This Sunday we hear the Gospel from the Evangelist Luke 6:31-36 which extolls the simplest principle of moral conduct, the Golden Rule as taught by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is a case of simple justice – to return like for like in positive terms.
This Sunday marks the first gospel reading from the Evangelist Luke, in which Jesus calls forth his first disciples, which is an act that is always contemporary. The same Jesus of the New Testament continues to call disciples to his holy Church to this day.
The Gospel lesson for this the 15th Sunday Of Matthew (Matthew 22:35-46) calls our attention to the most important teaching of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which is love.
Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross: This feast is the most important of the Fall season, celebrating God’s redeeming love and its renewable consequences for us. We seek redemption, the love of God in Christ shown forth in His Holy Cross. This great feast of the exaltation celebrates our redemption and renewed life through the blood of God, granting us eternal righteousness and salvation!
Friday, September 11, 2020, marks the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorists attacks on New York City, Shanksville, PA, and Arlington, VA.
Today we hear in our churches the Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard. The image of the vineyard is one of the most endeared backdrop in the lands of the Gospels and surrounding areas. According to the Old Testament prophets, Israel is referred to as the vineyard of God. In the New Testament, the Church is often referred to as the Lord’s vineyard. You see there is great joy and fulfillment in working in and belonging to the vineyard, for the Lord Himself is the owner and provider of all things. There is great satisfaction in watching its rich fruit growing, maturing and then being shared with others for the glory of God’s Holy Church.
This Sunday August 30, 2020 is unique in that it commemorates the 12th Sunday of St. Matthew Chapter 19:16-24, which is the story of the Rich Man and Eternal life. In this story, the rich young man asks his momentous question, “What must I do to receive eternal life?” To which Jesus answers you must keep the commandments if you wish to receive eternal life. Then Jesus proceeds to recite the commandments, but adds to be perfect you must sell your possessions and give to the poor, then you will have treasures in heaven, then come follow me!
In today’s gospel reading for the eleventh Sunday following Pentecost Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus speaks of the importance of forgiving others by telling the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. The Parable provides a very interesting contrast between the teachings of the Old and New Testaments concerning forgiveness.
Beginning August 1 thru August 14, we in the Orthodox Church observe the great penitentiary fast before the Great Feast of the Falling Asleep of the Most Holy Theotokos, (Dormition),the Mother of God. This great feast honors the Virgin Mary, The Prototype of Womanhood, through whom the mystery of the incarnation took place.
Today is the ninth Sunday after Pentecost in which is read the Gospel if St. Matthew Chapter 14 verses 22-33 concerning Jesus walking on water. The miracle of the walking on the water shows Jesus’s divine powers as Lord over creation. As the lesson tells us he came to rescue his disciples from the raging winds and waves which in the Holy Scripture symbolize chaos, sin and death.
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