Day 1 (Monday)

1 Kingdoms 4:1b-22 (Ark is Captured, Eli & his sons die)

Last time we saw the Word of the Lord come to Samuel and give him a prophecy about the judgment that was coming upon Eli and his household. We saw Eli ask what the Lord had said, and accept it, and then we saw Samuel continue to grow up, and to become known to all Israel as a faithful prophet of the Lord. This time, we will see what was prophesied come to pass.

The Ark of God Captured

In those days the Philistines mustered for war against Israel, and Israel went out to battle against them; they encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle was joined, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle.

3 When the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord put us to rout today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, so that he may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. 6 When the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid; for they said, “Gods have come into the camp.”

They also said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 9 Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, in order not to become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.”

10 So the Philistines fought; Israel was defeated, and they fled, everyone to his home. There was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Death of Eli

12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line, and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with earth upon his head. 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting upon his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. 14 When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man came quickly and told Eli.

15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set, so that he could not see. 16 The man said to Eli, “I have just come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” He said, “How did it go, my son?” 17 The messenger replied, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great slaughter among the troops; your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate; and his neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

19 Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. When she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth; for her labor pains overwhelmed her. 20 As she was about to die, the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or give heed. 21 She named the child Ichabod, meaning, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

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 what happens here is an event that happens to the people of God at least three times, perhaps more, throughout history, when they abandon God, but still believe themselves to be blessed and chosen and protected, despite their faithlessness; when they believe that they have God in a box, where He is guaranteed to protect them and give them victory, but cease to actually trust in Him or live in faithfulness to Him. When that happens, God forsakes them, either for the sake of judgment in the short term, or correction in the long term, and sometimes both. If this is the first time that the Ark of the Covenant is lost, and the Temple is thus destroyed, in some sense, then the second time is when the Temple is destroyed by Nebuchadnezzer, and the third time is the final destruction of the 2nd Temple in 70 AD, as is prophesied by our Lord before His Passion. In all three cases, God’s people believed that they were guaranteed safety or victory, because they had the Ark, or the Temple, present among them…and in all three cases, God forsook them, because of their faithlessness.)

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 2-6

Last time, we saw St. Theophan begin to discuss how a spirit and reality of prayer throughout the day can be begun by meditation on the things of God, on His attributes and His actions. He offered to us several suggestions for what sort of things we might meditate upon, and how these ought to move our heart and mind and being toward a devotion of our entire day, and all our works, to the Lord, so that we might remain in prayer all day, and not only during our morning & evening prayers. This time, he will suggest to us when we ought to engage in this sort of meditation.

Mental Prayer – 6

The best, most appropriate time for this meditation is the morning, just after morning prayers, when the soul is not yet burdened by a multitude of impressions and cares.

When you have finished your prayers, sit down while your mind is still enlightened by prayer, and begin to reflect about some attribute or action of God: the first day about one, the next day about another. Think about it so that it gives rise to similar attitudes in your own soul. St. Demetrios of Rostov said once: “Come, holy meditation, and lead us to immerse ourselves in reflecting on the great deeds of God.” He would then dwell in his thoughts on God’s plan and His creative actions, or on the miracles and suffering of the Lord our Saviour. In this way, he would move his heart, and so start his soul in an outpouring of prayer.

All of this can be done by everyone. There is no great labour needed, only desire and determination are necessary, and then the fruits will multiply of themselves.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should urge the group to think through in detail how they might implement this in their own lives, how this could fit into their more general discipline of prayer, and perhaps to discuss challenges that might need to be overcome in doing so. It is important to note that St. Theophan is suggesting this specifically in the context of a normal prayer rule, as an appropriate discipline immediately after one finishes with the morning prayers. It doesn’t need to be long, but it fits nicely with what he said in his first sermon, that one should not leave one’s prayers immediately upon finishing 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?

Day 3 (Friday)

Matthew 26:36-75 (Gethsemane, Betrayal, Jesus Brought Before the High Priest)

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

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”

40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.”

