Monday, November 21, 2011

Bishop as Servant

 The Church is to be led by servants, not by lords

The biblical image of the bishop is that of the good shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for his flock. He is one who serves his priests and his people as a loving father, guiding his flock by example and gentle prodding, not by fear or tyranny. Holiness of life and humility of heart are his chief characteristics, guiding his flock by example. His priests are his arms and legs as they minister to the people of God as servants. The true pastoral leadership of a bishop is that of a living icon of Jesus Christ Whom he serves. The servant is not greater than his Master.

Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon


Click on photos to enlarge


Monday November 21, 2011 / November 8, 2011
24th Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers: the Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel.
New Martyr Michael the Blessed of Chernigov (1922).
New Hieromartyr Paul priest (1937).
Righteous Martha, princess of Pskov (1300). Venerable Tyssilio, abbot of Meifod (Powys) (7th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Willihad, bishop of Bremen (Germany).
New Martyr Michael the Blessed of Chernigov (1922).






Your financial support of the monastery is greatly appreciated. These are difficult times for all and monasteries are no exception. If you are looking for gift ideas for your family or friends, you might want to consider purchasing a bag or two of our Monastery Blend Coffee. Both donations and coffee orders can be done through PayPal. 

I very much appreciate your prayerful and financial support of the monastery. We still have a large mortgage payment each month, and it has been a struggle.

With love in Christ,

Abbot Tryphon
 

Hebrews 2:2-10

 

2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
The Son Made Lower than Angels
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:


      “ What is man that You are mindful of him,
      Or the son of man that You take care of him?
       7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
      You have crowned him with glory and honor,
       And set him over the works of Your hands.
       8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
   For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.


Luke 10:16-21

 

16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
The Seventy Return with Joy
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus Rejoices in the Spirit
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/morningoffering
The PodCast is different than the article.


1 comment:

  1. I try to take this writing to heart. As the CEO of my new company, I subscribe to the servant leader approach. Pray for me that I may serve others.

    In Christ, Manuel

    ReplyDelete