Table of Contents
Readings
- Vespers: Psalm 119:7-8 & Matthew 14:22-36
- Matins: Psalm 35:18, 28 & John 20:1-18
Liturgy
- Pauline epistle: 1 Timothy 6:3-21
- Catholic epistle: James 4:17-5:11
- Praxis: Acts 15:36-16:5
- Psalm & Gospel: Psalm 79:13 & Luke 7:11-17
Introduction
“For it is You, O Lord, who holds the power of life and death; You both lead to the threshold of death and You restore.” (Wisdom 16:13).
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, He shall live.’” (John 11:25).
[He who took us up out of the depths into the light; who gave us life out of death; who granted us deliverance from bondage] (A Fraction Prayer for the Father).
[Although there is grave sin that you cannot wash away yourself with the tears of your penitence, let the mother of the church weep for you. She who intercedes for all as a widowed mother for only sons is she who suffers with the spiritual grief of nature when she perceives her children urged on to death by mortal sins. Already at the funeral you will arise, already will you be released from the sepulcher; the attendants at your funeral will stand still, you will begin to speak words of life, all will be afraid; for very many are corrected by the example of one. They will praise God, who has bestowed upon us such great help for the avoidance of death. (Saint Ambrose – Commentary on Luke, Chapter 7 – Priest Tadros Ya’qoob Malati).
[It was, my beloved, that you might learn that the holy body of Christ is productive for the salvation of man. The flesh of the almighty Word is the body of life and was clothed with his might. Consider that iron when brought into contact with fire produces the effects of fire and fulfills its functions. The flesh of Christ also has the power of giving life and annihilates the influence of death and corruption because it is the flesh of the Word, who gives life to all. (Saint Cyril the Great – Commentary on Luke, Chapter 7 – Priest Tadros Ya’qoob Malati).
Observations on the Readings of the Day
The Pauline Epistle Reading of the Day (1 Tim.6:3 – 21) is similar to that of (1 Tim.6:3 – 16) the third Sunday of the Month of Epep.
The Pauline Reading of this day says: ‘For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ‘(verse 7).
Also, the verses (13 – 21) are added; those which proclaim the Son of God, who gives life to all: (like the son of the widow of Nain – the topic of the Sunday Reading).
He emphasizes to the rich the importance of trust in the living God, regarding the uncertainty of wealth. He talks about that the true meaning of life comes through being generous in giving and abundant in distributing, thus going side by side with enjoying life.
The Pauline Epistle reading for the third Sunday of Epep is contented with the verses (3 – 16) to illustrate through verses (6 – 8) that Godliness and contentment are the springs of blessing; also to bear the warning through verses (9 – 11) of the desire of quick richness and the love of wealth.
The Praxis Reading of the Day (Acts 15:36 – 16:1 – 5) itself put for Parmoute 30, and for Hathor 28 (martyrdom of Saint Serapamon).
This day marks the visit of the pastors to their pastures, revealing that of God’s to His people:
“And, ‘God has visited His people’” (Liturgy Gospel).
Meanwhile, it is read on the 28th of Hathor for the sake of Saint Serapamon the Bishop of Nikiou, who because of the tribulations at Jerusalem –by divine guidance had gone to Alexandria, where he was ordained as a bishop, and then martyred (Hathor 28).
But for Hathor 30, it comes to show God’s longsuffering and containment for pastors at their contentions, that He allows such to take place for His divine dispensation, and for planning for Saint Mark to come to Cyprus and to Egypt afterwards (the thirtieth of Parmoute).
Explanation of the Readings
The Readings of the Day talk about the Son, the Prince of life and about the time of visitation.
Psalms
So the Psalms proclaim:praising, giving thanks, and confessing justice in His judgments.
Such confessions come first from the upright in heart, as shown through the Vesper Psalm:
“I will praise You with uprightness of heart”.
Then this praising grows as much as to include not only the human soul, but the whole church – as says the Morning Psalm:
“I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.”
So, those all are endlessly abiding for all times and all ages; just as says the Liturgy Psalm:
“So, we… will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations.”
Through the Vesper Gospel, the Prince and source of life, our Lord Jesus Christ– to whom be all glory – gives us the most essential gifts and needs of humanity for the journey of life. That in the middle of the sea of this world with its contrasting wind and striking waves He gives us peace, healing, safety and salvation. Thus, in the fourth watch, at the time of our despair, He comes forth to visit us:
“They were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ … and beginning to sink he cried out, saying ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him… and… brought to Him all who were sick and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.”
Liturgy Readings
The Readings reveal the importance of laying hold on life everlasting (Pauline Epistle), the peril of oppression that leads to condemnation (Catholicon), and the visitation of God to His church despite the weaknesses of pastors (Praxis).
The Pauline Epistle shows the importance of laying hold on eternal life, and the graveness of holding on to earthly things:
“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
Also, Saint Paul speaks about the diligence of Man to keep upholding eternal life:
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called”.
Besides, he calls the wealthy for the riches of giving and the knowledge of the preciousness of the life they hold:
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches… ready to give… storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
Then comes the Catholicon to warn the rich of oppressing the poor, and to preach the oppressed that the judgment is at hand for each of those who are wicked; and that He is standing at the doors, that everyone may take heed not to oppress at all:
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming… Indeed, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth… Therefore, be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord… Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”
As for Praxis, it expounds how the church reveals God’s visitation unto mankind in all places; so, the growth of the church is the evidence of the visitation of God to her, let alone pastors’ weaknesses:
“Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing’… Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another… So, the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.”
Consequently, the Liturgy Gospel comes to declare the greatest visitation of God that which was made for the sake of humanity who had been dead by sin: to whom went the Savior Himself for to raise and to restore life:
“Behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother… And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’… Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us’; and ‘God has visited His people.’”
How nice it is that though the visitation might be affected by pastors’ weaknesses (Praxis) – God personally is to go to the dead of His children to visit them (Liturgy Gospel).
Here Saint Cyril the Great comments, saying that the Lord Jesus meant to touch the coffin; whereas a word of His was sufficient for raising the young man, just as He has done with Lazarus. Yet He was willing to manifest the power of life in His holy body, as he was also doing by other miracles.
Here are some Biblical verses showing the power and glory of life in the body of the Word: –
(Matt.14:36) – (Matt.17:7) – (Mark 6:56) – (Mark 7:33) – (Luke 4:40) – (Luke 5:13) – (Luke 8:46) – (Luke 8:54) – (John 6:54 – 56).
Summary of the readings
The true life is found in seeking righteousness, in godliness and abundant giving (Pauline Epistle);
Not by any means in oppressing one another (Catholicon).
It is by God that life is to be given us out of our death (Liturgy Gospel),
Or out of our tribulations (Morning Gospel).
By the church is this life revealed, through her growth and work of visitation (Praxis).
Therefore it turns into praising by the upright soul (Vesper Psalm),
Together with the great assembly; the church (Morning Psalm) –
For all times and ages (Liturgy Psalm).