; Luke 19:29-40, 2,2:7-39

What does it mean to walk in truth (III John 1:4)? It means to accept truth in your heart, to abide in such thoughts and feelings as the truth requires. In this way, it is the truth that God is everywhere and sees everything. He who accepts this truth with his heart and begins to keep himself both inwardly and outwardly as if God Himself is before him and is seeing everything within him, is walking in this truth. It is true that God contains all, and that without Him we cannot do anything successfully. He who accepts this with his heart and turns in prayer to God for help in whatever he does, accepting whatever happens to him as being from the hand of the Lord, is walking in this truth. It is true that death could steal us away at any hour, and that immediately after death comes the [particular] Judgment. He who accepts this truth with his heart and begins to live as if he were about to die this minute and appear before the Judgment of God, is walking in this truth. So it is concerning every other truth.

On the soul-destructive nature of making false and malicious
statements (calumny) about others
[Part 5 of 6]

"Brother, do not put up with someone who maligns others, even if he is speaking the truth, lest you suffer the same calamity as he did. For if it happens that someone speaks the truth in saying that the king has sinned and is evil, none of the bystanders will endure hearing such comments against the king; for if a bystander is content to stand and listen, there is punishment in store for both the speaker and him. The former is put to death for what he says, and the latter for what he hears. The liar accuses someone, you incline your ear to him and the death - which he emits through his mouth - is received by your ears; and after accepting the yeast of falsehood, you kneed your heart with it."

-- St. Ephraim the Syrian

Sunday of the Last Judgment

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Thoughts for Every Day of the Church Year by Theophan the Recluse
FRIDAY
II John 1:1-13; Mark 15:11-15, 33-41

St. John the Theologian writes: Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh (II John 1:7). Such it was in his time, whereas now deceivers enter the world who confess that Christ is come in the flesh, but who nevertheless are "deceivers and antichrists" (cf. II John 1:7). This began more openly in the time of Arius and continues to this day. However, the ancient deceivers stumbled more in the dogma about the person of Jesus Christ our Savior, whereas from the time of Luther they began to stumble in the teaching about salvation in Him. How many such "teachers" have there been? Among us there have appeared "deceivers and antichrists," who say "believe and it is enough"; nothing more is needed—neither the Church, nor the Sacraments, nor the priesthood. These too begin their deception starting with Christ the Lord and salvation in Him. But since they do not interpret these correctly, they are antichrists, and subject to condemnation. Beware of them. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ bath not God (II John 1:9). These people do not have Him, because they do not have the doctrine of Christ. This doctrine is in the Church, and they have separated themselves from the Church. Only those who follow the Church have the doctrine of Christ and abide in it. They therefore have both Christ, the Son of God, and God the Father. But the others do not, although they keep saying that they do. Do not receive them, neither bid them Godspeed (cf. II John 1:10).

SATURDAY (COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD)
I Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:24-30

Now the Holy Church directs our attention beyond the borders of our present life, to our fathers and brothers who have passed on from here. The Church hopes, by reminding us of their state (which we ourselves shall not escape), to prepare us to spend Cheese-fare Week properly, as well as Great Lent, which follows. Let us listen to our mother, the Church; and commemorating our fathers and brothers, let us take care to prepare ourselves for our passing over to the other world. Let us bring to mind our sins and bemoan them, setting out in the future to keep ourselves pure from any defilement. For nothing unclean will enter the Kingdom of God, and at the Judgment no one unclean will be justified. After death you cannot expect purification. You will remain as you are when you cross over. You must prepare your cleansing here. Let us hurry, for who can predict how long one will live? Life could be cut off this very hour. How can we appear unclean in the other world? With what eyes will we look at our fathers and brothers who will meet us? How will we answer their questions: "What is this that is wrong in you? What is this? And what is this ?" What shame will cover us! Let us hasten to set right all that is out of order, to appear at least in a somewhat tolerable and bearable state in the other world.