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51 Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?”

55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus before the High Priest

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward.

At last two came forward 61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,

From now on you will see the Son of Man
seated at the right hand of Power
and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who is it that struck you?”

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant-girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he went out to the porch, another servant-girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”

73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

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 how this passage compares with last week’s, when we saw Jesus fully in command of the narrative, predicting at each stage what would happen. We even saw how the high priests and Pharisees lost control of the narrative, since they had planned to kill Jesus after the festival ended, but Judas’ betrayal moves matters forward. All of this shows us clearly that the Lord is active, that His agency is not undermined, and that He is doing what He is doing by choice. In all this, His Divinity is revealed. In this week’s reading, however, as we see Him praying in the Garden, deeply grieved, we see His humanity revealed. He is going to His death, and He does so by choice, on purpose, but in His humanity, He does not desire to die. He submits His human will to His divine will, and reveals as well that His divine will is at one with the Father’s, from Whom He is never separated.)

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)

1 Kingdoms 3:1-21; 4:1 (Samuel is Called as God’s Prophet)

Last time we were introduced to the priest at Shiloh, where God’s Tabernacle was, whose name was Eli, and to his sons, who were faithless, greedy, violent, rapacious, and entirely evil. We saw Eli vainly correct his sons, and then we saw a prophet come to warn Eli of God’s judgment that was coming upon him and all his family for their abuse of the authority and responsibility that God had given to them. In the midst of all this, we saw a young boy, Samuel, whose mother and father had dedicated him to the service of the Lord at the Tabernacle, who was growing in wisdom and understanding in the midst of all this evil. This time, we will see the Lord speak to Samuel, and call him to serve as prophet and judge of His people.

Samuel’s Calling and Prophetic Activity

3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; 3 the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” 5 and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6 The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.”

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. 14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”

15 Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” 17 Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”

19 As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

4:1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader can point out many things here, but it is important to draw attention to the fact that Samuel doesn’t just hear a voice when God speaks to him, but that the Lord comes and is present there, standing next to Samuel’s bed. The text says so, in as many words, in verse 10. This is yet another instance in which the Son and Logos of God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, is present and active in the Old Testament, and is even called by that same name: the Word of the Lord. It should be particularly striking to us that, in this case, He is coming to set right what is troubled and twisted in the Tabernacle…here, as in the New Testament, we see the Lord cleansing and purifying the Temple.)

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 2-5

Last time, St. Theophan presented us with the second approach to prayer throughout the day, the active effort to do everything to the glory of God, offering to Him every task, every action, throughout the course of the day. He noted that, if we do this correctly, it would turn us to God at every moment of the day, because we are always doing something, and that if we can begin our day in this way, then we can remain in this state of relationship with God, but ended by introducing the third method, a daily meditation on divine things, which is truly the foundation of both of the other approaches. This is where we pick up today.

Mental Prayer – 5

This mood is induced by meditation on divine things … and this is the third method of training the soul to turn more frequently towards God. Meditation is a reverent reflection on godly attributes and actions, and on what our glimpses of them demand of us. There can be reflection on the Goodness of God; on His Justice, Wisdom, Might, Omnipotence – on His Providence, on His Dispensation to save us through the Incarnation, on His Mercy, on His Word, on the holy Sacraments, on the kingdom of heaven.

Whichever of these aspects forms the basis of your reflections, it will inevitably fill the soul with reverent feelings towards God. You will discover that you are surrounded by God’s mercies, bodily and spiritual. Then, if you are not a stone, you will find it necessary to fall before God – dissolved in humble feelings of gratitude.

If you begin to reflect on the Omnipotence of God, you will realize that nothing in yourself is hidden from His eye. Then you will resolve to be strictly attentive to the movements of your heart and your mind, in order that you should not trespass against the all-seeing God.

