Day 1 (Monday)

Proverbs 10:1-32 (A wise child makes a glad father)

As we begin the final third of 2023, we will pause for one more week from our normal narrative readings, and return once again to the Book of Proverbs. This book, written by a father seeking to provide good guidance to his son, and by extension to all of us, directs us to walk the narrow path of faithfulness, avoiding the common temptations and holding fast to the Lord in all things. It is a good reminder of the essential responsibilities of parents to their children, and of children to their parents. Note: The last chapter that we read, in January of this year, was Proverbs 6, which we ended before the end, as it moved into specific warnings against the dangers of adultery, and of those who would seduce the innocent to evil. This is not something to read at the dinner table, but parents of teenagers may wish to consider reading Proverbs 6:25-35 & Proverbs 7 with their children, or reading it themselves and then sharing relevant elements with their young people. Proverbs 8 & 9 are not inappropriate for reading, but deal with the figure of Wisdom, and we will read this passage at another time.

Wise Sayings of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise child makes a glad father,
but a foolish child is a mother’s grief.
2 Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death.
3 The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4 A slack hand causes poverty,
but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
5 A child who gathers in summer is prudent,
but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.

6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise of heart will heed commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
but the one who rebukes boldly makes peace.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.
13 On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but one who rejects a rebuke goes astray.

18 Lying lips conceal hatred,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but the prudent are restrained in speech.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the mind of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.

22 The blessing of the Lord makes rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
23 Doing wrong is like sport to a fool,
but wise conduct is pleasure to a person of understanding.
24 What the wicked dread will come upon them,
but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the tempest passes, the wicked are no more,
but the righteous are established forever.

26 Like vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes,
so are the lazy to their employers.
27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
but the years of the wicked will be short.
28 The hope of the righteous ends in gladness,
but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.

29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold for the upright,
but destruction for evildoers.
30 The righteous will never be removed,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

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 basic pattern of this chapter, in which the righteous are contrasted with the wicked, the wise with the foolish, the diligent with the lazy, and all of these things come from the instruction of a parent. It is therefore important that parents teach their children to be righteous, and wise, and diligent, not just by words, but by their actions and example.)

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)

Epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians (translated by Roberts-Donaldson)

Last time we read the introduction of St. Clement’s Letter to the Church in Corinth, as he praised them for their habitual virtue and faithfulness, and then began to address their fall, which he attributes to certain young and subversive people, and yet holds the community at large responsible, suggesting that they have grown complacent and entitled, and have thus fallen away. We will see him go into more detail, and specifically attribute the problems in the community to envy, drawing upon examples from Scripture.

Letter of Clement to the Corinthians: Chapters 4-6

CHAPTER 4 — MANY EVILS HAVE ALREADY FLOWED FROM THIS SOURCE IN ANCIENT TIMES.

For thus it is written: "And it came to pass after certain days, that Cain brought of the fruits of the earth a sacrifice to God; and Abel also brought of the firstlings of his sheep, and of the fat thereof. And God had respect to Abel and to his offerings, but Cain and his sacrifices He did not regard. And Cain was deeply grieved, and his countenance fell. And God said to Cain, Why are you grieved, and why is your countenance fallen? If you offer rightly, but do not divide rightly, have you not sinned? Be at peace: your offering returns to yourself, and you shall again possess it. And Cain said to Abel his brother, Let us go into the field. And it came to pass, while they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him."

You see, brethren, how envy and jealousy led to the murder of a brother. Through envy, also, our father Jacob fled from the face of Esau his brother. Envy made Joseph be persecuted unto death, and to come into bondage. Envy compelled Moses to flee from the face of Pharaoh king of Egypt, when he heard these words from his fellow countryman, "Who made you a judge or a ruler over us? Will you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" On account of envy, Aaron and Miriam had to make their home outside of the camp. Envy brought down Dathan and Abiram alive to Hades, through the sedition which they excited against God's servant Moses. Through envy, David underwent the hatred not only of foreigners, but was also persecuted by Saul king of Israel.

CHAPTER 5 — NO LESS EVILS HAVE ARISEN FROM THE SAME SOURCE IN THE MOST RECENT TIMES. THE MARTYRDOM OF PETER AND PAUL.