SUNDAY OF THE LAST JUDGMENT (MEATFARE SUNDAY)
I Cor. 8:8-9:2; Matt. 25:31-46

The Dread Judgment! The Judge comes in the clouds, surrounded by a countless multitude of bodiless heavenly powers. Trumpets sound to all the ends of the earth and raise up the dead. The risen regiments pour into the preordained place, to the throne of the Judge, having a foreboding of what verdict will sound in their ears. For everyone's works are written on the brow of their nature, and their very appearance will correspond to their deeds and morals. The division of those on His right hand and those on His left is accomplished in and of itself. At last all has been determined. Deep silence falls. In another instant, the decisive verdict of the Judge is heard: to some, "Come," to the others, "Depart." "Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! May Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us!" they shall say, but then it will already be too late to plead. We need to take the trouble now to wash away the unfavorable marks written upon our nature. At the Judgment, we may be ready to pour out rivers of tears in order to wash ourselves, but this would do us no good then. Let us weep now—if not rivers of tears, then at least streams; if not streams, then at least drops. If we cannot find even this much, then let us become contrite in heart, and confess our sins to the Lord, begging Him to forgive them, and promising not to offend Him any more through the violation of His commandments. Then, let us be zealous to faithfully fulfill this promise.

On the soul-destructive nature of making false and malicious
statements (calumny) about others
[Part 4 of 6]

"When you see proud men unable to tolerate praise being given to men who are better than they, and contriving to suppress the truth that is being spoken, stifling it with countless aspersions and wicked slanders, please understand that the Lord is being crucified by these men, and guarded by soldiers and seals. But the Word rises again and overturns them. He shines forth evermore when He is attacked --- being steeled for dispassion through sufferings; for since He both is, and is called, the Truth, He is stronger than all things."

--Saint Ephraim the Syrian

Thoughts for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son through the Saturday Following

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

"If God is love, charity should know no limit, for God cannot be confined. Any time is the right time for works of charity...A generous spirit is itself great wealth. There can be no shortage of material for generosity where it is Christ who feeds and Christ who is fed."
-- St. Leo of Rome

Yours in Christ,
His Eminence, Archbishop JOSEPH

Thoughts for Everyday of the Church Year by
Theophan the Recluse

WEDNESDAY
I John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-15:1

If help is needed, ask. "I asked," you say, "and it was not given." But then why is it given to others? With the Lord there is no respect of persons, that He would give to one, and not give to another, without any reason. He is ready to give to all—for He loves to give. If He does not give to someone, the reason is not in Him, but in the one asking help. Among such reasons can be some that we cannot even guess. But there exist known reasons, visible to everyone. St. John points out one of these reasons (and is it not the chief reason?) to be the absence of confidence, and the absence of confidence comes from condemnation by the heart or the conscience. Beloved, he says, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (I John 3:2.1). There is nothing more to add to these words. Everything is clear in and of itself. What master will help an unfaithful servant, a squanderer and profligate? Will the Lord really indulge us when we do not want to please Him and fulfill His commandments, if we only start praying when an extreme need arises?

THURSDAY
I John 4:20-5:21; Mark 15:1-15

This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith (I John 5:4)—the Christian Faith. To overcome the world—what does this mean? Not to exterminate all those who love the world, or to annihilate and destroy all which is loved by the world. It means rather that while living amidst those who love the world and moving amidst customs loved by the world, we should live as ones alien to everyone and everything. As soon as you have rejected the world and everything worldly, you have by this very action overcome the world. But what teaches you to reject the world and what gives you strength for this? Our [Orthodox] Faith. It discloses the destructiveness of the delusions of the world and inspires the desire to free oneself of their nets. Then, when one resolves to break these bonds, when one repents and approaches the Mysteries of renewal—Baptism or Repentance—faith allows him to mystically feel the sweetness of a life opposed to the world, a sweetness with which all the pleasures of the world cannot in any way enter into comparison. As a result, a loathing for everything worldly dwells in the heart, which is actually victory over the world. But in this mystical action, as a result of which loathing for the world is born, the power to steadfastly abide in this loathing and alienation from the world is also granted; and this is a decisive and lasting victory.

FRIDAY
II John 1:1-13; Mark 15:11-15, 33-41

SATURDAY (COMMEMORATION OF THE DEAD)
I Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:24-30

On the soul-destructive nature of making false and malicious
statements (calumny) about others
[Part 3 of 6]

"One who speaks in a dispassionate way about a brother's sin, does so for two reasons: either in order to correct him, or in order to benefit someone else. If he speaks about the sin for any other reason than these, either to the brother or to someone else, he does this either to insult or ridicule him, and he will not escape being forsaken by God; and he will - without fail - fall into the same sin or another sin, and - censured and rebuked by others - will be put to shame."

