True Joy

True joy comes to those who live their lives in Christ

We all have certain things in our lives that we feel passionate about. When I was a young man, long distance running was my passion, and nothing gave me more joy than the run. Every day was organized around running. I’d even plan vacations around my runs, often heading to Vancouver, B.C., so I could run around Stanley Park. I’d stay in a cheap hotel near the park, figuring the room was needed for sleeping only, so why waste money on a nice hotel. Every morning and evening, I’d be out for a run around that magnificent park, spending the rest of the day touring around the city on foot. When teaching, I’d usually take a two hour lunch break, spent almost entirely running. I’d run to work and run home. Friends just had to learn that any time spent with me was likely to be scheduled around a run.

Many years ago I had hip replacement surgery, with my surgeon suggesting I’d likely worn down the hip during all those years of pounding my hip had taken. I sometimes have a flood of memories return when seeing someone running along the roads and trails of Vashon Island. A friend once asked me if I felt any bitterness over the fact that I can no longer run and that age has slowed me down. My answer was that the memories were still with me, the joy of running having been replaced by the joy of my life in Christ. The only regret I have is that it took me so long to discover the depth of joy that could be found in Christ, and how fleeting worldly joy can be.

If I could I would still run. But like all of life, some things are meant to be of a temporal nature, confined to this world. The things of God’s Kingdom, are meant to be eternal and can be, and indeed should be, central to this life we are living in the now! Our culture would have us believe that joy is something that just comes upon us, and although there may be some truth to this, true joy is a fruit of the Spirit. True and lasting joy comes only with a spiritual discipline in which we reject the fleeting happiness that comes in this world, and embrace the true and lasting joy that comes to those who live their lives in Christ, Who is the One Who IS our joy.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Photos: While in the Bay Area for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Saint John the Wonderworker, and with the blessing of Archbishop Kyrill, I spoke to parishioners at Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, and (pictured) members of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church (OCA), in Saratoga, CA, where my long time friend, Archpriest Basil Rhodes, is priest. Also pictured is my friend Protodeacon Brendan Doss, who serves at Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco.

Saturday July 9, 2016 / June 26, 2016
3rd Week after Pentecost. Tone one.
Apostles’ (Peter & Paul) Fast. Fish Allowed

Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (1383).
Venerable David of Thessalonica (540).
New Hieromartyr Gregory priest (1918).
St. Dionysius, archbishop of Suzdal (1385).
Translation of the relics (1569) of Venerable Tikhon of Lukhov (1503).
Venerable John, bishop of the Goths in Crimea (ca. 787).
Kazan “Of the Seven Lakes”, “Nemetsk” (1399) and “Lidda” or Roman Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The Holy Martyred Brothers John and Paul, and Gallicanus
Venerable Serapion of Kozha Lake.
Translation of the relics of St. Brannock (Brynach) of Braunton, England (Celtic & British).
New Martyr David of St. Anne’s Skete, martyred in Thessalonica (1813).
Anthion, monk.(Greek).

Scripture Readings

Romans 3:28-4:3

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is Henot also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Matthew 7:24-8:4

Build on the Rock

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

8 When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”