Day 1 (Monday)

Proverbs 26:1-28; 27:1-27

As we begin the New Year of 2025, we will continue for one more week to pause 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 way to begin the new year, remembering that we are called indeed to live in a manner set apart from the brokenness of the world, and that this life to which we are called is truly blessed.

Proverbs 26

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer fools according to their folly,
or you will be a fool yourself.
5 Answer fools according to their folly,
or they will be wise in their own eyes.
6 It is like cutting off one’s foot and drinking down violence,
to send a message by a fool.

7 The legs of a disabled person hang limp;
so does a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 It is like binding a stone in a sling
to give honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 Like an archer who wounds everybody
is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit
is a fool who reverts to his folly.
12 Do you see persons wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for fools than for them.

13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion in the road!
There is a lion in the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so does a lazy person in bed.
15 The lazy person buries a hand in the dish,
and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth.
16 The lazy person is wiser in self-esteem
than seven who can answer discreetly.

17 Like somebody who takes a passing dog by the ears
is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.
18 Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,
19 so is one who deceives a neighbor
and says, “I am only joking!”
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoal is to hot embers and wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel
are smooth lips with an evil heart.

24 An enemy dissembles in speaking
while harboring deceit within;
25 when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it,
for there are seven abominations concealed within;
26 though hatred is covered with guile,
the enemy’s wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and a stone will come back on the one who starts it rolling.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 27

Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—
a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
but who is able to stand before jealousy?

5 Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
6 Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,
but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
7 The sated appetite spurns honey,
but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is one who strays from home.

9 Perfume and incense make the heart glad,
but the soul is torn by trouble.
10 Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent;
do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is nearby
than kindred who are far away.
11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.
12 The clever see danger and hide;
but the simple go on, and suffer for it.

13 Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;
seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.
14 Whoever blesses a neighbor with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning,
will be counted as cursing.
15 A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a contentious wife are alike;
16 to restrain her is to restrain the wind
or to grasp oil in the right hand.

17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens the wits of another.
18 Anyone who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and anyone who takes care of a master will be honored.
19 Just as water reflects the face,
so one human heart reflects another.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
and human eyes are never satisfied.

21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
so a person is tested by being praised.
22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
along with crushed grain,
but the folly will not be driven out.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not last forever,
nor a crown for all generations.

25 When the grass is gone, and new growth appears,
and the herbage of the mountains is gathered,
26 the lambs will provide your clothing,
and the goats the price of a field;
27 there will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
for the food of your household
and nourishment for your servant-girls.

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note how the first of our two chapters is taken up with warnings about other people, about fools, lazy persons, meddlers, whisperers, and dissemblers, while the second is given to more general counsels. It should especially be noted that in 26:4 & 5, we get what looks like exactly contradictory advice, being told the consequences both of answering a fool according to his folly, or not doing so. Either way, it seems, we are in trouble. The point may be that there is no good option when you are dealing with someone who is foolish, but it might also be that one should simply avoid doing so wherever possible. For myself, I think this point is perhaps the wisest thing we’ve seen in Proverbs so far; sometimes in life, there is no good option.)

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)

Hymns from the Feast of the Lord’s Circumcision

Every year, on January 1st, the 8^th day after the Nativity of the Lord, we celebrate the Circumcision in the Flesh of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In this feast, we see our Creator and God, human and present in our midst, submitting Himself to the Law that He Himself had given, accepting circumcision, precisely as did Abraham and all His descendants. The point, of course, is that our Lord is Himself the long-awaited Child of Promise, in anticipation of Whom all the coming generations from Abraham had been dedicated to God as His own people. In keeping with the commandments of God, it was also on this 8^th Day that He received the name the Angel had commanded for Him, and was called Jesus.

Both Now Hymn of the 2^nd Orthros Kathismata

SINCE You are a great abyss * of love for mankind, * You, O Master, have put on * a servant's form on our behalf; * and You were circumcised in the flesh, * granting Your great and rich mercy to all mankind.

Troparia from the 4^th Ode of the Canon of the Feast

CIRCUMCISION has ceased, as Christ is willingly circumcised, saving by grace the multitudes of the nations.

THE eighth day, whereon Christ the Master was circumcised, figures forth the unending life of the age to come.

Troparia from the 5^th Ode of the Canon of the Feast

YOU, the Lord, are inexplicably come forth from a Virgin Mother, and have not thought it unworthy to put on the form of mortals; but as a babe You have lawfully fulfilled the Law.

LOVING the shadow of the Law, she who gave birth to Israel is likened to the night, from which, flashing out like lightning, Christ the Light of the world has appeared.

Troparia from the 6^th Ode of the Canon of the Feast

THE Law has received its end, since Christ is become a babe and is shown to be the Fulfiller of the Law: He has accepted circumcision and loosed the curse of the Law.

