The Morning Offering

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Thursday,  January 29 / January 16 (Church Calendar)
Chains of Saint Peter

Saints of the Day:

January 16 / 29. Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy Glorious Apostle Peter Martyrs Speusippus, Eleusippus, and Meleusippus the brothers, their grandmother Leonilla, and with them Neon, Turbo, and the woman Jonilla (Jovilla), in Cappadocia.Martyr Danax in Macedonia. New Hieromartyr Damascene of Chilandar on Mt. Athos. Blessed Maximus of Totma (Vologda), fool-for-Christ. St. Honoratus, Archbishop of Arles and founder of Lerins Monastery. St. Romil, monk of Mt. Athos, disciple of St.Gregory of Sinai, and with him Saints Nestor, Martinius, Daniel, Sisoes, Zosimas, and Gregory.

Scripture Readings for the Day:

1 Peter 4:12-5:5 (New King James Version)

Suffering for God's Glory

   
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it beginsbe the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now


      " If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
      Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. with us first, what will

 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

1 Peter 5

Shepherd the Flock

 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

   
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for


      " God resists the proud,
      But gives grace to the humble."

Mark 12:38-44 (New King James Version)

Beware of the Scribes

   
38 Then He said to them in His teaching, "Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."

The Widow's Two Mites

   
41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood." and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;

Thought for the Day:

"If a refiner knows how long to leave a piece of gold in the fire to purify it and takes it out at just the right time, how much more does God know when to remove us from our trials and tribulations."
St. John Chrysostom

Photo of the Day:

The Divine Liturgy is Life to us!