Day 1 (Monday)

Exodus 12:29-51 (Death of Firstborn, Exodus, Passover)

Last time we saw Yahweh give extremely precise instructions to the people of Israel regarding how they were to celebrate the Passover, and how their obedience would establish a distinction between them and the Egyptians, making everyone who took part in the Passover a member of God’s people of Israel, a partaker in His covenant. This time, we will finally see the tenth plague, the justice of Yahweh upon Pharaoh and all those who held to Pharaoh despite the warnings of Moses and the nine plagues that had preceded it, as demonstrations of the power of Yahweh and the vanity of the gods of Egypt. In this final plague, those gods, from Pharaoh to the many demon gods he served, are overthrown and made a mockery, and justice is given for the 400 years of slavery in which Israel had served, and most especially for the slaughter of the infant children of Israel by Pharaoh.

The Tenth Plague: Death of the Firstborn

29 At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. 30 Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians; and there was a loud cry in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead. 31 Then he summoned Moses and Aaron in the night, and said, “Rise up, go away from my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord, as you said. 32 Take your flocks and your herds, as you said, and be gone. And bring a blessing on me too!”

The Exodus: From Rameses to Succoth

33 The Egyptians urged the people to hasten their departure from the land, for they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped up in their cloaks on their shoulders. 35 The Israelites had done as Moses told them; they had asked the Egyptians for jewelry of silver and gold, and for clothing, 36 and the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. And so they plundered the Egyptians.

37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed crowd also went up with them, and livestock in great numbers, both flocks and herds. 39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt; it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.

40 The time that the Israelites had lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, on that very day, all the companies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42 That was for the Lord a night of vigil, to bring them out of the land of Egypt. That same night is a vigil to be kept for the Lord by all the Israelites throughout their generations.

Directions for the Passover

43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron: This is the ordinance for the passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but any slave who has been purchased may eat of it after he has been circumcised; 45 no bound or hired servant may eat of it. 46 It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the animal outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. 47 The whole congregation of Israel shall celebrate it. 48 If an alien who resides with you wants to celebrate the passover to the Lord, all his males shall be circumcised; then he may draw near to celebrate it; he shall be regarded as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it; 49 there shall be one law for the native and for the alien who resides among you.

50 All the Israelites did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 That very day the Lord brought the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, company by company.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (There are many things that the Leader can point out here, but perhaps the most surprising element is that, although verse 43 says that no foreigner is permitted to take part in the Passover…but then verse 48 gives clear instructions for how a foreigner, someone who is not a descendant of Abraham, is to become a part of Israel, but undergoing circumcision and then taking part in the Passover. This is an essential thing for us to undestand, that Yahweh was indeed inviting all nations to become a part of Israel, but that in order to do so, they needed to become part of the covenant He had established with Abraham through circumcision, and then to take part in the Passover, which makes Israel His particular people. We see this continue in the Church, with the process of catechesis, which begins with exorcisms, continuing with Baptism, and concluding with Chrismation, with these three actions corresponding with circumcision, with the Passover, and with the covenant at Mt. Sinai which is commemorated at the Jewish feast of Pentecost.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Saint Theophan the Recluse – The Path of Prayer – Sermon 1 – A Personal Rule of Prayer

Last time St. Theophan gave some suggestions for how to remain attentive in prayer, namely, that we should pay attention to understand what the words of our prayer mean, and then work hard to participate in that meaning, to “feel” their meaning. This time, he will give some specific examples of what this might look like.

A Personal Rule of Prayer – 6

For example, when you recite: “and cleanse us from all impurities,” experience with feeling your own impurity, desire to become pure, and pray to God in hope for it.

When you receive: “and forgive us our trespasses,” etc, first forgive everyone inwardly, and then, from a heart that has forgiven everyone for every single thing, beg the Lord to give us forgiveness.

When you recite: “Your will be done,” submit your destiny to the Lord, and without questioning, state that you are prepared to accept willingly everything the Lord will send you.

