Prayer
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| Ethiopian pilgrims to the monastery |
Seek first the Kingdom of God
It
seems to be part of our human condition that we always want something.
As children we ask for candy or cookies, and even sneak around our moms
when told we have to wait till after dinner. As young people we often
pray only when we're facing an exam we've not prepared for, asking God
to help us pass the test. As adults we pray for a better job, a nicer
boss, or a bigger house. We pray that our children will be good, even
though we have spent little time raising them up in the ways of God.
Our prayers reflect our self centered nature. We see God as a sort of eternal parent who dispenses everything we think we need. A great deal of spiritual energy is spent asking for the things we just know we need for happiness, and demonstrate little trust that God will give us that which we really need.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)." The beginning of a good prayer life can be found only in the truth of these divinely inspired words. Seek the kingdom of God and you will learn the true meaning of trust, the true meaning of love, and the true meaning of life.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Our prayers reflect our self centered nature. We see God as a sort of eternal parent who dispenses everything we think we need. A great deal of spiritual energy is spent asking for the things we just know we need for happiness, and demonstrate little trust that God will give us that which we really need.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)." The beginning of a good prayer life can be found only in the truth of these divinely inspired words. Seek the kingdom of God and you will learn the true meaning of trust, the true meaning of love, and the true meaning of life.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Saturday August 11, 2012 / July 29, 2012
10th Week after Pentecost. Tone eight.
Martyr Callinicus of Gangra in Asia Minor (250).
New Hieromartyrs Venerables Seraphim (Bogoslovsky) and Theognost (1921).
New Hieromartyr Anatole (1930-1935).
New Hieromartyr Alexis priest, and Martyr Pachomius (1938).
Venerables Constantine and Cosmas, abbots of Kosinsk (Pskov) (13th c.).
Virgin-martyr Seraphima (Serapia) of Antioch (2nd c.).
Martyr Theodota and her three sons, in Bithynia (304).
Martyr Michael (9th c.).
Martyr Eustathius of Mtskheta in Georgia (589) (Georgia).
St. Constantine, patriarch of Constantinople (676).
The Nativity of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra in Lycia (4th c.)
Venerable Romanus, abbot of Kirzhach (1392), disciple of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Translation of Velikoretsky Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Viatka to Moscow (1555).St. Theodosius the New, emperor (450).
St. Lupus the Confessor, bishop of Troyes (479).
Martyr Mamas in Darii.
Martyrs Benjamin and Berius of Constantinople (Greek).
Martyr Basiliscus the Elder (Greek).
Hieromartyr Bessarion of Smolyan, Bulgaria (1670).
You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.
THANK
YOU, to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support
of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have
impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate,
have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and
kindness.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Abbot Tryphon
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
Romans 15:30-33
30 Now
I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the
love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God
for me, 31 that
I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my
service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Matthew 17:24-18:4
Peter and His Master Pay Their Taxes
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”
25 He said, “Yes.”
And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”
26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.”
Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless,
lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish
that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a
piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Who Is the Greatest?
18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly,
I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children,
you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
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