If you begin to reflect on the Truth of God, you will be persuaded that not one evil deed will remain unpunished, and so without doubt you will resolve to purify yourself of all your sins by means of heartfelt contrition and penitence before God.

Whatever quality or action of God you think of, if you meditate on it, your soul will fill with reverent feelings and a reverent attitude toward Him. This orients the whole being of a person directly towards God, and so it forms the simplest way to teach the soul how it should rise to Him.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should urge a discussion of what further qualities/actions of God might be helpful subjects for reflection, and how they might help establish us in right relationship with God throughout the course of the day.)

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)

Matthew 26:1-35 (Plot to Kill Jesus, Anointing, Last Supper)

Last time we read from Matthew 23, as Jesus finally denounces the Pharisees, after preaching to them, exhorting them, and disputing with them throughout every other confrontation that we have seen. We noted how this shows God’s judgment on those who have been placed in authority, and have abused that place, and how there is a sadness to the judgment of the Pharisees, because so much of what they taught was actually correct, as Jesus Himself emphasizes, when He tells the people to “do what they say, but not what they do.” After this (in chapters 24 & 25), Jesus left the Temple, and went to the Mount of Olives with His disciples, where He warned them about the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem, and then told them three parables: of the ten Virgins, of the Talents, and of the Last Judgment. We will read all of these in Church in the course of Holy Week, but for the REI, we need to skip ahead to the Last Supper, so that we can arrive at the Crucifixion here during Holy Week, and the Resurrection during Bright Week.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany

6 Now while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8 But when the disciples saw it, they were angry and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this ointment could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has performed a good service for me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 By pouring this ointment on my body she has prepared me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.

The Passover with the Disciples

17 On the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover meal.

20 When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; 21 and while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 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.” 25 Judas, who betrayed him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” He replied, “You have said so.”

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Peter’s Denial Foretold

31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written,

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

32 But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.

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 how every single element of what is coming is told to the disciples before it happens. Jesus tells them that He will be handed over and crucified and buried at the very beginning, and after the woman anoints Him with ointment, He tells them that He will be betrayed while they are eating, He tells them that His blood is being poured out, He tells them that they will desert and deny Him, and He tells them that He will be raised, and will meet them again in Galilee. In all of this, Matthew is being very careful to show us that Jesus goes to His Passion willingly and knowingly; He is in control, doing what He chooses to do, and is not caught/foiled/coerced/constrained/forced. He is an active agent, not a helpless victim, and this is profoundly important.)

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)

1 Kingdoms 2:11-36 (Eli is Denounced)

Last time we read about Deborah, and the time that she judged Israel, and how the Lord delivered His people by the hand of two women, Deborah the judge, and Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, who killed the general of the Canaanite armies as he slept with a wooden tent peg. We will leave the rest of the stories of the judges behind, and move forward to the book of 1 Kingdoms, also known as 1 Samuel, where we will see the last two judges, Eli the priest, and Samuel his successor. Samuel, you may remember, was the son of Hannah and Elkanah her husband; Hannah had been barren, but had prayed to God for a son, and had promised to dedicate that son to the Lord’s service, so after God granted her request, once her son Samuel had been weaned, she brought him to the Tabernacle at Shiloh, where we pick up the story in chapter 2, verse 11.

Eli’s Wicked Sons

11 Then…[Samuel] remained to minister to the Lord, in the presence of the priest Eli.

12 Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord 13 or for the duties of the priests to the people. When anyone offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, 14 and he would thrust it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. 15 Moreover, before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the one who was sacrificing, “Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” 16 And if the man said to him, “Let them burn the fat first, and then take whatever you wish,” he would say, “No, you must give it now; if not, I will take it by force.” 17 Thus the sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord; for they treated the offerings of the Lord with contempt.

The Child Samuel at Shiloh

18 Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 His mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year, when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 20 Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “May the Lord repay you with children by this woman for the gift that she made to the Lord”; and then they would return to their home.