--St. Isaac the Syrian

Thoughts for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son through the Friday Following

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

MONDAY
I John 2:18-3:10; Mark 11:1-11

Yesterday the parable about the Prodigal Son invited us to return from dissipation to the good path. Now the Holy Apostle John inspires us for this, giving us the assurance that if we do this, then when the Lord appears we will be like Him. What can compare with such a dignity? I should think that upon hearing this, you would be filled with a desire to attain this for yourself. It is a good and most necessary thing! Do not put off undertaking that through which it is attained. Read further: Every man that had this hope in Him, purifies himself even as He is pure (I John 3:3). Is there anything within you in need of purifying? Of course—no small amount will be found. Make haste: for where the Lord is, nothing that defiles shall enter in (cc. Rev. 21:27). Do not be taken aback by the difficulty of this matter. The Lord Himself will be your Helper in all things. Simply desire it wholeheartedly and turn to the Lord for His much-needed help. His grace-filled power will merge with your effort, and things will go easily and successfully. As there is no sin that can overcome the mercy of God, so there is no moral uncleanness that can resist the grace-filled power that consumes it. Only on your part, let there be a lack of desire for this uncleanness, an earnest effort to repulse it, and your recourse in faith to the Lord.

TUESDAY
I John 3:11–20; Mark 14:10-41

St. Peter fervently insisted that he would not reject the Lord; but when it came down to it, he denied Him, and three times, no less. Such is our weakness! Do not rely upon yourself, and when you enter into the midst of enemies, place all your hope of overcoming them in the Lord. For this purpose a fall was allowed to this great man—so that afterwards no one would dare on his own to do something good or to overcome some enemy, either internal or external. You must hope in the Lord, but not stop trying. Help from the Lord joins our efforts, and thus makes them powerful. If these efforts are not there, God's help has nowhere to descend, and it will not descend. But again, if you are filled with self-reliance, and consequently you have no need for help and seek no help—again, God's help will not descend. How is it to descend when it is considered unnecessary? Neither, in this case, is there anything with which to receive it. It is received by the heart. The heart opens up to receive it through a feeling of need. So both the former and the latter are needed. Say, "Help, 0 God!" But don't just lie around.

WEDNESDAY
I John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-15:1

THURSDAY
I John 4:20-5:21; Mark 15:1-15

FRIDAY
II John 1:1-13; Mark 15:11-15, 33-41

--St. Isaac the Syrian

Thoughts for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son through the Thursday Following

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

We are back on schedule and will stay that way, Lord willing. We will retain this weeks readings as presented at the last posting, deleting the first reading on the following day. Beginning on Friday, the reading for the Sunday of the Prodigal son will be deleted, on Saturday, past Monday's reading will be deleted, etc. This will happen until only the reading for the present day remains.
In addition, we will be sharing some readings from Saint Isaac the Syrian concerning "evil speaking" which Fr. Demetrios Carellas has been sending to his email recipients. These are excellent, presenting the mind of the Church and at the same time, they are extremely sobering. No one thing is more destructive in the life of the Church than gossip (which the Bible calls "slander") and all other kinds of death-dealing words about others. The Apostle Paul says, "let no unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth . . ." These give an alarming definition of what Paul is writing about.
Thoughts of Theophan the Recluse:

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
I Cor. 6:12-20; Luke 15:11-32.
The Sunday of the Prodigal Son says so much to us! It speaks about our peace and abundance in the house of the Heavenly Father, about our mad departure from the Father's guardianship to unbridled freedom, about the richness of the heritage given us despite our disobedience, about its reckless waste on all sorts of indecencies, and about our utter impoverishment as a result. But then it talks also about how one recovers his senses and, coming to himself, decides to return to his greatly merciful Father. It talks about how he returns, how he is received lovingly and is restored to his first state. Who will not find this lesson profitable? If you abide in your Father's house, do not strive for freedom. You see how a similar experience ended! If you have run away and are squandering all, stop this quickly. If you have already squandered everything and are living in poverty, resolve quickly to return—and then, return. There every lenience and the former love and prosperity await you. This last step is the most necessary one. But there is no point in enlarging upon this. All has been said concisely and clearly. Come to your senses, resolve to return, arise and hasten to the Father. His embrace is open and ready to receive you.