But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours, and when he had finally suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him.

Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.

CHAPTER 6 — CONTINUATION. SEVERAL OTHER MARTYRS.

To these men who spent their lives in the practice of holiness, there is to be added a great multitude of the elect, who, having through envy endured many indignities and tortures, furnished us with a most excellent example. Through envy, those women, the Danaids and Dircae, being persecuted, after they had suffered terrible and unspeakable torments, finished the course of their faith with steadfastness, and though weak in body, received a noble reward. Envy has alienated wives from their husbands, and changed that saying of our father Adam, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." Envy and strife have overthrown great cities and rooted up mighty nations.

The translation is taken from the following website: http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html

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 envy is the great sin against which St. Clement is warning the Corinthians, as he marshals many examples from Scripture to show the harm that envy does, on the one hand, and the opportunity for a faithful witness in the face of envy, on the other. It is worth reflecting on what we know of the martyrdoms of Sts. Peter and Paul, and what envy had to do with their martyrdom, as the connection is not necessarily an obvious one. As for the reference to “Danaids & Dircae,” this seems to be a euphemism for a particularly brutal torture and death suffered by Christian women martyrs, using classical mythology to express the means of their martyrdom.)

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 12:38-50; 13:1-9 (The Sign of Jonah, Return of the Unclean Spirit, True Kindred of Jesus, & Parable of the Sower)

Last time, we saw the Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with Beelzebul, a Jewish name for Baal, the Canaanite god usually considered to be the identity of Satan, and of casting out demons by his power. Jesus refuted this accusation, and warned them that, while they could criticize Him, their time for repentance was running out, and there were not many opportunities left to them before they would have completely cut themselves off from the grace of God. They continue in conversation with Him, and as we will see here, they demand to see a sign from Him, as proof that they should listen to Him.

The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. 41 The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here! 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!

The Return of the Unclean Spirit

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.”

The True Kindred of Jesus

46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!”

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 Jesus is continuing to warn the Pharisees of the consequences of their rejection and denial of Him; when they demand a sign, He tells them that they will indeed see a sign, but that others far more sinful than they will enter the Kingdom before them, because they have already repented through the signs that Jesus has done already, but the Pharisees persist in demanding further proof, which they will only reject, as they have already done to Jesus, despite the many signs that He has done. Beyond this, it is worth noting that this brief parable about the evil spirit that returns to the man, and even the parable of the Sower, are told in the context of this confrontation with the Pharisees. He is continuing to warn them that there are consequences to refusing Him, that if they cast Him away, or do not receive His words, then they will be left bereaved of life and fruit and hope.)

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 7:3 – 17 (Israel Repents Under Samuel)

The last two weeks, we have taken a break from our journey through Samuel’s time as judge of the Israelites in the Promised Land, and have instead read two psalms that are significant to the Holy Week and Bright Week celebrations that we have just completed. This week, we will return to the story, after the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant to Israel, and many Israelites ended up dying because of their carelessness and faithfulness in welcoming it back. The last thing that we saw were the first two verses of I Kingdoms/I Samuel chapter 7, in which the Ark ended up in the care of a certain Abinadab, and the Israelites began to “lament after the Lord.” We will re-read these verses, and then continue the rest of the chapter.

Israel Repents Under Samuel

7 1 And the people of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord, and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. They consecrated his son, Eleazar, to have charge of the ark of the Lord.

2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.

Samuel as Judge

3 Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from among you. Direct your heart to the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So Israel put away the Baals and the Astartes, and they served the Lord only.

5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted that day, and said, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.

7 When the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 The people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, and pray that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a sucking lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord; Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him.

10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel; but the Lord thundered with a mighty voice that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion; and they were routed before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and struck them down as far as beyond Beth-car.

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel; the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The towns that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.

15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 He went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would come back to Ramah, for his home was there; he administered justice there to Israel, and built there an altar to 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 this is the first victory that we have seen the Israelites win against the Philistines; or rather, this is the first time that they have actually turned to the Lord, and therefore, the Lord Himself now fights for Israel, and drives the Philistines before them. This is the same pattern as in the book of Judges, and it makes the same important point; Israel is God’s people, and He gives them victory when they are faithful, and withdraws His protection when they are unfaithful. The pattern, however, is about to change, as when Samuel becomes old, the people will ask for a king, and this sets in motion the chain of events that ends with the anointing of King David. We will read from the book of Proverbs next time, and then will resume with that story.)

