The Light of Christ Does Not Cast a Shadow
A shadow is an area where direct light from a source, such as the Sun, cannot reach due to obstruction by an object. It occupies all of the space behind an object with light in front of it. “Substance” on the other hand is that which is solid and practical in character, quality, or importance.
Icons used in worship by the Orthodox Church have no shadows cast from the images. The light comes not from the Sun, but from Our Lord, Who is the Son of Righteousness. The light comes from within and represents the Light of Christ Who dwells in His saints and whose sanctity and love do not obscure this Light.
As Christians we must live in such a way that the Light of Christ shines through us, and does not cast a shadow. If we live our lives in humility and repentance, the Lord’s love and light are not obscured but shine forth with substance the Christ that is in us. This very Christ Jesus is therefore seen by others and spreads the love of God throughout the whole of the cosmos.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Monday June 14, 2021 / June 1, 2021
Afterfeast of the Ascension. Tone six.
Martyr Justin the Philosopher, and those with him at Rome: Martyrs Justin, Chariton and his wife Charita, Euelpistus, Hierax, Peon, Valerian and Justus (166).
Venerable Dionysius, abbot of Glushitsa (Vologda) (1437).
New Hieromartyr Basil priest, Virgin-martyr Vera (1940).
Glorification (1990) of Righteous John of Kronstadt (1908).
Venerable Justin (Popovich) of Chelije in Serbia (1979) (Serbia).
Venerable Agapitus, unmercenary physician of the Kiev Caves (1095).
St. Mertius the Farmer of Myra in Lycia (912).
Martyr Neon (Greek).
Hieromartyr Pyrrhus the Virgin (Greek).
Martyr Firmus of Magus (3rd c.) (Greek).
Martyr Thespesius of Cappadocia (230) (Greek).
Holy Martyrs Shio the New, David, Gabriel and Paul of Gareji (1696) (Georgia).
The Scripture Readings
Acts 21:8-14
8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
John 14:27-15:7
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
The True Vine
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
Fr Abbot, we will not be allowed our small farms and animals much longer. I would highly suggest you watch/listen to Christian Westbrook on Lynette Zang on you tube. It is completely out of the media and goes with a lot of of this hot air about global warming. We are in a grand solar minimum very similar to the early middle ages. We are headed into another mini ice age. Only the western leaders are using that to take the representative Republic away and with that the other rights under our constitution. I see the very grave concern, no, worry, on Mr. Putin’s face. We need prayers to God and the Holy Theotokos for our future. Please, please pray for us in this nation.