Enduring trials can make us grow stronger
Sometimes we find ourselves so caught up in what we think we need, we become despondent as we face disappointment. We get so caught up in our desire for things to go just as we want, we end up wondering why God hasn’t answered our prayers. These are times when we need to give it over to God, let things be, and keep struggling in a quiet, prayerful way. Enduring trials makes us stronger, and we become more faithful stewards with the talents God has given us. Those things that have lasting value, and are salvific, require patience and forbearance.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Tuesday August 4, 2015 / July 22, 2015
10th Week after Pentecost. Tone eight.
Holy Myrrh-bearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalen (1st c.).
Translation of the relics (404) of Hieromartyr Phocas, bishop of Sinope (117).
New Hieromartyr Michael priest (1918).
New Hieromartyr Alexis priest (1931).
Venerable Cornelius, monk, of Pereyaslavl, and confessor of Alexandrov Convent (1693).
Venerable Marcella of Chios (1500).
St. Cyril I, patriarch of Antioch (298).
St. Wandregisilus of Caux (668) (Gaul).
St. Cyprian, fool-for-Christ of Suzdal (1622).
The Daily Scripture Readings
1 Corinthians 15:29-38
Effects of Denying the Resurrection
29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
A Glorious Body
35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
Matthew 21:23-27
Jesus’ Authority Questioned
23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”
24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.”
And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
I do not know how you do it Father but your daily postings on the most part touch my life completely. The you.
I struggle with those virtues daily. Yet some how with all that comes with poverty and being alone I know that The Lord Our God is my rock and refuge. He will never leave my side.
We are told many times in the Word to enter into His presence with praise and thanksgiving in all things. This is to be the manner of our entry into our prayerful relationship with Him. This is such a blessing. As I have aged and slowly learned to follow this prescription I have found it much easier to let go of my demands, trusting Him and being blessed thereby with joy, not disappointment.