Within the fold but without love
That our Orthodox Church possesses the Truth is a given, yet in our weakness as believers, the obviousness of that Truth is often invisible to others. In our weakness as a people, clergy as well as laity, we fail to demonstrate a love and joy that would make our faith attractive to others.
When people visit an Orthodox temple for the first time, if all they see is beautiful ritual, and a mystical interior, but do not receive an inviting welcome from the participants, they can walk away thinking this Faith has no impact on the soul. Beautiful worship and sublime theology mean nothing if we don’t live it out in love for others.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Sunday July 12, 2015 / June 29, 2015
6th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone five.
Hieromartirs Neophytus, Jonah, Neophytus, Jonah, and Parthenius of Lampsacus (movable holiday on the 1st Sunday after June 27th).
The Holy, Glorious and All-praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul (67).
The end of the Apostles Peter and Paul Fast
St. Gregory, metropolitan of Iraklia and Redestos (Const.)..
“Kasperovsk” (1853-1855) Icon of the Mother of God.
Venerable Peter, prince of the Tatar Horde, wonderworker of Rostov (1290).
Uncovering of the relics of Venerable Nicander, monk, of Pskov (1581).
St. Mary, mother of John-Mark, nephew of Apostle Barnabas, at Jersusalem (1st c.).
The 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.
Dear Abbot Tryphon,
YOU are an angel. God spoke through you to me and helped bring me to Orthodoxy 3 years ago. The love, humility and kindness you continue to share in all situations is powerful, encouraging and comforting. I thank God for you
My introduction to the Orthodox Temple fortunately was as you described it should be by clergy and laity on occasions other than the Worship Service. I am still looking forward to the opportunity to experience Orthodox Worship, hopefully sooner than later.