MONDAY
I John 2:18-3:10; Mark 11:1-11
Yesterday the parable about the Prodigal Son invited us to return from dissipation to the good path. Now the Holy Apostle John inspires us for this, giving us the assurance that if we do this, then when the Lord appears we will be like Him. What can compare with such a dignity? I should think that upon hearing this, you would be filled with a desire to attain this for yourself. It is a good and most necessary thing! Do not put off undertaking that through which it is attained. Read further: Every man that had this hope in Him, purifies himself even as He is pure (I John 3:3). Is there anything within you in need of purifying? Of course—no small amount will be found. Make haste: for where the Lord is, nothing that defiles shall enter in (cc. Rev. 21:27). Do not be taken aback by the difficulty of this matter. The Lord Himself will be your Helper in all things. Simply desire it wholeheartedly and turn to the Lord for His much-needed help. His grace-filled power will merge with your effort, and things will go easily and successfully. As there is no sin that can overcome the mercy of God, so there is no moral uncleanness that can resist the grace-filled power that consumes it. Only on your part, let there be a lack of desire for this uncleanness, an earnest effort to repulse it, and your recourse in faith to the Lord.

TUESDAY
I John 3:11–20; Mark 14:10-41
St. Peter fervently insisted that he would not reject the Lord; but when it came down to it, he denied Him, and three times, no less. Such is our weakness! Do not rely upon yourself, and when you enter into the midst of enemies, place all your hope of overcoming them in the Lord. For this purpose a fall was allowed to this great man—so that afterwards no one would dare on his own to do something good or to overcome some enemy, either internal or external. You must hope in the Lord, but not stop trying. Help from the Lord joins our efforts, and thus makes them powerful. If these efforts are not there, God's help has nowhere to descend, and it will not descend. But again, if you are filled with self-reliance, and consequently you have no need for help and seek no help—again, God's help will not descend. How is it to descend when it is considered unnecessary? Neither, in this case, is there anything with which to receive it. It is received by the heart. The heart opens up to receive it through a feeling of need. So both the former and the latter are needed. Say, "Help, 0 God!" But don't just lie around.

WEDNESDAY
I John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-15:1
If help is needed, ask. "I asked," you say, "and it was not given." But then why is it given to others? With the Lord there is no respect of persons, that He would give to one, and not give to another, without any reason. He is ready to give to all—for He loves to give. If He does not give to someone, the reason is not in Him, but in the one asking help. Among such reasons can be some that we cannot even guess. But there exist known reasons, visible to everyone. St. John points out one of these reasons (and is it not the chief reason?) to be the absence of confidence, and the absence of confidence comes from condemnation by the heart or the conscience. Beloved, he says, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (I John 3:2.1). There is nothing more to add to these words. Everything is clear in and of itself. What master will help an unfaithful servant, a squanderer and profligate? Will the Lord really indulge us when we do not want to please Him and fulfill His commandments, if we only start praying when an extreme need arises?

THURSDAY
I John 4:20-5:21; Mark 15:1-15
This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith (I John 5:4)—the Christian Faith. To overcome the world—what does this mean? Not to exterminate all those who love the world, or to annihilate and destroy all which is loved by the world. It means rather that while living amidst those who love the world and moving amidst customs loved by the world, we should live as ones alien to everyone and everything. As soon as you have rejected the world and everything worldly, you have by this very action overcome the world. But what teaches you to reject the world and what gives you strength for this? Our [Orthodox] Faith. It discloses the destructiveness of the delusions of the world and inspires the desire to free oneself of their nets. Then, when one resolves to break these bonds, when one repents and approaches the Mysteries of renewal—Baptism or Repentance—faith allows him to mystically feel the sweetness of a life opposed to the world, a sweetness with which all the pleasures of the world cannot in any way enter into comparison. As a result, a loathing for everything worldly dwells in the heart, which is actually victory over the world. But in this mystical action, as a result of which loathing for the world is born, the power to steadfastly abide in this loathing and alienation from the world is also granted; and this is a decisive and lasting victory.

Saint Isaac the Syrian on On the soul-destructive nature of making false and malicious statements (calumny) about others [Part 1 of 6]

"The day that you open your mouth and speak ill of someone, consider yourself a dead man and all of your works futile --- even though you might think that you spoke in sincerity of heart and for his edification. For it is not necessary for one to demolish his own house, in order to build someone else's."