21 And the Lord took note of Hannah; she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

Prophecy against Eli’s Household

22 Now Eli was very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If one person sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the Lord; but if someone sins against the Lord, who can make intercession?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the Lord to kill them.

26 Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and with the people.

27 A man of God came to Eli and said to him, “Thus the Lord has said, ‘I revealed myself to the family of your ancestor in Egypt when they were slaves to the house of Pharaoh. 28 I chose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to offer incense, to wear an ephod before me; and I gave to the family of your ancestor all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. 29 Why then look with greedy eye at my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’

30 Therefore the Lord the God of Israel declares: ‘I promised that your family and the family of your ancestor should go in and out before me forever’; but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be treated with contempt. 31 See, a time is coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your ancestor’s family, so that no one in your family will live to old age. 32 Then in distress you will look with greedy eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed upon Israel; and no one in your family shall ever live to old age. 33 The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep out his eyes and grieve his heart; all the members of your household shall die by the sword.

34 The fate of your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you—both of them shall die on the same day. 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed one forever. 36 Everyone who is left in your family shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread, and shall say, Please put me in one of the priest’s places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.’”

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 highlights what is an unusual reality in the Scripture, as God brings judgment to a specific person and family. We can see a normal pattern, in which God is generally merciful and patient, but His wrath comes strongly upon those who He has placed in positions of authority, who have then abused that authority. It is this sort of judgment that we are seeing in this passage, as Eli the priest, and his sons, and all their household, are disinherited from the service of the Lord, and the priesthood is given to a different household of the descendants of Aaron. We should note that the prophecy in verse 35, where God promises to raise up a faithful high priest, is fulfilled in the time of King David, when Zadok, a descendant of Aaron’s son Eleazar, rather than Ithamar, from whom Eli is descended, becomes the high priest. We should note, as well, that the Sadduccees, who we have been seeing in the New Testament, are claiming to be descendants of Zadok, but that they are not, in fact. The true descendant of Zadok at the time of Christ is, in fact, John the Baptist, and thus we can see the prophecy that ends this passage fulfilled twice, once at the time of King David, and the second time in perfection with John the Baptist heralding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.)

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 2-4

Last time we saw St. Theophan’s initial advice about how to bring prayer out of the limited space of morning and evening prayers, and into our everyday pasttimes by calling out to God as we face each task and challenge of the day. We saw, especially, how he urged that we should not just pray in word, but in truth, earnestly seeking the Lord’s help and mercy in everything that we face. This time, he will give us a second way in which we may bring prayer into every moment of our lives.

Mental Prayer – 4

But before we can make the soul appeal to God in this way, it first must be made to turn everything to the glory of God: to attribute to Him our every activity, large or small. This is the second method: this is how to teach the soul to turn to God as often as possible during the day. If we give ourselves the task of fulfilling the apostolic commandment, to do everything to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) – even eating and drinking – then we will inevitably remember God whatever we do … and this not simply, but with circumspection, taking care that we do not act wrongly and do not trespass against God in any deed.

In turn, this will make us turn to God in fear, and to beg for His help and enlightenment. Then, because we are almost constantly doing something or other, we will find ourselves almost constantly turning to God in prayer – and in this we will be constantly practicing the art of uplifting the soul prayerfully towards God. But so that the soul may do this as it should – doing all things to the glory of God – it must be directed towards this from early morning onwards; from the very beginning of the day, before you go about your everyday business. Then it may last until evening.

This mood is induced by meditation on divine things … and this is the third method of training the soul to turn more frequently towards God. Meditation is a reverent reflection on godly attributes and actions, and on what our glimpses of them demand of us. There can be reflection on the Goodness of God; on His Justice, Wisdom, Might, Omnipotence – on His Providence, on His Dispensation to save us through the Incarnation, on His Mercy, on His Word, on the holy Sacraments, on the kingdom of heaven.