SABBATH, Circumcision, and Hebrews' haughtiness have ceased at the command of Christ Who has appeared, and the springtime of Grace has shone forth.

Exapostilarion for the Feast

NOW He that has fulfilled the Law * as an eight-day old infant * is circumcised in mortal flesh, * Who as God made the ages; * and He is wrapped in swaddling clothes * as a mortal child of man; * sustained with milk is the Master, * Who with infinite power * doth uphold all creation * and with His sway rules all things.

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 the Lord is said to bring and end to circumcision, not by issuing an abolition of the practice, but rather by undergoing it! The point we should draw from this is not that this sign of God’s covenant with humanity, and specifically with the children of Abraham, is no longer important, but rather that it is vitally important, but simply is completed and perfected and fulfilled in the Lord Himself, in Whom we live and move and have our being. He is our life, our Bridegroom and our Savior – in Him, we partake forever of perfect communion with the Holy Trinity.)

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)

Acts 10:1-23a (Peter and Cornelius)

Last week, we saw Saul go to Jerusalem after escaping Damascus, and gain the trust of the Apostles there before having to flee once again from the determination of his former friends to kill him. He went back home, to Tarsus, but we will of course see a great deal of him in the coming months. In the meantime, however, as the Church grew throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria during this time of peace, we saw Peter traveling around, and the Lord working great miracles in him as he visited the Faithful throughout the region. At the end of the chapter, we saw him go to Joppa, and we will pick up the story as we begin the next chapter, not in Joppa, but some distance up the coast, at Caesarea.

Peter and Cornelius

10 In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. 2 He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. 3 One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” 4 He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?”

He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, 8 and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

9 About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air.

13 Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” 15 The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. 18 They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. 20 Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.”

21 So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” 22 They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So Peter[b] invited them in and gave them lodging.

Reading 18 – 488 words

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 centurion is something we have not yet seen in the Book of Acts: an actual Gentile. We’ve seen Jews from outside Judaea enter the Church; we’ve seen Samaritans enter the Church. But we have never seen anyone who is uncircumcised enter the Church. This Cornelius remains a Roman, although he values the Torah and prays to Yahweh the God of Israel; he has not taken that final step of becoming a Jew by being circumcised. Peter, on the other hand, with the vision that he sees, is put in a strange situation. He’s spent plenty of time with Jesus, and knows that not all the guidelines that the Pharisees taught are actually necessary to follow, as the Pharisees taught stricter rules than the Torah itself. But the delineation between clean and unclean animals is no invention of men; it is immediately present in the text of Leviticus, where we will read it next week. So this vision that he has is very strange and troubling to him. Finally, we should point out that neither Cornelius nor Peter initiates what happens here. Both of them are praying, of course, and thus they are open and attentive, ready for the guidance of the Lord. But God Himself intervenes in this matter. To what purpose, we will see 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 1 (Monday)

Isaiah 11:1-16 (A shoot shall come out from Jesse)

Last time we saw the ordination of Aaron and his sons from Leviticus 8. We will continue our readings from Leviticus and the rest of the Torah in the new year, but for now, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will step away from the Sinai desert and jump forward in time to the later centuries of the kingdom of Judah, as the Prophet Isaiah proclaims of the long-awaited consolation that will come to the people of God after the judgment that he has been prophesying. This is one of the eight readings from the Old Testament that is read during the Vesperal Liturgy on Christmas Eve.

The Peaceful Kingdom

11 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
5 Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.

6 The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
7 The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
9 They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah

10 On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

11 On that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.

12 He will raise a signal for the nations,
and will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather the dispersed of Judah
from the four corners of the earth.
13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart,
the hostility of Judah shall be cut off;
Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah,
and Judah shall not be hostile towards Ephraim.
14 But they shall swoop down on the backs of the Philistines in the west,
together they shall plunder the people of the east.
They shall put forth their hand against Edom and Moab,
and the Ammonites shall obey them.

15 And the Lord will utterly destroy
the tongue of the sea of Egypt;
and will wave his hand over the River
with his scorching wind;
and will split it into seven channels,
and make a way to cross on foot;
16 so there shall be a highway from Assyria
for the remnant that is left of his people,
as there was for Israel
when they came up from the land of Egypt.

