When we are the Offender
We all have opportunities to bear the offenses and insults of others, occasions allowed by God to help us acquire the humility that everyone who who would follow Christ must gain. Yet sometimes WE are the ones who offend others, insulting family members, coworkers, or sometimes even strangers. The very moment we succumb to our ego, we reduce ourselves to the image of the fall. We fling aside Christ-like humility, falling into the sin that gave way to the fall. Like the First Born, we sacrifice Paradise for a little moment when we can feel important, or better than another.
What are we to do in moments like this, when we find ourselves failing to live even a small portion of the Christian life? What are we to do with ourselves when we’ve allowed virtue to sink in the mire of our own self-interest? We fall down as one unworthy even to kiss the sandal of our neighbor, and we ask the one whom we have offended to forgive us. Then, we start anew. Each time we fall, we start anew, always keeping our eyes on Christ. Each time we fall we reach out to the Lord, Who is quick to forgive, and Who lifts us out of the darkness that would be our ruin.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Next Saturday: The Planting of a Monastery (chapter 14) The Assault
We’re transplanting our orchard trees from the overcrowded garden.
click on photos to enlarge
Wednesday November 7, 2012
23rd Week after Pentecost. Tone five.
Fast. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits)
Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the Notaries of Constantinople (355).
St. Matrona the Confessor of Diveyevo (1963).
Venerable Martyrius the Deacon (13th c.) and Venerable Martyrius the Recluse of the Kiev Caves.
Martyr Anastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia (3rd c.).
St. Tabitha, the widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter (1st c.).
St. Front, bishop of Perigueux (2nd c.) (Celtic & British).
St. George of Amastris, bishop and writer of canons (Greek).
Two Martyrs of Thrace (Greek).
St. Macarius, bishop of Paphos in Cyprus (Greek).
Sts. Philadephus and Polycarp (Greek).
Sts. Crispinus and Crispinianus, Romans, martyrd under Diocletian at Soissons (286).
Martyr Miniatus of Florence (251).
You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.
For those who would like to be kept informed about the persecution that is taking place against Christians throughout the Middle East, I recommend you subscribe to: http://www.jihadwatch.org/
THANK YOU, to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Paul’s Conduct
2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.
Luke 11:9-13
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
9“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”