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)

Epistle of St. Clement to the Corinthians (translated by Roberts-Donaldson)

As we begin the final third of this year, as we have before, we will select a longer text from the Church’s tradition to read through. In the first year, we read the Didache & Epistle of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians, and in the second year, we read the 1st Apology of St. Justin Martyr. This year, we will read the Epistle of St. Clement to the Church in Corinth, which is a letter from one of the early leaders of the Church in Rome to the Church in Corinth on the occasion of a disruption in church order and unity in Corinth. It is generally dated to the last 20 years of the 1st century, and is a window for us into the actual life of the first generation of Christians after the death of the Apostles. The translation is taken from the following website: http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html

Letter of Clement to the Corinthians: Chapters 1-3

CHAPTER 1 — SALUTATION, AND PRAISE FOR THE CORINTHIANS BEFORE SCHISM BROKE FORTH AMONG THEM.

The Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, to those who are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be multiplied.

Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury.

For who ever dwelt even for a short time among you, and did not find your faith to be as fruitful of virtue as it was firmly established? Who did not admire the sobriety and moderation of your godliness in Christ? Who did not proclaim the magnificence of your habitual hospitality? And who did not rejoice over your perfect and well-grounded knowledge? For you did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the commandments of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and giving all fitting honour to the presbyters among you.

You enjoined young men to be of a sober and serious mind; you instructed your wives to do all things with a blameless, becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound; and you taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect marked by discretion.

CHAPTER 2 — PRAISE OF THE CORINTHIANS CONTINUED.

Moreover, you were all distinguished by humility, and were in no respect puffed up with pride, but yielded obedience rather than extorted it, and were more willing to give than to receive? Content with the provision which God had made for you, and carefully attending to His words, you were inwardly filled with His doctrine, and His sufferings were before your eyes. Thus a profound and abundant peace was given to you all, and you had an insatiable desire for doing good, while a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit was upon you all. Full of holy designs, and with true earnestness of mind and a godly confidence, you stretched forth your hands to God Almighty, beseeching Him to be merciful to you, if you had been guilty of any involuntary transgression.

Day and night you were anxious for the whole brotherhood, that the number of God's elect might be saved with mercy and a good conscience. You were sincere and uncorrupted, and forgetful of injuries between one another. Every kind of faction and schism was abominable in your sight. You mourned over the transgressions of your neighbours: their deficiencies you deemed your own. You never grudged any act of kindness, being "ready to every good work." Adorned by a thoroughly virtuous and religious life, you did all things in the fear of God. The commandments and ordinances of the Lord were written upon the tablets of your hearts.

CHAPTER 3 — THE SAD STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH AFTER SEDITION AROSE IN IT FROM ENVY AND EMULATION.

Every kind of honour and happiness was bestowed upon you, and then was fulfilled that which is written, "My beloved ate and drink, and was enlarged and became fat, and kicked” (Deuteronomy 32:15, a reference to Israel). Hence flowed emulation and envy, strife and sedition, persecution and disorder, war and captivity. So the worthless rose up against the honoured, those of no reputation against such as were renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against those advanced in years. For this reason righteousness and peace are now far departed from you, inasmuch as every one abandons the fear of God, and is become blind in His faith, neither walks in the ordinances of His appointment, nor acts a part becoming a Christian, but walks after his own wicked lusts, resuming the practice of an unrighteous and ungodly envy, by which death itself entered into the world.

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 Church in Corinth had experienced great difficulty previously, during the life of St. Paul, and it was because of this that he had written two substantial letters to them. Apparently the issue had been resolved at that time (probably sometime between A.D. 40 & 60), but another problem has arisen, and seems to involve younger members of the community. The Church in Corinth had apparently written to the Church in Rome, asking for guidance and assistance in resolving the conflict, but the response was delayed, due to an intensification of persecution in Rome itself. This introduction is setting the stage for what Clement has to say to the Corinthians, so we will see more in weeks to come.)

