The readings of this day speak about the righteousness of the living faith of every Christian.
The readings begin with the book of Genesis with the most beautiful example of the righteousness of faith for every person who seeks the way of GodŲ
The prayer of Jacob, the father of the fathers, but his struggle with God until dawn, and the greatest blessing that a person receives is to see God-as much as God allows weak humanity
“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
“What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”
And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
And He blessed him there. “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32)
Isaiah’s prophecy proclaims the son of God as the head of the corner, the stone of the New Testament and the value of everyone’s faith in Him.
“Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; ” (Isaiah 28)
The book of Job warns of the other negative side of not believing and adhering to God’s righteousness. If Isaiah’s prophecy provides the cornerstone and faith in Him, the book of Job declares the danger and fate of unbelief and man’s life for himself away from God’s righteousness.
“Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds,
Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.”
(Job 20)
The book of Daniel presents a bright picture of the believer: despite the agitation of the stubborn and resistant, and although the tribulation came because of faith, he also survived it because of his strong faith in his God.
“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” (Daniel 6)
In the Matins psalm, the soul is proud of God’s salvation.
“You shall keep them, O Lord, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.” (Psalms 12)
The Matins gospel extols the value of faith in the extent to which the sick trust in the healing power of the Lord for them.
“And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.” (Mark 3)
Pauline Epistle connects faith, hope and love, as if it is love that proclaims and proves the righteousness of faith, without which it becomes worthless, even if a person has great talents.
“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 12,13)
Catholic Epistle reveals three diseases that kill the righteousness of faith in our Christian behavior: speaking evil of one another, pride and injustice.
“Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you.” (James 4,5)
Praxis proclaims the power and effectiveness of prayer in the name of Jesus and the faith of believers that all the agitation of the world is known and within the limits permitted by the Pantocrator
“to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that
signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4)
Therefore, souls rejoice in the psalm of the liturgy for their confidence in God’s Justice, judgments and arrangements.
“Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments.” (Psalms 48)
The Gospel of the liturgy concludes with the persistence of faith and its steadfastness despite the warning of those who went before.
“And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, saying, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God.” (Luke 18)
The summary of the readings
The struggle of Jacob until dawn is an example of the righteousness of faith in prayer. Genesis
The son of God is the cornerstone, and those who believe in Him are not ashamed. The book of Isaiah
The life of man without the righteousness of God leads him to destruction. The book of Job
The strong faith saves from death. The book of Daniel
The soul rejoices in God’s salvation and trusts in his just judgments. The Matins and liturgy psalmsV Christian love proclaims the righteousness of faith. Pauline Epistle
Speaking evil of one another, pride and injustice declare the absence of the righteousness of faith. Catholic Epistle
The effectiveness of praying in the name of Jesus and the power of the name in the face of the threats of the world.Praxis
The insistence of faith and the strong demand despite the resistance of those around. The Gospel of the liturgy
The church in today’s readings
Church is the house of angels. Genesis
Christ is the cornerstone. The book of Isaiah
Prayer by prostrating. The book of Daniel
The son of God’s authority over diseases and evil spirits. The Matins gospel
The gifts of the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit. Pauline Epistle
Being filled with the Spirit. Praxis