If you work in this way at every line of your prayers, you will have said them in the correct manner.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that this sort of attention is not something that we can expect ourselves to do automatically, but is a matter of effort and persistence. It will take more time as we begin, but is something that we can expect to get better at, if not in a linear way; it is also something that we should expect to sometimes come more easily, and sometimes require more effort. It is helpful, nonetheless, to understand what it is that we should be working to accomplish when we pray.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Mark 14:32-72 (Gethsemane, Betrayal & Arrest, Trial Before the High Priest, Peter's Denial

Last time, we saw Jesus and the Disciples go to celebrate the Passover, after Judas Iscariot decided to betray him. At the Passover meal, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, breaking the bread and blessing the wine, and giving them to the Disciples as His own Body and Blood. He then predicted to them that they would all betray him, even Peter, who insisted that he would never do so, and would die first; Jesus told him that that very night, before the rooster crowed twice, Peter would deny Him three times. In this week’s reading, we will see Jesus lead His Disciples out to Gethsemane, where what He foretold will happen just as He said.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” 35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.”

37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38 Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him.

46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 All of them deserted him and fled. 51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.

Jesus before the Council

53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree.

57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am; and

‘you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of the Power,’
and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him over and beat him.

Peter Denies Jesus

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out the two most important passages here, which show that Jesus was not taken unawares or unwilling, are found in verses 41-42, where He tells the Disciples that the time has come, and His betrayer is there, so they need to go and meet him, and in verse 62, where He affirms to the high priest that He is indeed the Messiah, and further connects that to the prophecy about the Son of Man from the Prophet Daniel, which is clearly shown in Daniel to be God Himself. So He makes clear that He is both Messiah and God, and that He is accepting this betrayal and humiliation and death willingly. With that understood, we can comprehend that His prayer at the beginning of this selection, asking that “this cup” pass from Him, is not a sign of unwillingness to undergo the Passion, since even there, He submits His will to the Father’s, but is rather a revelation of the reality of His human nature, that in His humanity He does not wish to die, even as it is indeed precisely what He came to do in His Divinity. This revelation of the mystery of the Incarnation is essential; we cannot explain it, but we must confess it, as those Apostles who saw and heard what the Lord said and did bore witness, that Jesus Christ is God become Man, for the sake of us and our salvation.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 1 (Monday)

Exodus 12:1-28 (Passover Instituted)

Last time we saw the warning of the final plague, the death of the firstborn, given to Pharaoh, and Moses left his presence for the last time. This time, God will give instructions to the people for how they are to celebrate the Passover, which becomes the foundation and formation of the Lord’s People as they leave slavery and enter into the Yahweh’s purpose for them.

The First Passover Instituted

12 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: 2 This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. 4 If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. 7 They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.

11 This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

14 This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance. 15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day shall be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day you shall hold a solemn assembly, and on the seventh day a solemn assembly; no work shall be done on those days; only what everyone must eat, that alone may be prepared by you.

17 You shall observe the festival of unleavened bread, for on this very day I brought your companies out of the land of Egypt: you shall observe this day throughout your generations as a perpetual ordinance. 18 In the first month, from the evening of the fourteenth day until the evening of the twenty-first day, you shall eat unleavened bread. 19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether an alien or a native of the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your settlements you shall eat unleavened bread.

21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select lambs for your families, and slaughter the passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood in the basin. None of you shall go outside the door of your house until morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through to strike down the Egyptians; when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over that door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you down.

24 You shall observe this rite as a perpetual ordinance for you and your children. 25 When you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this observance. 26 And when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this observance?’ 27 you shall say, ‘It is the passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt, when he struck down the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed down and worshiped.

28 The Israelites went and did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (There are many things to note in this passage. Primary among them, I think, is this: the entire purpose of the ten plagues has been to warn, and ultimately, to judge Egypt, but the broader purpose is for the children of Israel to be freed from slavery. Up to this point, they have simply been protected from the plagues that the Egyptians experienced. Here, however, God gives to THEM a specific instruction, that they must obey in order to be delivered. This moment, then, establishes anew who is and is not a part of the Lord’s people; those who obey, who take part in the Passover, are the nation of Israel from this time forward. They are not saved on the basis of their blood or ancestry, but on the basis of their obedience. Beyond that, we can see many things that we recognize; Holy Week is mirrored here, with two great assemblies at the beginning and at the end. We should also note that everything about the celebration of the Passover is one-time-only. There are no leftovers; everything is done in readiness to depart, for in eating the Lord’s Passover, the children of Israel, and we ourselves, become strangers to the kingdoms of this world, wanderers on the earth, following a higher calling, becoming citizens rather of the kingdom of God. We are not to settle down permanently, for our dwelling place is with the Lord.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Saint Theophan the Recluse – The Path of Prayer – Sermon 1 – A Personal Rule of Prayer

Last time St. Theophan gave some practical guidance for how we should prepare ourselves to pray, with some time of silence beforehand to allow us to inhabit the relationship with the Lord to which we are called, to remember who we are, and Who He is. This time, he will give some advice in how to go about our prayers attentively.