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 12:22-37 (Jesus Accused of Alliance with Satan)

Back in week 24, in mid-February, we saw Jesus in conflict with the Pharisees, who criticized His disciples for plucking stalks of grain to eat on the Sabbath, and then criticized Jesus for healing the man with the withered hand in the synagogue. Jesus therefore went away from there, and the crowds followed Him; what we will see here is that, although He was not seeking conflict with the Pharisees, but rather avoiding it by leaving the place where they had criticized Him, they are now following Him, and continuing to find fault with Him, regardless of the good that He was doing. This process will, of course, culminate in His confrontation with and denunciation of them in the Temple, as we read a few weeks ago, but for now, He is still avoiding this conflict.

Jesus and Beelzebul

12:22 Then they brought to him a demoniac who was blind and mute; and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see. 23 All the crowds were amazed and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this fellow casts out the demons.” 25 He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property, without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

A Tree and Its Fruit

33 “Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

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 Jesus is showing them that they are calling what is clearly a good thing, clearly from God, an evil, rejecting God’s very presence among them, and denouncing the miracles as the work of demons. His point to them, about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is simply saying that, if we as human beings reject God’s work of salvation in us, we cannot expect some other salvation to come to us afterward. There is no other hope left to us. Such rejection is difficult, perhaps impossible, to accomplish in a single moment, with a single sin; it is rather a matter of habitual, consistent rejection of the Lord and His mercy and love. It is to such a rejection that the demons tempt us, to such a rejection that our sins tend, if we refuse to repent and to turn toward the Lord. But it is not easily done. We should not give in to despair of God's ever forgiving us…the ability to regret our sins by itself shows that we are not lost. But neither should we become complacent, and simply plan to repent at a later date, after we have "enjoyed" whatever sins seem to appeal to us. The danger is strong that, when the time comes to repent, we will no longer desire to do so.)

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)

Psalm 67 (68 in Protestant/Catholic Bibles)- Let God Arise

Christ is Risen! Last week we read Psalm 68, which is a prayer to God in time of trouble, and discussed its connection to the Lord’s Passion, Crucifixion, and Death. This week, we will read the Psalm from which we take the verses that precede the singing of “Christ is Risen” in our Paschal celebrations.

Psalm 67 – Let God Arise

1 Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered; Let those who hate Him flee from before His face. 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as max melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.

4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him Who rides upon the heavens; His name is the Lord, and rejoice before Him. 5 A father of the orphans, and a judge of the widows is God in His holy habitation. 6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those that are bound with chains; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

7 O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness, 8 The earth shook; The heavens also dropped water at the presence of God; Even Sinai was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance, when it was weary; But You did refresh it. 10 And Your people dwelt in it; You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor. 11 The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those that proclaimed it:

12 Kings of the armies flee speedily, they flee, and she who remained at home divided the spoil. 13 Though You lie down among your possessions, Yet you will be like the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. 14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white like snow in Zalmon. 15 The mountain of God is a rich mountain. 16 Why do you conceive evil? This is the mountain which God desires to dwell in; Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever.

17 The chariots of God are ten thousand fold, even thousands of angels; The Lord is among them as in Sinai, in His holy Place. 18 You have ascended on high; You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts for men; Even for those who were rebellious and doubted, that You might dwell among them.

19 Blessed by the Lord God, Who daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. 20 Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death. 21 But God shall wound the head of His enemies, the hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses. 22 The Lord said, “I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring My people back from the depths of the sea, 23 That Your foot may crush them in blood, and the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies.”

24 They have seen Your procession, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. 25 The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; Among them were the maidens playing with timbrels. 26 Bless God in the assemblies, the Lord from the fountain of Israel. 27 There is little Benjamin, with their leader, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zabulun and the princes of Naphtali. 28 Your God has commanded your strength; Strengthen, O God, what You have done for us.

29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, kings will bring presents to You. 30 Rebuke the company of the spearmen, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples, till every one submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God.

32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth; Oh, sing praises to the Lord. 33 To Him Who rides on the heaven of heavens eastward; Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe strength to God; His glory is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds. 35 Wonderful is God in His saints, the God of Israel; He Who gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God!

