The Morning Offering

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Tuesday, June 9 / May 27 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

May 27 / June 9. ASCENSION Hieromartyr Therapon, Bishop of Sardis. Translation of the Relics of St. Nilus of Stolbensk. Virgin Martyr Theodora and Martyr Didymus the soldier at Alexandria. Translation of the Relics of Saints Cyprian, Photius and Jonah, Metropolitan of Kiev. St. Therapont, abbot of Byelozersk. St. Therapont, abbot of Monza. St. John the Russian, whose relics are on the island of Euboia. (Greek Calendar: Martyr Eusebiotus. Martyr Alypius.)

Photo of the Day:

Archpriest Serge Kotar on board a ferry, following his pilgrimage to the monastery on Monday, with Vashon Island  in the distance. It is always a joy to have friends, such as Father Serge, spend time with us. Father Serge serves at Holy Virgin, Joy of All Who Sorrow, Cathedral in San Francisco. (Click to enlarge).

Thought for the Day:

"Reading the Holy Scriptures is like a treasure. With a treasure, you see, anyone able to find a tiny nugget gains for himself great wealth; likewise in the case of Sacred Scripture, you can get from a small phrase a great wealth of thought and immense riches. The Word of God is not only like a treasure, but is also like a spring gushing with ever flowing waters in a mighty flood."

St. John Chrysostom

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Romans 1:1-7

Greeting

 ¹ Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God ² which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Romans 1: 13-17

¹³ Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. ¹⁵ So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:25-5:12

²⁵ Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.

The Beatitudes

 ¹ And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
       ³ " Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
       ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
       ⁵ Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
       ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
       ⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
       ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
       ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
       ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ¹¹ "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.