Today’s Readings:
Epistle: Romans 10:1-10
Gospel: Matthew 8:28-9:1
Schedule of Services:
Saturday, July 15th, Baptism of Josephina Gall at 10am. (No Great Vespers)
Sunday, July 16th, Divine Liturgy at 10am. Hours begin at 9:40am.
Announcements:
-Regarding the collection for the Choir Director's workshop, $730 was donated by our parishioners. The remaining $720 will be divided between a generous, anonymous donor and the Sisterhood.
-Again, please consider donating to the Building Preservation/Rectory Fund. Sign up is located on the bulletin board. All donations are appreciated.
-Don’t forget the needy. Shop Rite gift cards or non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated.
-The baptism of Josephina Gall will take place on Saturday, July 15th at 10 am. All are welcome to attend.
-There will be no Great Vespers served at the parish on Saturday, July 22nd.
--Beginning in September, with the Church New Year, we will begin to hold Memorial Prayers on the first Sunday of every month, following Divine Liturgy, for our departed parishioners (like we did on St. Thomas Sunday).
Prayers for:
Departed:
Living: Nicholas, The newborn child, Josephina, Matushka Mary, Nicholas, Steven, Paul, Archpriest Paul, Melissa, Helen, John, Stephen, Michele, Janet, Teresa, Irina, Alla, Ira, Victor; Vinni, Caroline, Tyler, and Aubrey, Metropolitan Onuphry and the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; the suffering people and innocent victims of the Ukrainian/Russian war and those being persecuted; the suffering people of Yemen, Syria and Turkey, and Palestine.
Words for the Day:
Meekness is an unchanging state of mind, which both in honor and dishonor remains the same. Meekness consists in praying sincerely and undisturbedly in the face of afflictions from one's neighbor. Meekness is a cliff rising from the sea of irritability, against which all the that waves that strive against it break, but which is itself never broken.
(St. John of the Ladder, Ladder, 24.4)
Let them push you, but do not push; Let them crucify you, but do not crucify. Let them insult, but do not insult. Let them slander, but do not slander. Be meek, and do not be zealous in evil.
(St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily, 89)
As fire is not extinguished by fire, so anger is not conquered by anger, but is made even more inflamed. But meekness often subdues even the most beastly enemies, softens them and pacifies them.
(St. Tikhon of Zadonsk)
“He said to them, ‘Go!’” The […] animals are delivered up, not at the will of the demons but to show how savage the demons can become against humans. They ardently seek to destroy and dispossess all that is, acts, moves and lives. They seek the death of people. The ancient enmity of deep-rooted wrath and malice is in store for the human race. Demons do not give up easily unless they are forcibly overcome. They are doing the harm they are ordered to do. Therefore the […] animals are delivered up that it may be made clear to the demons that they have permission to enter the swine but not to enter humans. It is by our vices that we empower them to do harm. Similarily, by our power of faith we tread on the necks of demons. They become subject to us under Christ who is triumphant.
Peter Chrysologus, Sermons 16.8
Next Week’s Readings:
Epistle: Romans 12:6-14. Brethren, having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Gospel: Matthew 9:1-8. And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.