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 reflection on this Psalm as simultaneously a celebration of God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt in the first Pascha/Passover, and as a prophetic and deeper celebration of His deliverance of all nations and peoples from sin and death and Hades in this glorious Pascha of the Lord which we are celebrating.)

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

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

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)

Metropolitan Anthony Bloom on Humanity as an Icon of Christ

Metropolitan Anthony Bloom was the son of Russian emigres following the Russian Revolution in the early 20th century. He grew up in France, and lived through the Nazi occupation of the country, working as a doctor, participating in the French Resistance, all as a secretly tonsured monastic. After the war, he was ordained a priest, and sent to serve a community in England, where he was eventually consecrated as a bishop. He is known and loved as a prayerful, pastoral, and holy hierarch, and many believe him to be a saint. He fell asleep in the Lord in 2003.

Metropolitan Anthony Bloom on Humanity as an Icon of Christ

Unless we look at a person and see the beauty there is in this person, we can contribute nothing to him. One does not help a person by discerning what is wrong, what is ugly, what is distorted. Christ looked at everyone he met, at the prostitute, at the thief, and saw the beauty hidden there. Perhaps it was distorted, perhaps damaged, but it was beauty none the less, and what he did was to call out this beauty.

In France one speaks of 'la ville d'Ys', the city of Ys, which, because of the simpleness of the surrounding world, disappeared in the depth of a lake. Only people with a pure heart can see this city through the waters of the lake and hear the sound of its bells. This is what we must learn to do with regard to others. But to do so we must first have a purity of heart, a purity of intention, an openness which is not always there – certainly not in me – so that we can listen, can look, and can see the beauty which is hidden.

Every one of us is in the image of God, and every one of us is like a damaged icon. But if we were given an icon damaged by time, damaged by circumstances, or desecrated by human hatred, we would treat it with reverence, with tenderness, with broken-heartedness. We would not pay attention primarily to the fact that it is damaged, but to the tragedy of its being damaged. We would concentrate on what is left of its beauty, and not on what is lost of its beauty.

And this is what we must learn to do with regard to each person as an individual, but also – and this is not always as easy – with regard to groups of people, whether it be a parish or a denomination, or a nation. We must learn to look, and look until we have seen the underlying beauty of this group of people. Only then can we even begin to do something to call out all the beauty that is there. Listen to other people, and whenever you discern something which sounds true, which is a revelation of harmony and beauty, emphasize it and help it to flower. Strengthen it and encourage it to live.

–Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh (source: https://college-ethics.blogspot.com/2009/12/metropolitan-anthony-of-sourozh.html)

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 Metropolitan Anthony is suggesting we should treat people, even people that we dislike, even people that are cruel to us. This is a clear, if challenging, instruction for how we can go about loving our enemies, and how we must do so, if we are truly to be the Christians that we are called to be.)

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 28:1-20 (Resurrection, Great Commission)

We have been reading the latter chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, leading up to the Lord’s Passion and Death, which we read last week, as we began Holy Week. This week, Bright Week, or more properly and fully, this Week of the New Creation, we will read St. Matthew’s account of the Lord’s Resurrection, and of His meeting with His disciples in Galilee.

The Resurrection of Jesus

28 After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.”

8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Report of the Guard

11 While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders, they devised a plan to give a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 telling them, “You must say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story is still told among the Jews to this day.

The Commissioning of the Disciples

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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 final passage here is often called the Great Commission in the West, and is taken as the Lord’s commandment to do the work of evangelism, of proclaiming the Gospel everywhere. It is good to know what this is referring to, and to discuss what this looks like for the Church, both throughout history, and in the present day. It is also worth noting that the word “some” in verse 17 is not present in the Greek text, and to discuss how this changes the meaning of the passage.)

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)

Psalm 68 (69 in Protestant/Catholic Bibles)- Save me, O God!

In our Old Testament readings up to this point, we have been reading about Abraham’s journey of faithfulness to God, and have seen God’s faithfulness to him, in giving Isaac to him and to Sarah, and then we have seen God’s faithfulness to Isaac’s descendants, the children of Israel, as he brings them into the Promised Land, and cares for them. We have seen Him give them great blessings when they are faithful, and we have seen Him discipline them as His own children when they stray, through the time of the judges. This time ends with the establishment of the kingdom of Israel, first under King Saul, and then, finally, under God’s servant David, a “man after God’s own heart.” David wasn’t just a king, but was also a poet, a man of song and a man of prayer, and in his poetic prayers, which are collected in the book of Psalms, we see how his prayers are prophetic as well. Today we will read a prayer for a time of trouble…you may recognize some of the words.

