We must live our lives as though they are
With the polarization of the American political scene, the increase of deadly terrorist attacks around the world, and the mass shootings we read about on an almost daily basis, increasing numbers of Christians have been talking about the possibility we may be entering the End Times. The horrid recent events around the world have created a sense of doom among many believers, what with the rise of Islam, extreme climate change, and breakdown of societal norms, many wonder if this may be the time of the ushering in of the Anti-Christ.
Given all of the above, it is important that we remember Christians in the first century were prepared for the end of times, and what they perceived as the imminent second coming of Christ. Christians have always been prepared, as we should, for we are struggling against the principalities of darkness, just as God’s people have been since the foundation of the Church.
This life is full of spiritual warfare, and since the hour for the return of Christ is not to be revealed, for only the Father knows the time and the hour as Christ Himself told us, we must be prepared that it could be tomorrow. And even the End Times are not imminent, we must be prepared for our own end, for not one of us knows the day and the hour when we will be called to account.
At seventy years of age, I am more aware of my own ultimate end than ever before. I’ve had increasing numbers of friends depart this life, some after illnesses, some without warning. None of us should expect time to repent, for most of us will meet our end without warning.
Whether these are the End Times or not, we must live our lives in preparation for that final moment of accountability. Meanwhile, we can take comfort in the knowledge that in the end, Christ will triumph over evil. That is a fact. For now, we must fight the battle, so that we, too, will triumph over evil.
Behold, the bridegroom comes in the middle of the night and blessed is the servant whom he shall find watching, and unworthy the servant whom he shall find heedless. Take care then, O my soul, and be not weighed down by sleep that you will not be given over unto death and be excluded from the Kingdom. But rise up and call out: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou O God, by the Theotokos have mercy on us (The Bridegroom Matins).
Come, Lord Jesus Christ.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: Sketch by Matushka Ann Margitich of Santa Rosa, CA.
Sunday July 31, 2016 / July 18, 2016
6th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone five.
Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Councils (movable holiday on Sunday closest to July 16).
Martyr Emilian of Silistra in Bulgaria (363).
Martyr Hyacinth of Amastris (4th c.).
New Hieromartyrs Appolinarius (1918).
Venerable John the Long-suffering of the Kiev Caves (1160).
Venerable Pambo, recluse of the Kiev Caves (1241).
Venerable Pambo, hermit of Egypt (386).
Venerable Leontius, abbot of Karikhov (Novgorod) (1492).
“Kaluga” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1892).
St. Frederich, bishop of Utrecht (9th c.) (Neth.).
Martyr Marcel (Greek).
Martyrs Dasius and Maron (Greek).
Sts. Stephen, archbishop of Constantinople (928), and John the Confessor, metropolitan of Chalcedon (9th c.) (Greek).
Great-martyr Athanasius of Klysma, Egypt (4th c.).
Hieromartyr Kozman (1630) (Georgia).
Scripture Readings
Romans 12:6-14
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Behave Like a Christian
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic
9 So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. 2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.