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 distinction between the 1st method, from last week, and this 2nd method; the 1st is a matter of what we say to God at each moment of the day, while the 2nd is a matter of how we understand our daily pasttimes. Either path leads to the other; if we can remember to verbally offer every moment to God, then we will come to see every moment as belonging to Him. But if we can change our way of thinking about our lives, and offer everything we do, and everything we are, to Him, then we will naturally cry out to Him in prayer at every moment of our day. The issue, of course, is that it is actually difficult to “flip a switch” in our way of thinking, and it is difficult to remember to call out to God all day long, so we also see the introduction to the third method, which we will discuss more next week.)

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)

Matthew 23:1-39 (Jesus Denounces the Scribes and Pharisees)

Last time we saw Jesus face the Pharisees and Sadducees as they confronted Him in the Temple, and turn aside every effort they made to humiliate Him or to get Him in trouble with the Romans. This time, as they remain determinedly opposed to Him, we will see Him finally denounce them to the people.

Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees

23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 6 They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi.

8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. For you do not go in yourselves, and when others are going in, you stop them. 15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land to make a single convert, and you make the new convert twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the sanctuary is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by the oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar is bound by nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on the altar is bound by the oath.’ 19 How blind you are! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it; 21 and whoever swears by the sanctuary, swears by it and by the one who dwells in it; 22 and whoever swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by the one who is seated upon it.

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may become clean.

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. 28 So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous, 30 and you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Thus you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your ancestors.

33 You snakes, you brood of vipers! How can you escape being sentenced to hell? 34 Therefore I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.

The Lament over Jerusalem

37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you, desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

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 we have not really seen Jesus speak about the Pharisees in this way before. We have seen Him criticize them when they attacked Him, and we have seen Him preach to them in parables, demonstrating to them their foolishness in rejecting the very Messiah for whom they have been waiting and working. But here, as they persist in rejection of Him, He reveals the fullness of their hypocrisy, their fixation on money, their contentment with outward righteousness, even as they remain unwilling to actually address the inner sin. It is interesting to connect this passage with the denunciation of Eli and his sons in our Day 1 reading; it is those who have been entrusted with authority by God who are called to account most strictly, because when they sin, they abuse God’s gift for their own ends, and exploit those God entrusted to their care.)

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)

Judges 4:1-24 (Deborah & Barak)

Last time we saw a summary of what happened with the children of Israel after the death of Joshua and the others of his generation, and how the people strayed from the Lord and worshipped other gods, and practiced their evil deeds, and how the Lord gave them over to the domination of the peoples of Canaan, until they repented, at which point He sent them judges to lead them and to bring them deliverance. We can see from the beginning of the passage below that there have already been a few of these judges, and that the cycle is continuing as described; this time, we see something unusual, as the judge who leads Israel at this time is a woman!

Deborah and Barak

4 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. 3 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years.

4 At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. 7 I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.’”

8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and ten thousand warriors went up behind him; and Deborah went up with him.

11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the other Kenites, that is, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had encamped as far away as Elon-bezaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

12 When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, 13 Sisera called out all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the troops who were with him, from Harosheth-ha-goiim to the Wadi Kishon. 14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day on which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. The Lord is indeed going out before you.” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand warriors following him. 15 And the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and all his army into a panic before Barak; Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot, 16 while Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-ha-goiim. All the army of Sisera fell by the sword; no one was left.

17 Now Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between King Jabin of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite. 18 Jael came out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; have no fear.” So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. 19 Then he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink; for I am thirsty.” So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him.

20 He said to her, “Stand at the entrance of the tent, and if anybody comes and asks you, ‘Is anyone here?’ say, ‘No.’” 21 But Jael wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went down into the ground—he was lying fast asleep from weariness—and he died. 22 Then, as Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went into her tent; and there was Sisera lying dead, with the tent peg in his temple.

23 So on that day God subdued King Jabin of Canaan before the Israelites. 24 Then the hand of the Israelites bore harder and harder on King Jabin of Canaan, until they destroyed King Jabin of Canaan.