Psalm 69
Prayer for Deliverance from Persecution
A Psalm of David. To the Chief Musician

1 Save me, O God, for the waters have come up into my soul.
2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing;
3 I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
3 I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry.
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.
5 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head;
6 They that would destroy me, being my enemies wrongfully, are mighty; Though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it.

5 O God, you know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from you.
6 Let not them that wait on You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

9 Because for Your sake I have born reproach; Shame has covered my face.
10 I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children;
11 For zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
12 When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that became my reproach.
13 I made sackcloth also my garment; I became a proverb to them.
14 They that sit in the gate speak against me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

15 But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time;
16 O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation.
17 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the deep waters.
18 Let not the flood-water overflow me, nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.

19 Hear me, O Lord, for Your loving kindness is good; Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.
20 Turn not Your face away from Your servant, for I am in trouble; Hear me speedily.
21 Draw near to my soul and redeem it; From my many enemies ransom me.

22 You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor;
23 My adversaries are all before You; Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness;
24 I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.
25 They also gave Me gall for my meat, and for My thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

26 Let their table become a snare before them, and their well-being a trap.
27 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see; And make their loins continually to shake.
28 Pour out Your indignation upon them, and let Your wrathful anger take hold of them.
29 Let their habitation be desolate; Let no one dwell in their tents.
30 For they persecute him whom You have smitten, and talk of the grief of those You have wounded.
31 Add iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not come into Your righteousness.
32 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

33 But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
34 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
35 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves.
36 The humble shall see this and be glad; and your hearts shall live who seek God.
37 For the Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners.

38 Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves therein.
39 For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and have it in possession.
40 The seed also of His servants shall inherit it, and they that love His name shall dwell in it.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (Leader should note that this Psalm is read at the beginning of the Ninth Hour in the Royal Hours on Holy Friday, the service that we read and sing before the Lord as He hangs upon the Cross. It resonates strongly with the narrative of the Lord’s Passion, most particularly at verse 25, when it speaks of being given gall to drink, and vinegar for his thirst, which of course is exactly what we see during the Lord’s crucifixion. Verses 9-13 are significant as well, as the Lord, too, is become a stranger to His countrymen, and zeal for the house of God has consumed Him. We note, too, that the Psalm ends in hope, with the assurance that the Lord will restore those who wait upon Him; but also, we see a change; in verses 26-32, David cries out for justice on those who have troubled him, but of course, the Lord cries out in forgiveness for those who have persecuted Him, and we know that many who took part in the crucifixion, or who forsook Him during His Passion, came to repentance and salvation after the fact. But we also know that many refused to repent, and that judgment and desolation did come upon the proud and the unjust in Jerusalem, some 40 years after the Lord’s crucifixion. May we be delivered from such a just recompense, and always walk in the mercy of the Lord Who is crucified for 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 2 (Wednesday)

Saint Theophan the Recluse – The Path of Prayer – Sermon 2

Last time we saw St. Theophan sum up his sermon, emphasizing the three disciplines that can support prayer throughout the day: the meditation on the things of God after morning prayers each day, the dedication of every task and every moment to God, and the verbal calling out to God for help throughout the day. This time, we will see him conclude his sermon with a final reminder and exhortation.

Mental Prayer – 8

Our soul is made to live in the mountainous world of God. That is where it should always dwell, both in thought and in heart. But the weight of worldly thoughts and passions attracts it and draws it downwards. The methods given here will detach it step by step from the earth, and in the end will detach it permanently. When this happens, the soul will enter its own proper sphere and will dwell blissfully in the heights. In feeling as well as in thought, and later in its very essence, it will be deemed worthy to stand before the face of God and dwell with the angels and the saints.

May the Lord in His goodness grant this to you all.

Amen.

