{"id":3817,"date":"2017-10-21T20:16:33","date_gmt":"2017-10-22T00:16:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/?p=3817"},"modified":"2017-10-19T20:53:18","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T00:53:18","slug":"daily-devotional-for-october-22-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/?p=3817","title":{"rendered":"Daily Devotional for October 22-28"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday<\/p>\n

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus:
\n19\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThere was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.<\/span> <\/span> 20\u00a0<\/sup>But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate,<\/span> <\/span> 21\u00a0<\/sup>desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell<\/span>[d<\/a>]<\/sup> from the rich man\u2019s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.<\/span> <\/span> 22\u00a0<\/sup>So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham\u2019s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.<\/span> <\/span> 23\u00a0<\/sup>And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

24\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThen he cried and said, \u2018Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.\u2019<\/span> <\/span> 25\u00a0<\/sup>But Abraham said, \u2018Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.<\/span> <\/span> 26\u00a0<\/sup>And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

27\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cThen he said, \u2018I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father\u2019s house,<\/span> <\/span> 28\u00a0<\/sup>for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.\u2019<\/span> <\/span> 29\u00a0<\/sup>Abraham said to him, \u2018They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.\u2019<\/span> <\/span> 30\u00a0<\/sup>And he said, \u2018No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.\u2019<\/span> <\/span> 31\u00a0<\/sup>But he said to him, \u2018If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

OSB Commentary<\/p>\n

\n
Abraham\u2019s bosom means heaven. Abraham is mentioned among all the righteous because, in stark contrast to the rich man, Abraham showed hospitality to strangers (Gn 18: 1\u2013 8). The rich man \u00a0. \u00a0. \u00a0. \u00a0 was buried: The Fathers see this as illustrating the state of his merciless soul, buried by the pleasures of the flesh. He was already buried in life by \u201ccouches, rugs, furnishings, sweet oils, perfumes, large quantities of wine, varieties of food, and flatterers\u201d <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
That the rich man remains unnamed indicates that he is ultimately forgotten. The rich man\u2019s appeal to Abraham as a spiritual father is not rejected. Rather, Abraham accepts this role, calling the rich man son and showing himself to be compassionate even towards the most wretched of men. The great gulf is not a geographical divide, but the complete separation between virtue and wickedness, a separation that cannot be overcome after death. Note that torments have not changed the rich man\u2019s heart, as he still sees Lazarus as a servant existing for the sake of his own comfort. Finally, this account by Christ reveals the communion of the saints: a man, not even a believer, calls out from Hades and converses with Saint Abraham! <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Some Fathers see this parable being set after the final judgment, citing the punishment and reward being received by the two men respectively. Others see this parable set at a time after death but before the second coming of Christ, as evidenced by the man interceding on behalf of his brothers who are still living. The torment he is experiencing would be but a foretaste of his final state. From this perspective, we learn that souls of the departed have awareness of and concern for the state of those still alive on earth, but also that the intercessions of a wicked man are heard, but avail nothing (contrast Jam 5: 16). 16: 31 \u201cThe ignorance of Scripture is a great cliff and a deep abyss. It is impossible for anyone to be without benefit if he reads continually and with attention\u201d (JohnChr). Furthermore, the rebellious were not persuaded even when people did rise from the dead.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Monday<\/div>\n
\n

Matthew 24:*These are excerpts I use that capture the main ideas of various parts of the Gospels….that is why they may seem unconnected in each night’s reading.<\/b><\/p>\n

The Great Tribulation<\/h3>\n

26\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cTherefore if they say to you, \u2018Look, He is in the desert!\u2019 do not go out; or<\/em> \u2018Look, He is<\/em> in the inner rooms!\u2019 do not believe it.<\/em> 27\u00a0<\/sup>For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28\u00a0<\/sup>For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.<\/p>\n

29\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cImmediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30\u00a0<\/sup>Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31\u00a0<\/sup>And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.<\/p>\n

32\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cNow learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is<\/em> near. 33\u00a0<\/sup>So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near\u2014at the doors! 34\u00a0<\/sup>Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35\u00a0<\/sup>Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.<\/p>\n

36\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cBut of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37\u00a0<\/sup>But as the days of Noah were,<\/em> so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38\u00a0<\/sup>For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39\u00a0<\/sup>and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40\u00a0<\/sup>Then two men<\/em> will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41\u00a0<\/sup>Two women will be<\/em> grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42\u00a0<\/sup>Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43\u00a0<\/sup>But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44\u00a0<\/sup>Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.<\/p>\n

Tuesday<\/p>\n

Matthew 27:<\/p>\n

45\u00a0<\/sup>Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46\u00a0<\/sup>And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, \u201cEli, Eli, lama sabachthani?\u201d that is, \u201cMy God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?\u201d<\/p>\n

