Sunday

Scripture:  The Prodigal Son

NOTES FROM ST THEOPHYLACT…
Now our Saviour defines a neighbour not in respect of actions or honour, but of nature; as if He says, Think not that because thou art righteous thou hast no neighbour, for all who partake of the same nature are thy neighbours. Be thou also their neighbour, not in place, but in affection and solicitude for them. And in addition to this, he brings forward the Samaritan as an example.
AND VENERABLE BEDE…
But sins are called wounds, because the perfectness of human nature is violated by them. And they departed, not by ceasing to lie in wait, but by hiding the craft of their devices.
Monday
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the Prophets;
Matthew 28:19 – Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

John 15:26 – But whenever the Holy Spirit should come, Whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, that One shall bear witness concerning Me.

Acts 2:32 – Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.

Who spoke through the Prophets;

John 6:45 – It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and has learned of the Father, comes to Me.

Luke 24:44 – And He said to them. These are the words which I spoke to you while I was with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me.

Mark 12:36 – For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit Thou on My right, until I should place Your enemies as a footstool of Thy feet.”

Tuesday

And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, Who is above all, through all, and in you all.  (Note:  The word “Catholic” simply means “Universal” – referring to the “One Universal Christian Church”.

I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.

Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Colossians 2:12 – Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also you are raised up with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who has raised Him from the dead.

Wednesday

I look for the the resurrection of the dead.

John 11:25 – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he is dead, yet shall he live.

Romans 6:5 – For if we have been buried together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.

And life of the ages to come.

Colossians 1:26 – Even the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints; to whom God would make know what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Thursday

DIVINE PROVIDENCE…
“You were brought to the hanging gallows and all three times you were returned for no apparent reason. What can one man due to another if the all seeing one does not allow it? Nothing. Likewise, malicious executioners could not hang you even though they tried three times while nothing in this world opposed their authority. But he who has the rule over the world and people opposed their authority. So, do not forget what the Almighty has done for you.” St. Nikolai Velimirovich ~Missionary Letters Vol. 3

“But it won’t! If God wants it to fall, it will fall and God will protect us.” Elder Ephraim of Katounakia (replying to a priest worried about a large boulder hanging over his cell at St. Anne’s Skete) ~My Elder Joseph the Hesychast

Friday

ANGER…
“If I wanted to relate everything I went through on a daily basis with this passion of anger, I would have to write a book. Since God wanted to free me from it, He would bring about everything appropriate: people would bother me unjustly, they would insult me, they would annoy me. And they would not just simply tempt me, but they would do things that would make you commit murder. But by enduring and choking Satan within me with extreme patience, I was delivered from the evil.” “Elder Joseph the Hesychast

“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty ; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32

Saturday

OTHER RELIGIONS & EVANGELISM…
“Christ came to enlighten mankind. There are various religions outside His revelation where the followers are sincere and  not just practicing demon worship – and where the soul is really trying to get through to God. I would say that before the people have heard of Christ, these religions are fine as far as they go, but they will not get you to the goal. The goal is eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven, and God came in the flesh to open this up to us.” Fr. Seraphim Rose ~God’s Revelation to the Human Heart

‘Fr. Paisios also demonstrated his concern for the spiritual enlightenment of the Muslims living in Konitisa . He showed them his care and love, helping them with their needs and gathering them together in one of their homes each Friday to discuss various matters of interest. He hoped that if he approached them in an appropriate way and with love, they would become Christians. And, in fact, some of them eventually asked to be baptized.’ Elder Paisios ~Elder Paisios of St. Athos