A Personal Rule of Prayer – 5

Once you have established your inner state in this way, stand before the icon and, prostrate yourself a few times. Then begin the recital of the customary prayers. (For instance, you could begin: “Glory to you, our God, glory to You! Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling all things…”)

Repeat this without haste, so that you enter into every word, and so bring the meaning of each word down into your heart … and accompany this by bowing. This is the whole work of prayer. It is fruitful and it is pleasing to God.

Simply enter into every word, then bring the meaning of each word down into your heart. That is, understand what you say, and then become aware of what you have understood. No further rules are necessary. These two, understanding and feeling – if they are properly carried out – ornament every offering of prayer with the highest quality, and this makes it fruitful and effective.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that this work of attentive prayer will be very slow to begin with, and will never be rushed…but that it does not always require careful effort to understand and participate in the meaning of our words. Sometimes we do this naturally, in all kinds of conversations and circumstances, in moments of fear or grief or joy or love or anger; the goal is for this to become more natural for us in prayer, so that we may be truly present with the Lord, Who is always present with us.

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Mark 14:1-31

Last time we read from Mark 9, as Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death and resurrection, and instructing them what it truly meant to follow Him, that they should not seek to gain power or prestige, but to serve all. In Mark 10, He continues on His way toward Jerusalem, and in Mark 11, He arrives and enters the city. We will read this passage on Palm Sunday. The next two chapters, Mark 12 & 13, show Him preaching in the Temple, and then in Mark 14 the Pharisees plot to kill Him, and matters proceed toward His betrayal. We are skipping ahead to that point, so that we can read the final chapters prior to the Lord’s Death and Resurrection in these weeks as we approach Holy Week and Pascha.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

14 It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2 for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Peter’s Denial Foretold

26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” 30 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that the anointing of Jesus that begins this text shows us once again that He knows what is coming, that He is choosing to suffer and die, that this is His plan. When we talk about the Lord being betrayed, we aren’t saying that someone fooled Him or tricked Him or trapped Him, and He would have escaped if He could; we are rather saying that someone who was close to Him turned on Him. Besides this, of course, we have the opportunity to see what the celebration of the Passover, which we saw instituted in the Day 1 reading, looked like several centuries later. Finally, the Lord, in breaking the bread and pouring the wine, naming them His Body and Blood, makes the connection for us between the Passover Lamb in Exodus, and Himself, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world. He Himself is our Pascha, our Passover, our deliverance from slavery and from death. But there are many other things we can note here.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 1 (Monday)

Exodus 10:21-29; 11:1-10 (Warning of the 10th Plague)

Last time we saw the 9th plague, the Darkness that could be felt, come upon Egypt, and Pharaoh make one more offer of a “bargain” with Yahweh, to let the Israelites go, but to require them to leave their livestock behind. When Moses replied that this was unacceptable, Pharaoh told him to leave his presence and never come back again. Moses agreed that this was the last time Pharaoh would see his face, and from this we understood that the time of warnings was over, and the moment of the judgement of Pharaoh for the enslavement of Israel and the murder of their children was arrived. Today we will see what God told Moses to say to Pharaoh as he left his presence, as the 10th plague is announced.

Warning of the Final Plague

11 The Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go from here; indeed, when he lets you go, he will drive you away. 2 Tell the people that every man is to ask his neighbor and every woman is to ask her neighbor for objects of silver and gold.” 3 The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was a man of great importance in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s officials and in the sight of the people.

4 Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: About midnight I will go out through Egypt. 5 Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the firstborn of the female slave who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the livestock. 6 Then there will be a loud cry throughout the whole land of Egypt, such as has never been or will ever be again.