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 St. Theophan is describing is the state in which we find ourselves; we are pulled down and in every other direction by the desires and distractions of this world, and yet none of them comfort or satisfy us. We are created for communion with God, but we cannot be in communion with Him if our hands and hearts and lives are filled with other things. So we must learn to turn away from the things of this world, and to rise in prayer to the relationship with God for which we are created.)

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 27:27-66 (Jesus is Flogged, Mocked, Crucified, & Buried)

Last week we read St. Matthew’s account of the Lord’s trial before Pilate, as the religious authorities of Jerusalem sought to remove Jesus as a threat by accusing Him of claiming to be the Messiah, the king of the Jews, which would make Him a threat to the Romans. Pilate was suspicious of their accusations, but when the mob demanded that Jesus be crucified, he acquiesced, and handed Jesus over to be beaten by his soldiers and then crucified. In this reading, then, we will see the Lord go to the Cross and to His life-giving death, even as we enter into the services and commemorations of Holy Week.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” 44 The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

The Death of Jesus

45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”

50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

55 Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.

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 connection points between St. Matthew’s account of the Lord’s passion, and the Psalm which we read on Day 1. It is worth noting, as well, that although Matthew has provided us throughout his gospel with explicit references to the prophecies which the Lord is fulfilling in the course of His ministry, he leaves those comments aside here; the references are present, and we can connect the events that he describes with the Psalms and the prophets that are referenced, but he leaves the connections for us to make. It has a strange effect on us, since we have become accustomed to Matthew’s voice explaining what is happening to us, and here he steps back and simply tells the story. It may be that he does this because he intends that effect…or it may be that he considers it unnecessary to explain what prophecies are being fulfilled, as we know from other places in Scripture and the Church’s tradition that these connections were frequently and commonly discussed and emphasized in the life of the early Church. The matter-of-fact reference to the immediate Resurrection of many is notable, and indeed remarkable.)

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 5:1-12; 6:1-21; 7:1-2 (The Philistines and the Ark; the Ark is Returned)

Last time we saw the people of God reach their low point of faithlessness, as they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Philistines, and concluded that the appropriate solution was to bring the Ark of God into battle with them, to force God to help them and give them victory. Instead of this, of course, they were utterly defeated, and the wicked priests Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and the high priest Eli, their father, died when he heard, and the Ark itself was captured by the Philistines, as God delivered His faithless people into the hands of their enemies to correct them and bring them back to Himself. This time, we will see what the Philistines do with the Ark, and what happens next.

The Philistines and the Ark

5 When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod; 2 then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and placed it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But when they rose early on the next morning, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off upon the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 5 This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not step on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day.

6 The hand of the Lord was heavy upon the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and struck them with tumors, both in Ashdod and in its territory. 7 And when the inhabitants of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us; for his hand is heavy on us and on our god Dagon.” 8 So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” The inhabitants of Gath replied, “Let the ark of God be moved on to us.”

So they moved the ark of the God of Israel to Gath. 9 But after they had brought it to Gath, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic; he struck the inhabitants of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them. 10 So they sent the ark of the God of Israel to Ekron. But when the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “Why have they brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people?” 11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there; 12 those who did not die were stricken with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

The Ark Returned to Israel

6 The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months. 2 Then the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us what we should send with it to its place.” 3 They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed and will be ransomed; will not his hand then turn from you?”

4 And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five gold tumors and five gold mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for the same plague was upon all of you and upon your lords. 5 So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel; perhaps he will lighten his hand on you and your gods and your land. 6 Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had made fools of them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?

7 Now then, get ready a new cart and two milch cows that have never borne a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. 8 Take the ark of the Lord and place it on the cart, and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off, and let it go its way. 9 And watch; if it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance.”

10 The men did so; they took two milch cows and yoked them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. 11 They put the ark of the Lord on the cart, and the box with the gold mice and the images of their tumors. 12 The cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh.

13 Now the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. When they looked up and saw the ark, they went with rejoicing to meet it. 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh, and stopped there. A large stone was there; so they split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. 15 The Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the box that was beside it, in which were the gold objects, and set them upon the large stone. Then the people of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and presented sacrifices on that day to the Lord. 16 When the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron.

17 These are the gold tumors, which the Philistines returned as a guilt offering to the Lord: one for Ashdod, one for Gaza, one for Ashkelon, one for Gath, one for Ekron; 18 also the gold mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both fortified cities and unwalled villages. The great stone, beside which they set down the ark of the Lord, is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh.