--St. Isaac the Syrian

Thoughts for the Sunday of the Prodigal Son through the Wednesday Following

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The following are worth reading. I have just returned and for the past several days had no access to the Internet. Today's readings will be archived and can be read for about a week. We'll be back on Schedule on Thursday.

"When Jesus said to become like children, He did not mean in age or in stature, but in purity, peace, innocence and love. Children are without guile. We need to become like them in this way."

-- His Eminence, Archbishop JOSEPH

Thoughts of Theophan the Recluse:

SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
I Cor. 6:12-20; Luke 15:11-32.
The Sunday of the Prodigal Son says so much to us! It speaks about our peace and abundance in the house of the Heavenly Father, about our mad departure from the Father's guardianship to unbridled freedom, about the richness of the heritage given us despite our disobedience, about its reckless waste on all sorts of indecencies, and about our utter impoverishment as a result. But then it talks also about how one recovers his senses and, coming to himself, decides to return to his greatly merciful Father. It talks about how he returns, how he is received lovingly and is restored to his first state. Who will not find this lesson profitable? If you abide in your Father's house, do not strive for freedom. You see how a similar experience ended! If you have run away and are squandering all, stop this quickly. If you have already squandered everything and are living in poverty, resolve quickly to return—and then, return. There every lenience and the former love and prosperity await you. This last step is the most necessary one. But there is no point in enlarging upon this. All has been said concisely and clearly. Come to your senses, resolve to return, arise and hasten to the Father. His embrace is open and ready to receive you.

MONDAY
I John 2:18-3:10; Mark 11:1-11
Yesterday the parable about the Prodigal Son invited us to return from dissipation to the good path. Now the Holy Apostle John inspires us for this, giving us the assurance that if we do this, then when the Lord appears we will be like Him. What can compare with such a dignity? I should think that upon hearing this, you would be filled with a desire to attain this for yourself. It is a good and most necessary thing! Do not put off undertaking that through which it is attained. Read further: Every man that had this hope in Him, purifies himself even as He is pure (I John 3:3). Is there anything within you in need of purifying? Of course—no small amount will be found. Make haste: for where the Lord is, nothing that defiles shall enter in (cc. Rev. 21:27). Do not be taken aback by the difficulty of this matter. The Lord Himself will be your Helper in all things. Simply desire it wholeheartedly and turn to the Lord for His much-needed help. His grace-filled power will merge with your effort, and things will go easily and successfully. As there is no sin that can overcome the mercy of God, so there is no moral uncleanness that can resist the grace-filled power that consumes it. Only on your part, let there be a lack of desire for this uncleanness, an earnest effort to repulse it, and your recourse in faith to the Lord.

TUESDAY
I John 3:11–20; Mark 14:10-41
St. Peter fervently insisted that he would not reject the Lord; but when it came down to it, he denied Him, and three times, no less. Such is our weakness! Do not rely upon yourself, and when you enter into the midst of enemies, place all your hope of overcoming them in the Lord. For this purpose a fall was allowed to this great man—so that afterwards no one would dare on his own to do something good or to overcome some enemy, either internal or external. You must hope in the Lord, but not stop trying. Help from the Lord joins our efforts, and thus makes them powerful. If these efforts are not there, God's help has nowhere to descend, and it will not descend. But again, if you are filled with self-reliance, and consequently you have no need for help and seek no help—again, God's help will not descend. How is it to descend when it is considered unnecessary? Neither, in this case, is there anything with which to receive it. It is received by the heart. The heart opens up to receive it through a feeling of need. So both the former and the latter are needed. Say, "Help, 0 God!" But don't just lie around.

WEDNESDAY
I John 3:21-4:6; Mark 14:43-15:1
If help is needed, ask. "I asked," you say, "and it was not given." But then why is it given to others? With the Lord there is no respect of persons, that He would give to one, and not give to another, without any reason. He is ready to give to all—for He loves to give. If He does not give to someone, the reason is not in Him, but in the one asking help. Among such reasons can be some that we cannot even guess. But there exist known reasons, visible to everyone. St. John points out one of these reasons (and is it not the chief reason?) to be the absence of confidence, and the absence of confidence comes from condemnation by the heart or the conscience. Beloved, he says, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight (I John 3:2.1). There is nothing more to add to these words. Everything is clear in and of itself. What master will help an unfaithful servant, a squanderer and profligate? Will the Lord really indulge us when we do not want to please Him and fulfill His commandments, if we only start praying when an extreme need arises?