Oblate Daily Sunday, January 25, 2014 / January 12, 2014 [East] Afterfeast of Theophany. Sunday after Theophany. 33rd Sunday after Pentecost Martyrs Tatiana of Rome and those who suffered with her St. Theodora of Alexandria, teacher of nuns St. Savva (Sabbas) I, first archbishop of Serbia Martyr Mertius of Mauretania Martyr Peter Apselamus of Palestine St. Eupraxia of Tabenna in Egypt Virgin-Martyr Euthasia St. Martinian of White Lake (Byelozersk), abbot, Blessed Galaction, disciple of St. Martinian Holy Eight Martyrs of Nicaea St. Silouan St. Macarius St. Benedict Biscop, abbot of Wearmouth Icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, The Milk-giver, Of the Akathist, and Popskaya St. Elias the wonderworker, of The Paradise of the Fathers Blessed Archimandrite Theodosius of Tisman and Sophroniev Monasteries, fellow struggler of St. Paisius Velichkovsky (+1802) [West] Sunday in Epiphany Octave Martyrs Satyrus, Cyriacus, and Mosentius, in Achaia Martyr Arcadius, in Caesarea Mauretania Saints Pastor and Victor, at Nicomedia St. Benedict Biscop, abbot of Wearmouth, whose relics rest at Thorn Abbey Martyrs Tigris, priest; and Eutropius St. John the Confessor, bishop, at Ravenna Virgin Caesaria, at Arles Holy 38 martyrs, monks upon the isle of Iona St. Victorinus of Asan, abbot, in Spain Martyrs Tatiana, Euthasia, and Mertios, at Rome Martyrs Zoticus, Rogatus, Modestus, Castulus, some 50 soldiers, and others, in Africa St. Alan ab Erbin, king of Cornwall St. Probus of Verona, bishop Holy 42 martyrs, at Ephesus [SB: Holy Rule] Chapter 2 - What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be (cont.) Let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he findeth more exemplary in good works and obedience. Let not a free-born be preferred to a freedman, unless there be some other reasonable cause. But if from a just reason the Abbot deemeth it proper to make such a distinction, he may do so in regard to the rank of anyone whomsoever; otherwise let everyone keep his own place; for whether bond or free, we are all one in Christ (cf Gal 3:28; Eph 6:8), and we all bear an equal burden of servitude under one Lord, for there is no respect of persons with God (Rom 2:11). We are distinguished with Him in this respect alone, if we are found to excel others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let him have equal charity for all, and impose a uniform discipline for all according to merit. [Lectio Divina] Matthew 4:17 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” [Daily thoughts from St. Theophan the Recluse] Readings: Eph. 4:7-13; Matt. 4:12-17 Yesterday the Apostle armed with the whole spiritual armor the Christian who sets out upon the path of salvation. Now, for our inspiration in times of hardship, he shows who the leaders are in this battle procession, and what is the final bright goal of everything. The leaders are pastors and teachers, whom the Lord has given to the Church, and through whose mouths He Himself utters the guiding direction needful for all, as soon as one turns to such leaders with faith and prayerful appeal to the Lord. Those who selflessly walk the Lords path know this truth, as do those who conduct a struggle against the enemies of salvation without pity for themselves. In their pastors they always find help and are brought to understanding, while, looking from the outside, such help could not be expected. For they are not coming to men, but to the Lord, Who is always ready to direct and give understanding through such men, to anyone who sincerely and with faith seeks help from Him. The final bright goal is the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ—the stature of a perfect man (Eph. 4:13). We all know what a perfect man is in the usual order of things, and we could hardly find a person who would not wish to attain such perfection. But the meaning of a perfect man in the Lord is something not known to anyone other than those who have entered into that stature. This, however, should not cool ones fervor for the attainment of such a stature, but on the contrary should kindle it even more; for this lack of knowledge is due to the height of that spiritual perfection which is called a manly stature in a life according to God. The Apostle defined this as taking on the fullness of perfections revealed in the Lord and Savior. Anyone can see that there is reason for us to apply all diligence (II Peter 1:5) toward our calling.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 04:59:00 +0000
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