All About Us
The only way we are going to grow in God is to give up on self-will. At the beginning of each day, put aside thoughts about what we are going to eat, drink, or wear, or worries about the future (Mat. 6:25-34). Do not dwell on regrets (Isa. 43:18-19). Rather, we must direct our thoughts to God in prayer, and think about how to love God and our neighbor in the moment.
Whether we are pursuing married or monastic life, we are not saved alone or for ourselves alone. In our deepest and truest self, we all want God to heal and save us. This is not done on “my” terms, but God’s. It’s not about me; it’s about us.
We fall into many sins when we try to struggle alone. Trying to struggle separately from God and our neighbor is already a sin. We cannot be saved if we pursue a strategy of endless retreats from temptations. Temptations will come, be if from demons, the world, or our fallen flesh. We cannot avoid them entirely, but God always provides a way of escape when we are tempted (1 Cor. 10:13). That way of escape cannot be found when we look to ourselves. We must focus our love on God and our neighbor, and only then can we be saved together.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Quote of the Day
“Our life and our death is with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ.”
-St. Anthony The Great
Friday, August 03, 2024 (7532) / Friday, August 16, 2024
Friday of the 8th week after Pentecost; Tone VI
Fast
Venerable Isaac, Dalmatius and Faustus, Ascetics of the Dalmatian Monastery in Constantinople (4th-5th C)
Venerable Anthony the Roman, Abbot and Wonderworker of Novgorod († 1147)
Venerable Cosmas, the Eunuch and Hermit of Palestine (6th C)
Holy Myrrh-bearing Woman Salome
Venerable John the Confessor, Abbot of Patalareia
Martyr Razhden the Persian of Georgia († 457)
Daily Scripture Readings
(Friday of the 8th week after Pentecost)
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
(Venerable Anthony)
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Chapter 6
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Chapter 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.