7 But not a dog shall growl at any of the Israelites—not at people, not at animals—so that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. 8 Then all these officials of yours shall come down to me, and bow low to me, saying, ‘Leave us, you and all the people who follow you.’ After that I will leave.” And in hot anger he left Pharaoh.

9 The Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, in order that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that this reading begins while Moses is still with Pharaoh, and starts by telling us what God says to Moses. Moses then warns Pharaoh of the impending death of the firstborn, and then, when Pharaoh does not relent, he leaves his presence. Then God makes clear to Moses that the purpose of all this is to show to all of Egypt, and to all nations, the glory and the wonders of Yahweh. Thus, in Egypt, a place dedicated to the demon gods who had raised rebellion against their Creator, in a place of darkness and horror, the Lord stands up and abolishes every other power, and delivers His people, and all who are willing to hear Him, from the power of Hell. We should definitely see in all this a prefigurement of the Lord’s Descent into Hades after His crucifixion.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Saint Theophan the Recluse – The Path of Prayer – Sermon 1 – A Personal Rule of Prayer

Last time St. Theophan gave three basic rules for how to pray well, in a way that truly teaches our minds and hearts to pray truly. The first was to prepare for prayer before beginning, the second was to be attentive, not careless, while praying, and the the third was to not go back to normal life immediately after finishing one’s prayers. Today he will give some guidance in how to go about putting these rules into practice.

A Personal Rule of Prayer – 4

So, morning or evening, immediately before you begin to repeat your prayers, first stand for a while, sit for a while, or walk a little. Try to steady your mind, then turn it away from all worldly activities and objects. After this, think of who He is, Him to Whom you turn in prayer. Next, recollect who you are; who it is who is about to start this invocation to Him in prayer. Do this in such a way as to wake in your heart a feeling of humility and reverent awe because you are standing in the presence of God.

All preparation for prayer consists in this reverent standing in the presence of God. To achieve this is a small task, but it is not one to be ignored. It is the beginning of [true] prayer, and a good beginning is half the complete task.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should repeat and emphasize the basic point of preparation, that it is to a) turn away from the world and its concerns, b) to remember Who God is, and c) to be truly present within ourselves as we approach God in prayer. Even the first step, we can say, is a preparation for the other two. We need to be truly present when we are standing before the Lord, truly being ourselves, and recognizing that we are standing before Him. But we can’t do that if our mind is filled with other thoughts and ideas and concerns. So we prepare to prepare by setting aside the things of the world, and then we prepare for prayer by inhabiting ourselves and directing our attention toward the Lord before Whom we stand.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Mark 9:30-50

Last time we saw Jesus come down the mountain after the Transfiguration and heal the boy possessed by demons. The disciples had been unable to cast the demons out of him, but when His father asked Jesus for mercy, and asked the Lord to “help his unbelief/lack of trust/faithlessness,” the Lord delivered the boy. From here Jesus is moving still more quickly toward His passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection, and is continuing to teach His disciples that while they will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven, that greatness is very different from what the world is accustomed to thinking greatness means.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Who Is the Greatest?

33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Another Exorcist

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

Temptations to Sin

42 “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

49 “For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Discussion Questions

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should point out the consistent theme of this passage, that the disciples do not understand the way of the Cross to which Jesus is calling them, even as He goes Himself to the Cross. The lesson of the child and exorcist is that they need to stop focusing on what they are entitled to, on what their authority and power and position will be in the Kingdom of God, and focus simply on being Faithful. Their pride, their desire to be right, to be more on the inside than others, to compete with one another, are all things that He is urging them to cut off, lest these things cause them to stumble and fall into damnation. We should take heed to ourselves in this as well.)

2) What do we learn about God in this story?

3) What do we learn about human beings in this story?

4) What do you find difficult about this story? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always.)

5) Does this story make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 1 (Monday)

Exodus 10:21-29 (Darkness)

Last time we saw the 8th plague come upon Egypt, when Pharaoh still refused to let the people of Israel go. It came as a plague of locusts that covered the land and consumed everything green that was left. For the first time, Pharaoh confessed that he had sinned, and asked Moses to pray to the Lord for mercy for him and his people. Yet again, however, once Yahweh took the locusts away, Pharaoh refused to let the people go. We can see this process is winding down towards the end that God fortold to Moses.

The Ninth Plague: Darkness

21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was dense darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 People could not see one another, and for three days they could not move from where they were; but all the Israelites had light where they lived.