47\u00a0<\/sup>Some of those who stood there, when they heard that,<\/em> said, \u201cThis Man is calling for Elijah!\u201d 48\u00a0<\/sup>Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it<\/em> with sour wine and put it<\/em> on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.<\/p>\n

49\u00a0<\/sup>The rest said, \u201cLet Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.\u201d<\/p>\n

50\u00a0<\/sup>And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.<\/p>\n

51\u00a0<\/sup>Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52\u00a0<\/sup>and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53\u00a0<\/sup>and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.<\/p>\n

54\u00a0<\/sup>So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, \u201cTruly this was the Son of God!\u201d<\/p>\n

55\u00a0<\/sup>And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, 56\u00a0<\/sup>among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee\u2019s sons.<\/p>\n

Wednesday<\/p>\n

Matthew 28<\/p>\n

16\u00a0<\/sup>Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17\u00a0<\/sup>When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.<\/p>\n

18\u00a0<\/sup>And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, \u201cAll authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19\u00a0<\/sup>Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20\u00a0<\/sup>teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even<\/em> to the end of the age.\u201d Amen.<\/p>\n

Quote:\u00a0“If you want cure your soul, you need four things. The first is to forgive your enemies. The second is to confess thoroughly. The third is to blame yourself. The fourth is to resolve to sin no more. If we wish to be saved, we must always blame ourselves and not attribute our wrong acts to others. And God, Who is most compassionate, will forgive us.”
\n(St. Cosmas of Aitolos from ‘Modern Orthodox Saints’)<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/p>\n

Mark 2<\/h3>\n

3\u00a0And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2\u00a0<\/sup>So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3\u00a0<\/sup>And He said to the man who had the withered hand, \u201cStep forward.\u201d 4\u00a0<\/sup>Then He said to them, \u201cIs it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?\u201d But they kept silent. 5\u00a0<\/sup>And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, \u201cStretch out your hand.\u201d And he stretched it<\/em> out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other<\/p>\n

Mark 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

23\u00a0<\/sup>So He called them to Himself<\/em> and said to them in parables: \u201cHow can Satan cast out Satan? 24\u00a0<\/sup>If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25\u00a0<\/sup>And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26\u00a0<\/sup>And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 27\u00a0<\/sup>No one can enter a strong man\u2019s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.<\/p>\n

28\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cAssuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29\u00a0<\/sup>but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation\u201d\u2014 30\u00a0<\/sup>because they said, \u201cHe has an unclean spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Friday<\/p>\n

21\u00a0<\/sup>Also He said to them, \u201cIs a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22\u00a0<\/sup>For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23\u00a0<\/sup>If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

24\u00a0<\/sup>Then He said to them, \u201cTake heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25\u00a0<\/sup>For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

6\u00a0<\/sup>He answered and said to them, \u201cWell did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:<\/p>\n

\u2018This people honors Me with their<\/em> lips,
\nBut their heart is far from Me.
\n7\u00a0<\/sup>And in vain they worship Me,
\nTeaching as<\/em> doctrines the commandments of men.\u2019<\/p>\n

8\u00a0<\/sup>For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men \u2014the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

9\u00a0<\/sup>He said to them, \u201cAll too<\/em> well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10\u00a0<\/sup>For Moses said, \u2018Honor your father and your mother\u2019; and, \u2018He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.\u2019 11\u00a0<\/sup>But you say, \u2018If a man says to his father or mother, \u201cWhatever profit you might have received from me is<\/em> Corban\u201d\u2014\u2019 (that is, a gift to God<\/em>), 12\u00a0<\/sup>then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13\u00a0<\/sup>making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

14\u00a0<\/sup>When He had called all the multitude to Himself,<\/em> He said to them, \u201cHear Me, everyone, and understand: 15\u00a0<\/sup>There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16\u00a0<\/sup>If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!\u201d<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/p>\n

17\u00a0<\/sup>When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18\u00a0<\/sup>So He said to them, \u201cAre you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19\u00a0<\/sup>because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus<\/em> purifying all foods?\u201d 20\u00a0<\/sup>And He said, \u201cWhat comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21\u00a0<\/sup>For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22\u00a0<\/sup>thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23\u00a0<\/sup>All these evil things come from within and defile a man.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

34\u00a0<\/sup>When He had called the people to Himself,<\/em> with His disciples also, He said to them, \u201cWhoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35\u00a0<\/sup>For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel\u2019s will save it. 36\u00a0<\/sup>For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37\u00a0<\/sup>Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38\u00a0<\/sup>For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sunday Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: 19\u00a0\u201cThere was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20\u00a0But there was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-orthodox-daily-devotional","has_no_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3817","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3817"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3819,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3817\/revisions\/3819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/orthodoxinsight.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}