The Morning Offering

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering

Thursday, January 21 / 8 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

January 8 / 21. St. George the Chozebite, abbot. St. Domnica of Constantinople. St. Emilian the Confessor, bishop of Cyzicus. St.Gregory of the Kiev Caves. St. Elias the hermit of Egypt. Martyrs Julian and his wife Basilissa, and with them Marcionilla and herson Celsus, Anthony, Anastasius, seven children and twenty soldiers, at Antinoe in Egypt. Hieromartyr Carterius of Caesarea inCappadocia. Martyrs Theophilus the deacon and Helladius in Libya. Saints Cyrus and Atticus, patriarchs of Constantinople. St.Agatho of Egypt, monk. Hieromartyr Isidore and 72 companions at Yuriev (Dorpats in Estonia), slain by the Latins in 1472. St.Gregory, Bishop of Moesia (Bulgaria). Martyr Abo of Tiflis. St. Paisius of Uglich. St. Gregory (another), wonderworker of the Kiev Caves. Repose of Elder Isaiah of Valaam (1914).

Photo of the Day:

The monastery's temple, in the center, with the library on the right. The Saint John the Wonderworker Chapel is off in the distance.  (click for enlargement)

Quote of the Day:

"I grow weak, my Lord, before Thy wonders and, at a loss, I long to take refuge in silence."

 

St. Peter of Damaskos

"The Fourth Stage of Contemplation"

(The Philokalia)

Scripture Readings for the Day:

1 Peter 4-5:5

 ¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. ³ For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. ⁴ In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. ⁵ They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Serving for God's Glory

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon 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 begins with us first, what will be 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?"

 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 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, 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.

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 12:28-44

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?

²⁸ Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the first commandment of all?"
²⁹ Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. ³¹ And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
³² So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. ³³ And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
³⁴ Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
But after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?

   
³⁵ Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? ³⁶ For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:


      ' The LORD said to my Lord,

      " Sit at My right hand,
      Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'^[f]

 ³⁷ Therefore David himself calls Him 'Lord'; how is He then his Son?"
And the common people heard Him gladly.

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 Himself 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; ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."