For the Christian, ownership must not become possessiveness
If we view everything, be it a house, a car, a good income, a wonderful friendship, or a good education, as ours, we give in to the sin of possessiveness. If we are blessed with the joy and happiness that comes with good friendships, we must be willing to draw others into that bonded relationship. Our good fortune must be shared with those around us. If we have been blessed with a good income, it must be shared with those who are less fortunate. If we are blessed with wonderful children and a loving relationship with our spouse, we must share our good fortune by living our joy in a way that empowers those around us, and draws them into our experience of true happiness.
In the spirit of generosity of heart, we must become agents of a palatable joy that lifts up those who are fearful, sad, or despondent. Saint Symeon the New Theologian said, “Cheerfulness consists in not regarding such things as we possess as our own, but as entrusted to us by God for the benefit of our fellow servants. It consists in scattering them abroad generously with joy and magnanimity, not reluctantly under compulsion.” The things that bring us joy belong to the God who created us, and, in a real sense, are on loan. Acting as though these gifts are our possession, betrays the gift.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photos: I just arrived in Cannon Beach, Oregon, for the annual meeting of the International Conference of Police Chaplains.
Photos: I just arrived in Cannon Beach, Oregon, for the annual meeting of the International Council of Police Chaplains.
Tuesday February 9, 2016 / January 27, 2016
37th Week after Pentecost. Tone three.
Translation of the relics (437) of St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople.
Venerable Peter of Egypt (5th c.).
New Martyr Demetrius at Constantinople (1784) (Greek).
Venerable Titus the Soldier, monk of the Kiev Caves.
New Hieromartyr Peter (Zverev) of Voronezh (1929).
St. Demetrius Klepinine, priest of Paris (1944).
Venerable Leonty (Stasevich) of Ivanovo (1972).
New Hieromartyr and Mystic Leontius of Tarnopol and Jablechna (Poland) (1972).
Scripture Readings
James 3:1-10
The Untamable Tongue
3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Mark 11:11-23
11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
The Fig Tree Withered
12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”
And His disciples heard it.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”[b]
18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.
The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree
20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.