The Temptation Of Living Only For Today
The almost universal temptation of our time is to be living only for the present moment. We want to enjoy ourselves now, relax and be comfortable now, have it all now. Our focus is, consequently, on a tiny slice of eternity. By focusing on such a narrow moment in time, we forget the importance of preparing for eternity.
Medical science has proven that teenagers often act without forethought for the consequences of reckless behavior, because their brains have not yet fully developed. They are not simply being defiant of the rules of driving, or taking chances with dangerous behavior, but have an inability to process the consequences of their actions. In other words, they don’t recognize the possible finality of their behavior, and for many of them, even death does not seem final.
When we focus only on the here and now, we are in reality acting like these teenagers. Our inner sense of the importance of preparing for eternity is shut down, and we don’t even think of the spiritual consequences of our short term focus. We treat eternity as though it were a myth, and place all our energies on getting what we think we need in the now.
By placing all our time and energy on the acquisition of things, and on being comfortable and fulfilled in this life, we forget the importance of spiritual preparation for what will be eternity. This life was not gifted to us by God, for pleasure and the acquisition of things, but as a time for us to draw ourselves closer to the Creator God Who loves us, and desires that we commune with Him for all eternity. Like the high school students who are preparing for their life by studying in school, this life is, for us, a time of preparation.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Tuesday November 7, 2023 / October 25, 2023
23rd Week after Pentecost. Tone five.
Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries of Constantinople (355).
St. Matrona the Confessor of Diveyevo (1963).
Venerable Martyrius the Deacon (13th c.) and Venerable Martyrius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves.
Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia (3rd c.).
St. Tabitha, the widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter (1st c.).
St. Front, bishop of Perigueux (2nd c.) (Celtic & British).
St. George of Amastris, bishop and writer of canons (Greek).
Two Martyrs of Thrace (Greek).
St. Macarius, bishop of Paphos in Cyprus (Greek).
Sts. Philadephus and Polycarp (Greek).
Sts. Crispinus and Crispinianus, Romans, martyrs under Diocletian at Soissons (286).
Martyr Miniatus of Florence (251).
The Scripture Readings
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Luke 11:1-10
The Model Prayer
11 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”
A Friend Comes at Midnight
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.