True Joy

Living According to the Will of God
How do we know we are living according to the will of God? We make sure we live a life that is focused on Christ and not let that which is transitory rule, for a life centered in Christ brings about true peace, wisdom, and knowledge, and we are given the grace to trust in God’s Divine Providence for everything.

If we focus only on the things that haven’t been done and ignore the little things that bring joy to our lives, we will find ourselves in a rut, constantly thinking of where we’d rather be living, or the job we’d rather have, or the work that still needs to be completed. We’ll wake up one day and realize all we’ve needed for happiness has been right in front of us all the time. 

How do we know we’re living according to the will of God? The Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica tells us, “He who lives according to God’s will has no worries. When he needs something, he simply prays for it. If he does not receive that which he asked for, he is joyful as though he had received it. A soul that has given itself over to God has no fear of anything, not even robbers, sickness, or death. Whatever happens, such a soul always cries, ‘It was the will of God’.”

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon 

Thursday July 18, 2013

4^th Week after Pentecost. Tone two.

Venerable Athanasius of Mt. Athos (1003) and his six disciples.
Uncovering of the relics (1422) of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh (1392).
Martyrdom of St. Elizabeth Romanov and Nun Barbara (1918).
Venerable Agapitus, confessor (1936).
Martyr Anna at Rome (304).
Martyr Cyrilla of Cyrene in Libya, a widow.
Venerable Lampadus, monk, of Hirenopolis (10th c.).
Icon of the Mother of God “Economissa”.
New Martyr Cyprian of Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mt. Athos (1679) (Greek).
New Martyrs Grand Dukes Sergius Mikhailovitch, Princes John Constantinovich, Constantine, Igor Constantinovich and Vladimir.
St. Morwenna, patroness of Morwenstow (England) (6th c.) (Celtic & British).
Synaxis of 23 Saints of Lesbos (Greek).
Hieromartyr Stephen, bishop of Rhegium, disciple of the Apostle Paul, and with him Bishop Suerus and the women Agnes, Felicitas, and Perpetua (1st c.).
Martyr Athanasius, deacon of Jerusalem (451).

You can read the life of the saint in red, by clicking on the name. THANKS to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

The Scripture Readings for the Day

Romans 11:13-24

¹³For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, ¹⁴if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. ¹⁵For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
¹⁶For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. ¹⁷And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, ¹⁸do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
¹⁹You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. ²¹For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. ²²Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. ²³And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. ²⁴For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Matthew 11:27-30

²⁷All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. ²⁸Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”