The Fourth Sunday of the Blessed Month of Hathor

Readings

Vespers: Psalm 86:10, 12 & Matthew 17:14 – 21
Matins: Psalm 143:8 & John 20:1 – 18

Liturgy

Pauline epistle: 1 Corinthians 4:1 – 16
Catholic epistle: 2 Peter 1:1 – 8
Praxis: Acts 16:40 – 17:1-7
Psalm & Gospel: Psalms 100:3 & Mark 10:17 – 31

Introduction

“And if riches are longed for in life, what is richer than wisdom, which is being served in all things?” (Wisdom 8:5).

“There is nothing more iniquitous than to love money. For such a one has sold even his own soul. For in his life, he casts aside his innermost being.” (Sirach 10:10).

“When we continue to keep Him, in our inner being, He will make us rich, that we can give to others. We do not ask for, the wealth of this world, but for the salvation of our souls, by calling upon His holy name.] (Wednesday Psali).

[How could they follow Christ, those whose richness’ fetters made burdened? Rather how could they seek the heavens, or climb up exalted heights? Those who grew burdened with earthly lusts think that they own so much, while they themselves are but owned. They are bondmen to their profits; not masters over any of that which they have.] (Saint Cyprian – Commentary on 1 Timothy, Chapter 6 – Priest Tadros Ya’qoob Malati).

Observations on the Readings of the Day

The Pauline Epistle Reading of the Day (1 Cor.4:1 – 16) is also read on the third Sunday of the Month of Paone.

It is the Reading that talks about birth through the gospel (the Reading topic for the third Sunday of Paone) – and about the hearts being prepared by the word (the fourth Sunday of Hathor).

The Catholicon Reading of the Day (2 Peter 1:1 – 8) is that same as for the second Sunday of Paone; it is also similar to that of (2 Peter 1:1 – 11), read on the third of Mesore (departure of Saint Simon Stylites).

This Day’s Reading talks about the perfect knowledge of our Lord Jesus through multiplied virtues. But the Reading for the second Sunday of Paone tells about the greatness of faith. As for the added

verses, which are not found in those put for Sundays – (9 – 11) – they speak about diligence in keeping up the calling (Saint Simon Stylites).

The Morning Psalm of the Day (Ps.143:8) – bears the same verse repeated in the Liturgy Psalm for the first Sunday of the Month of Paone:

“Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” (Ps. 143:8)

For this Day the focus is on the guidance of the Spirit in the way of life; which is more clearly shown through the rest of the verses of this Psalm (V.10):

“Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.” (Ps. 143:10)

But for the fourth Sunday of the Month of Hathor the verse shows the yearning of man for knowing the way: such as happened with the rich young man – the topic of this Sunday Liturgy Gospel.

The Liturgy Gospel Reading of the Day (Mark 10:17 – 31) is somewhat like that of (Mark 10:17 – 30) for the Morning of Parmoute 30 (martyrdom of Saint Mark the Apostle).

Explanation of the Readings

For this Day, the Readings talk about the Divine plan of the Father for the perfect Woman (the church of God).

This Sunday is that of glory and compensation for those who have loved the Lord: that for those who have drunk of the water of the Spirit (first Sunday) in whom their life has brought forth fruits (second one) – who have lived in continual forsakenness and renunciation by their own will, having always been led by the Spirit of God (third one) – comes this Sunday so as to reveal to them, or rather to reflect through them the glory and riches of the divine reward (fourth Sunday).

To begin come the Psalms with our confessing of His glory (Vesper Psalm), our need for His providence (Morning one), and the same for the whole church (that of the Liturgy).

Thus the Vesper Psalm begins with revealing the only glory in our life; the glory of His holy name, and also His wonders and His greatness:

“And I will glorify Your name forevermore. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” (Ps. 86:12, 10)

Revealed through the Morning Psalm is our need to know His godly way:

“Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” (Ps. 143:8) This was the question of the rich young man about the way to eternal life – as says the Liturgy Gospel.

Then, the Liturgy Psalm says that we are His creation; so, of ourselves we have no glory: but our glory is that we are His creation, His people, and the sheep of His pasture:

“Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Ps. 100:3)

The Vesper Gospel shows what degree, what power and capability our faith would get to work with – even if it were just as a grain of mustard seed! So nothing at all would stand against it; that it would even move the mountains:

“’For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20)

Then the Readings reveal the work of the servant for the glory of his [her] children (Pauline Epistle) – so that they may testify the great glories in Christ (Catholicon), that they are far greater, and of more preciousness than all the riches of the world with its honor and glory (Praxis).

Saint Paul declares that the real glory of a servant is not to be defined by any human opinion whatever it was; but it comes from God mainly:

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself… but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Cor. 4:3-5) Also, he openly expresses that as a father and pastor he rejoices for the glory of his children, but with an exceedingly passionate parenthood he blames them, saying,

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!… I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.” (1 Cor. 4:10, 14)

Then the Catholicon reveals the glory and riches of the Spirit in those who as living, brought forth fruits of virtue, knowledge, chastity, patience, godliness, brotherly love; and love: not out of a particular worthiness, but it is the riches and free glory preserved in our faith and life in Christ:

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Pet 1:3-4)

Therefore the Praxis announces that philosophers and those of wealth and great positions in the sight of the world receive the faith, so as to emphasize the high exaltedness of this faith above all its glory and popularity:

“And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.” (Acts 17:4)

While the Gospel of the third Sunday warns of upholding the love of money – “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33) – comes the fourth Sunday Liturgy Gospel to show the loss of those who laid hold on material things and did not follow Christ:

“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:22)

This fourth Sunday Gospel also shows the glory of God for those who forsook all things for the sake of perfect devotion, and the riches of His divine reward to them for their life on earth, and the riches of their heavenly inheritance:

“’See, we have left all and followed You.’ So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time… and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:28-30)

As the Vesper Gospel reveals the glory of the meek in faith, “’and nothing will be impossible for you’” (Matt. 17:20) – the Liturgy Gospel confirms this glory for whoever seek the way of perfection:

“… ‘For with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)

Summary of the readings

So the divine glory comes out of glorifying the name of God, walking in His way, and affiliation to Him (Psalms of Vesper, Morning and Liturgy).

This is applied to the Gentiles as well (Vesper Gospel).

It is an innermost glory which is not to be valued by the measures of Men (Pauline Epistle).

With a great desire come all human beings into it (Praxis).

Such glory has so lifted us up that we may be partakers of the divine nature (Catholicon) –