Tempting Trials
If we are to avoid the pit of “self-love” that leads to depression, it is imperative that we focused on loving God and neighbor. This state of despondency is often referred to as the demon of noonday, and must not be allowed to distract us from the love that flows forth from God.
Challenges confront our soul every day. Those moments when a family member or coworker makes a remark that are meant to anger you, are those times you need to guard your heart. When those around you are gossiping about someone, that is an opportunity for you to keep silent. The driver who’s just cut you off on the freeway; the woman who pushes her way in front of you in the check out line; the rude neighbor; all are moments in time when you can take control and grow stronger spiritually.
Trials and temptations, when confronted with a peaceful heart, bring forth healing and make the soul that much stronger and healthier. Reacting does nothing but bring forth paralysis of the soul, binding us to our fallen nature. Receiving all these temptations with a peaceful heart and not reacting to outside negative stimuli, helps strengthen you for the next round of trial and temptation. Little by little, you will find that the Peace of Christ fills your every waking moment, bringing on a joyful spirit and a peaceful heart.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: My monastic cell.
Thursday September 26, 2024 / September 13, 2024
14th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.
Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Commemoration of the Founding of the Church of the Resurrection (The Holy Sepulchre) at Jerusalem (335).
Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion (1st c.).
New Hieromartyrs Stephan, Alexander priests and Nicholas deacon (1937).
Martyrs Cronides, Leontius, and Serapion of Alexandria (237).
Martyr Seleucus in Scythia (320).
Martyr Straton of Nicomedia (3rd c.).
Martyrs Macrobius and Gordian at Tomi in Romania (320).
Hieromartyr Julian of Galatia (4th c.).
Martyrs Elias, Zoticus, Lucian, Valerian, Macrobius, and Gordian at Tomi in Romania (320).
Venerable Peter at Atroe (9th C).
Great-martyr Ketevan, queen of Kakhetia (1624) (Georgia).
Venerable Cornelius of Padan-Olonets (16th c.), disciple of Venerable Alexander of Svir, and with him Venerables Dionysius and Misail
Venerable Litorius, bishop of Tours (370).
Venerable John of Prislop (15th-16th c.) (Romania).
Venerable Basil monk of Iveron Monastery (Greek).
St. Hierotheus of Kalamata, monk of Iveron Monastery, Mt. Athos (1745) (Greek).
The Scripture Readings
Friday Reading
Galatians 2:6-10
|
6 |
But from those who seemed to be something-whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man-for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. |
|
7 |
But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter |
|
8 |
(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), |
|
9 |
and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. |
|
10 |
They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. |
|
22 |
And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet |
|
23 |
and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” |
|
24 |
So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. |
|
35 |
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” |
|
36 |
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” |
|
37 |
And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. |
|
38 |
Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. |
|
39 |
When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” |
|
40 |
And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. |
|
41 |
Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” |
|
42 |
Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. |
|
43 |
But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. |
|
1 |
Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. |
Hebrews 3:1-4 Epistle, Church
|
1 |
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, |
|
2 |
who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. |
|
3 |
For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. |
|
4 |
For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. |
Matthew 16:13-18 Gospel, Church
|
13 |
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” |
|
14 |
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” |
|
15 |
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” |
|
16 |
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” |
|
17 |
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. |
|
18 |
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. |
1 Corinthians 2:6-9 Epistle, Saturday Before
|
6 |
However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. |
|
7 |
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, |
|
8 |
which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. |
|
9 |
But as it is written: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him,” |
Matthew 10:37-11:1 Gospel, Saturday Before
|
37 |
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. |
|
38 |
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. |
|
39 |
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. |
|
40 |
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. |
|
41 |
He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. |
|
42 |
And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. |
|
1 |
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. |