The Ark at Kiriath-jearim

19 And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the Lord; and he killed seventy men of them. The people mourned because the Lord had made a great slaughter among the people. 20 Then the people of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? To whom shall he go so that we may be rid of him?” 21 So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to you.”

7 1 And the people of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord, and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. They consecrated his son, Eleazar, to have charge of the ark of the Lord.

2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after 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 God has not utterly abandoned His people, nor has He given His glory and the Ark of His Covenant with Israel permanently into the hands of the Philistines. We see, even here, God showing His power over the gods of the Philistines, until they decide to send the Ark back to Israel. It is noteworthy, however, that it is not brought back to Shiloh, nor is it brought back to the Tabernacle; it remains in this place where it is set until David is the king, and he finally brings it to Jerusalem, where Solomon eventually will build the Temple to house it. We should also note that, even though the Ark is returned to Israel, they don’t know or remember how to handle it; some of the people at Beth-Shemesh (which we need to note is named for a demon-god of the Canaanites, and has not been renamed, indicating that the people who live there are worshipping that god) dare to look at it, or perhaps open it to look inside, and are struck dead. The Hebrew text actually says not that 70 men are killed, but 50,070…this seems improbable, and so many English translations “correct” it, but regardless, the point is that God is correcting and disciplining His people, as they have strayed from faithfulness to Him, and do not even understand how to deal with the Ark of His Presence. They will begin to respond with repentance after this, as we will see when we resume this story after Holy 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 2 (Wednesday)

Saint Theophan the Recluse – The Path of Prayer – Sermon 2

Last time, St. Theophan recommended that this discipline of meditation upon holy things, upon the attributes and actions of God, should be done in the space of silence following one’s prayer each morning. This time, he will begin to sum up what he has recommended to us as he moves toward the conclusion of this sermon.

Mental Prayer – 7

So here are three methods you can add to the rule of prayer: methods by which you can teach the soul to rise prayerfully towards God.

To sum up, they are:

1. Setting aside some time each morning to meditation on God;
2. Turning every action to the glory of God; and
3. Calling out often to God in brief appeals

If your morning meditation on the divine is conscientious, you will find yourself with a lasting disposition to remember God.

By reflecting on God, you will make your soul careful to take account of God, and to act to His glory in its every action, outer as well as inner. And such a soul will be poised so that frequent prayerful exclamations will be drawn out of it.

These three: reflection on God; doing everything to the glory of God; and frequent appeals to God, are the most effective tools for prayer of mind and heart together. Each moves the soul towards God. The labour this involves can be compared to climbing a mountain. The higher up the mountain one is, the lighter and easier does one breathe. It is the same here: the more one accustoms oneself to these exercises, the higher he will raise his soul. The higher the soul rises, the more freely prayer will act within it.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should encourage and facilitate a discussion of these matters, and what this might actually look like in practical reality.)

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 27:1-23 (Jesus Before Pilate)

Last time we saw Jesus betrayed and brought to trial by the high priests and the elders of the people, and we saw Peter deny the Lord while he was waiting to see what would happen. Having gotten Jesus to “admit” that He claimed to be the Son of God, the high priest will now bring Him to Pilate, seeking the death penalty for Him.

Jesus Brought before Pilate

27 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus in order to bring about his death. 2 They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

The Suicide of Judas

3 When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.”

7 After conferring together, they used them to buy the potter’s field as a place to bury foreigners. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of the one on whom a price had been set, on whom some of the people of Israel had set a price, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”

Pilate Questions Jesus

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You say so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many accusations they make against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Barabbas or Jesus?

15 Now at the festival the governor was accustomed to release a prisoner for the crowd, anyone whom they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Jesus[g] Barabbas. 17 So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that they had handed him over.

19 While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for today I have suffered a great deal because of a dream about him.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” All of them said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 Then he asked, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

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 Jesus remains in control of Himself and of His emotions. He speaks to Pilate with strength and authority, even in the face of judgment and death. Beyond this, the Leader should simply urge a discussion of the various elements of this story, as we have heard it so many times, and yet there is always something new to notice, if we can pay attention.)

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?