Byzantine Catholic Mission
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Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Mission |
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O ye incorporeal angels who stand before the throne of God, luminous with the brilliance thereof and everlastingly shining with radiance. As secondary luminaries, entreat Christ, that He grant unto our souls peace and great mercy. O immortal messengers of the truly incorruptible Life, ye most blessed ones who received life from the first Life, ye have become holy beholders of the eternal Wisdom, full of light, and reflecting lamps shown forth as is meet. O ye archangels and angels, principalities, thrones, dominions, six-winged seraphim, and divine, many-eyed cherubim, instruments of wisdom, virtues and powers most divine. Pray ye to Christ, that He grant our souls peace and great mercy. Archives:
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HOLY RESURRECTION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC MISSION
Slava Isusu Christu! Slava Na Niky!
Divine Liturgy begins at 4 p.m. Every Sunday
Potluck supper follows Liturgy on the third Sunday of the month
JUNE 24, 2007
Our Offerings
ATTENTION! HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION: FRIDAY, JUNE 29
BIRTH OF THE BAPTIST
On the 24th day of June, we shall celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The icon on
today’s bulletin illustrates the scene of his birth.
Zacharias, the father of St. John the Baptist, was a priest who belonged to the section of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth,
was a direct descendent of Aaron, the brother of Moses. Both “walked blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances
of the Lord.” Both were advanced in years and were childless. They dearly longed for a child.
While serving in the temple according to his lot, an angel of the Lord appeared to Zacharias and informed him that his and
Elizabeth’s prayers would be answered—that Elizabeth would conceive a son who should be called John. Zacharias was
unable to speak until the birth of the child because he did not believe the angel’s words.
According to St. Luke, “When Elizabeth’s time to bear the child was completed she brought forth a
son” (1:57). On the eighth day the boy was to be circumcised and given a name—usually the name of the father.
Asked for the name he desired his son to bear, Zacharias wrote on a writing tablet, “John is his name.” At that
moment his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak and praise God. The icon depicts Zacharias writing the words “John
is his name” on a writing tablet.
Zacharias had a great vision for his son. He saw in his son the one who would prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.
The beautiful words of Zacharias’ joy are recorded in St. Luke’s Gospel (1:67-80).
Scriptural Truths by Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris
It is important for us to realize that scriptural truths have often been woven into the church calendar. Take, for example,
the words of St. John the Baptist concerning his relationship to Jesus: “He must increase, but I must
decrease.” (John 3:30)
The birthday of Jesus was fixed on December 25. This is at the beginning of the winter solstice, after which the days
grow longer, i.e., Jesus, the Light, has entered the world: He must increase. The light does increase as the length of
daylight increases.
On the other hand, St. John the Baptist’s birthday was fixed on June 24, which is at the very beginning of the
summer solstice, after which the days grow shorter, i.e., John was not the light: He must decrease. “He (John the
Baptist) was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light.” (John 1:8)
As you abide in Christ, His light in you will increase.
GOSPEL THOUGHT
In today’s Holy Gospel, Jesus praises the Roman centurion for his great confidence in Him. The centurion asked Christ to
heal his servant from the palsy by just saying the word. Today’s gospel contains two important truths when we take into
consideration the two great virtues that always go together—faith and humility.
Great faith and sincere humility give great value to a human being. Faith is the foundation of all virtues: without faith we
cannot please God, nor can we perform any good deeds. Thus, faith without humility would not be very strong.
Humility is the virtue that acknowledges God’s authority and inclines the human heart to be dependent on God. Humility
does not belittle a human being, in contrast—it elevates him! Let us all be faithful and humble because God opposes the
proud and to the humble He gives His grace.
FEAST OF STS. PETER AND PAUL
We will come together on Friday, June 29, to celebrate the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. It is a great feast of the
church on which we honor these two apostles. In the gospel, Christ three times asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter replied,
“Yes, Lord, I do love You.” On the third time, Peter in exasperation said, “Lord, You know all things; You
know that I love You!”
We, too, must persevere and walk in the spirit of the Apostles Peter and Paul. The words of our Lord to Peter could be
addressed to us also: “Do you love me?”
Make Peter’s reply yours: “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You!”
Then add: “I will show my love for You, I will prove it. I will prove my love throughout this day on the feast of Your
apostles. I will make the sentiments that I express at the Divine Liturgy carry over into my daily life.”
PASTORAL PONDERINGS
We have completed our review of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist) and are now ready to look
at the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
Here at Holy Family the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) is available every Saturday afternoon from 4:45 to 5:15, and
at other times by arrangement with the pastor.
—Father Thomas O’Connell
Last updated: 16-Jul-2007 |