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 Barak, although he is granted the victory, is not really the example of faithful trust in God that we would like to see. He seems rather to be an exemplar of the sort of problems that we are hearing about throughout this portion of the Bible; despite God’s mercies to His people, despite His wonders, they actively doubt His faithfulness, and are hesitant to put themselves out there and obey His commandments. It is worth reflecting on what sort of example Barak sets for us, and what sort of example Deborah and Jael set for us, and what it looks like for us to entrust ourselves to the Lord in a more faithful manner.)

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 2-3

Last time, St. Theophan observed that many people approach prayer as a limited discipline, reserved only for the morning or evening, and that as a result, even if they are granted some warmth or fervor or softness of heart in their morning prayers, they then allow that grace to be extinguished by the many other cares that they encounter throughout the rest of the day. Theophan does not believe that this is inevitable or necessary, and urges that we should actually turn our life toward the Lord at all times of day, and not just in the morning and evening.

Mental Prayer – 3

To achieve this, it is necessary to begin – as often as possible during the day – by calling out to God from the heart in short words, according to one’s needs and in ways appropriate to the events around you.

For example, whenever you begin something, say: “O Lord, bless us.” On completing a task, say: “Glory be to Thee, O Lord.” And do not only say these things with the tongue, but from the heart, with real feeling.

When passions rise in you, say: “Save me, Lord, or I perish.” When the darkness of confusing thoughts begins to overcome you, call out: “Lead my soul out of imprisonment.”

If you are attracted to an action that seems wrong, pray that He: “Direct me back to the path, O Lord,” or “do not let my steps be confused.”

If sins oppress you and plunge you into despair, call out with the voice of the publican: “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner…” Act in this way in every situation. Or you can simply say, as often as possible: “Lord have mercy.” “Holy Mother of God, have mercy on me.” “God’s angel, my holy guardian, protect me.” Or make your appeal in other similar words. But do this as often as possible, always trying in every way to be sure that each appeal comes from the heart, just as if it was actually squeezed from it. If you do this, you will frequently manage to consciously raise your heart to God, you will frequently turn to Him, you will pray frequently … and this persistent repetition will end by forming in you the habit of conscious conversation with God.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should encourage a further discussion of what sort of circumstances we might face in the course of a normal day, and how we might turn our hearts and minds and lives toward the Lord in those moment…both what sort of words we might say, and what sort of feelings we might direct toward God, so that our prayers throughout the day may be genuine, truly from the heart.)

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)

Matthew 22:15-46 (Jesus Humbles Pharisees & Sadducees)

Last time we saw Jesus speak to the high priests and the Pharisees with three parables that showed forth their rejection of Him, and urged them to lay aside their stubbornness and hardness of heart: the parable of the two sons, the parable of the wicked tenants, and the parable of the wedding banquet. Their response was rather to seek another path toward regaining the upper hand, as we will see here as they try to get Him in trouble with the Romans.

The Question about Paying Taxes

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. 16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?”

18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

The Question about the Resurrection

23 The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, 24 “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother. 26 The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh. 27 Last of all, the woman herself died. 28 In the resurrection, then, whose wife of the seven will she be? For all of them had married her.”

29 Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astounded at his teaching.

The Greatest Commandment

34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, 35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

The Question about David’s Son

41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: 42 “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

45 If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

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 terms of the conversation have changed. Last time, Jesus was preaching TO the high priests and the Pharisees, and they heard Him and rejected Him. This time, they are coming to Him, pretending to treat Him with respect, but trying rather to trap Him, either to bring the anger of the Romans down on Him, or to make Him look foolish in front of the people. In all cases, this backfires, and then, at the end, He addresses the Pharisees once again, showing them how their reasoning about the Messiah is faulty, and how they should actually be expecting a Messiah Who is both the Son of David and also greater than David. They are unable to refute Him…but they are not convinced by Him either.)

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?