24 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses, and said, “Go, worship the Lord. Only your flocks and your herds shall remain behind. Even your children may go with you.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings to sacrifice to the Lord our God. 26 Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must choose some of them for the worship of the Lord our God, and we will not know what to use to worship the Lord until we arrive there.”

27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was unwilling to let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take care that you do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “Just as you say! I will never see your face again.”

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that, even though, Pharaoh has begun to humble himself somewhat, he has only done so when forced to, and is struggling to hold on to some sort of consolation prize at every stage. Unfortunately for him, this is not repentance, but only a grudging capitulation. He remains a false god and oppressor to the Israelites and to all his people; therefore, Yahweh will overthrow and humiliate his power, and the power of the gods he serves, and from him he claims to have his power. The darkening of the sun, the chief of the Egyptian gods and the one Pharaoh claims to represent, is precisely this, a destruction and humiliation of the power of these false gods. The final plague, then, will strike both for justice, as a recompense for the slaughter of the Hebrew children, and as a blow against the dynasty of the Pharaoh, and his claim to immortality in his heir.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 2 (Wednesday)

Saint Theophan the Recluse – The Path of Prayer – Sermon 1 – A Personal Rule of Prayer

Last time St. Theophan explained how the prayers we have received from the saints and Fathers of the Church, which we use in our personal prayers, are used because they teach our mind and heart and being in what sort of spirit, with what sort of feeling, we should approach God, and in saying their prayers, and forming ourselves around them by paying careful and diligent attention, we begin to partake in the same feeling as they express in their prayers. This time, he will give some practical guidelines for how to approach prayer, and what this careful and diligent attention looks like.

A Personal Rule of Prayer – 3

To transform the way we say our prayers into a real education in prayer, they must be said in such a way that both heart and mind absorb their content. In order that you may achieve this, I will give you three simple instructions:

First, do not start to pray without at least some brief preparation;
Second, do not perform your prayer carelessly, but do so with attention and feeling;
Third, do not return to your usual occupations immediately you have finished praying.

Although prayer is a habitual action for us, it needs preparation. For anyone who knows how to read and write, what is more usual than reading and writing? Yet if we sit down to read or write, we do not do so suddenly. First we get ourselves into the mood for what we are going to do. This kind of preparation is all the more necessary before we start to pray, particularly if immediately beforehand we were occupied with something very different from prayer.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should urge and guide a discussion about what preparation for prayer might look like, and what one might do after finishing praying, but before returning to normal life. A number of good suggestions might come up from the group, but one simple approach is simply to stand in silence, collecting one’s mental attention within one’s self, before and after praying. Doing so even for a few seconds, or perhaps a minute or two, can entirely transform our experience and practice of prayer.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?

Day 3 (Friday)

Mark 9:14-29

Last time we saw Jesus reveal His Divinity to Peter, James, and John up on the mountain, and continue to foretell His suffering, death, and resurrection; we also saw the disciples continue not to understand. This time they will return to the other disciples, who have been approached by a father who is seeking healing for his son. Since Jesus has JUST revealed His Divinity, we know what He can do and is likely going to do, but the disciples and the crowd remain confused and ignorant.

The Healing of a Boy with a Spirit

14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”

17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18 and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.”

19 He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you are able!—All things can be done for the one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” 26 After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. 28 When he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.”

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that this healing should only be expected, since we know that Jesus is God. More than this, it’s important to remember that the word that is here translated “believes” when Jesus says “all things can be done for the one who believes” is better translated as “trusts” or “is faithful.” In short, Jesus is inviting this father to put his trust in Jesus, and to be faithful to Him, not urging him to mental acrobatics of “believing,” as though He were some sort of Tinker Bell. The father’s response “I believe/trust/am faithful, but help my lack of trust/faithlessness” is a good prayer for all of us. Finally, we see here the Lord talk about the value of fasting; some demons, some temptations, some diseases of the soul require fasting for us to be freed from them.)

2) Where do we see Christ in this text; what is He saying or doing here?

3) Do we see ourselves and the Church in this text; what does it say about us?

4) What do you find difficult about this reading? Is there anything confusing about it, or anything that you dislike? (This is an open question, as always. )

5) Does this reading make you think that you need to change anything in your life?