The Morning Offering

Manifesting the Kingdom

Bringing the Kingdom of God into this World

The Gospel demands Christians usher the Kingdom of God into this world, not by political ideology, but by the individual Christian's transformation of self. This command to usher in the Kingdom of God is not about neutrality in the face of evil, but a recognition that the Church is only the Church, when she is there for others. The Church must be immune from any possibility of turning the message of Christ into anything that diminishes focus on the Crucified One, for her glory, as the Church, is in Christ Crucified. "If you can not find Christ in the beggar at the Church door, you will not find Him in the Chalice." Saint John Chrysostom

Orthodoxy is the incarnation of beauty, while political extremism is devoid of poetry and art. Political extremism  destroys beauty, while the Church embodies the very essence of beauty. The Church must never surrender to any political ideology because she must always stand on the side of the weakest and poorest of society. When the Church aligns herself with one camp or another, she is in danger of being absorbed into worldly ideologies that obscure her beatific vision. Neither democratic, nor socialistic, nor monarchical forms of government, are needed for the Church to thrive, if she is committed to living out her biblical vocation of pointing to Christ Jesus, the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.

The manifestation of the Kingdom of God can not be brought forth into this world by any political movement, nor by force of arms, but by the changing of the hearts of men and women everywhere. Only when Christ is manifest in His people, will the Kingdom take root, and peace and justice reign in this world. The darkness can not be overcome by any political movement, but only by the introduction of the light, the Light of Christ.

With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon

Photo: A full moon behind the onion dome of the monastery's church.

Saturday October 19, 2013 / October 6, 2013

17^th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven.

Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas (1st c.).

New Hieromartyr John priest (1937).
Virgin-martyr Eroteis of Cappadocia.
New Martyr Macarius at Kion in Bithynia (Mt. Athos) (1590) (Greek).
Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "O All-Hymned Mother".
Venerable Cindeus of Cyprus, monk (Greek).

You can read the life of the saint by clicking on the highlighted name.
THANKS 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

Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA

The Scripture Readings for the Day

1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

²⁰ Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

²¹ In the law it is written:

“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”

says the Lord.

²² Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. ²³ Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? ²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. ²⁵ And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

Luke 5:27-32

Matthew the Tax Collector

²⁷ After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” ²⁸ So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

²⁹ Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. ³⁰ And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, “Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

³¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”