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 prophecy is comparing the Root of Jesse who is to come with other rulers and kings, contrasting the justice of the True Messiah with the injustice of the kings the people have known. The imagery of the stump of Jesse anticipates an end to the kingdom ruled by the sons of David, and yet expects nonetheless that from that dead stump a new shoot will sprint forth. I think that this image, of a new shoot coming out of dead wood, may be connect to the extension of this image in more recent Christmas carols, from a tree stump to a rose bush, as is seen in the carol “Lo how a rose e’er blooming.” The other point we should note is that the coming of the Root of Jesse is to be a sign that all the remnant of Israel is to be recovered from among the nations; this prophecy does not indicate the inclusion of those nations in the redemption, as such, but we know that Israel’s loss among the nations was so complete that the only way for Israel to return was for the nations in whom Israel had been lost to enter the Church, as we are about to see happen in our readings from the book of Acts.)

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)

Hymns from Christmas

Every year, on December 25th, we celebrate the Nativity, or Birth, of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In this feast, we see our Creator and God become human, born of the Virgin Mary, present in our midst for our salvation. The themes of this celebration are nothing less than the wonder and awe of beholding Emmanuel, God With Us, but this marvel has manifold facets, which the Church meditates upon in the hymns that accompany the Feast. The feast-day celebrations last two full days, not just one, and begin with the Royal Hours the morning of Christmas Eve, continuing with the Vesperal Liturgy that evening, and finishing with the Orthros and Liturgy on Christmas Day itself.

Idiomelon 1 of the 3rd Hour

This is our God; no other shall be compared to Him, who was born of a Virgin, and who lived among men. The only-begotten Son is seen, as a mortal, lying in a spare manger; and He, the Lord of glory, is wrapped in swaddling clothes. A star signals the Magi, to come and adore Him. And we, for our part, sing our hymns: "O Holy Trinity, save our souls!"

Idiomelon 2 of the 3rd Hour

Before Your Nativity, O Lord, the heavenly hosts trembled in amazement, as they watched the mystery unfold. For You, who adorned the sky with the stars, became a little baby, in Your good pleasure. You, who hold the whole world in Your hand, lay in a manger, a trough meant for beasts. Such was Your plan for our salvation, and thus was Your compassion made known. O Christ, the great mercy, glory to You!

Doxastikon of the Vespers Kekragaria

When Augustus reigned alone on the earth, the many kingdoms of mankind came to an end; and when You became man from the pure Virgin, the many gods of idolatry were destroyed. The cities of the world passed under one single rule, and the nations came to believe in one God. The peoples were enrolled by decree of Caesar; we the faithful were enrolled in the name of the Godhead, when You became man, O our God. Great is your mercy. Lord, glory to you.

Doxastikion of the Liti

The Magi, kings of Persia, ⁄ know that You, the heavenly King, ⁄ were assuredly born on earth. ⁄ They came to Bethlehem, led by the light of a star, ⁄ and offered their chosen gifts: ⁄ Gold, and frankincense and myrrh! ⁄ Falling before You, they worshiped You: ⁄⁄ For they saw You, the timeless one, lying as a Babe in the cave.

Doxastikon of the Aposticha

Rejoice, Jerusalem; and all you who love Zion, celebrate! Today the age old bond of the condemnation of Adam has been released. Paradise is opened to us; the serpent is neutralized. He deceived a woman in Paradise of old, but now he sees a woman become the Mother of the Creator. What profound riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! Woman, who became the instrument of sin, and who brought death to all flesh, has now through the Theotokos become the beginning of salvation for the world. For the all-perfect God is born as an infant from her, and in birth He preserves her virginity, and being wrapped in swaddling clothes He breaks the chains of sins. Becoming an infant, He heals the labor pains of Eve. Therefore, let all creation dance and leap for joy. For Christ came to recall it, and to save our souls.

Troparion of Ode 1 of Canon 2 of the Feast

Plainly foreshadowed by the burning bush that was not consumed, ⁄ a hallowed womb has borne the Word. ⁄ God is mingled with the form of mortal men, ⁄ and so He looses the unhappy womb of Eve from the ancient, bitter curse. ⁄⁄ Therefore we glorify Him!

Troparion of Ode 6 of Canon 1 of the Feast

For a child was born, * a Son, from Adam's nature, and given unto those who believe in Him. * Of the age to come He is Father and Prince, and His name has been called * the Angel of Great Counsel. Mighty God is He; * wonderful Counselor, Prince of peace, * and He governs creation with authority.

Idiomelon 3 of the Praises of the Orthros

O Virgin Theotokos who gave birth to the Savior, you reversed the curse to which Eve once was subject. For you have become the Mother of the Father's good pleasure, and you hold in your embraces God the Logos incarnate. The mystery admits no inquiry; we all glorify it by faith alone, and with you we cry aloud and say, "O Lord incomprehensible, glory to You."

Troparion of Ode 8 of Canon 2 of the Feast

Turning away from the guilt of its vain attempt to become as God, ⁄ the whole creation sings, like the three Children, ⁄ in praise of the eternal Word, who now empties Himself: ⁄ yet in trembling, fearing in its corruption to bring a prayer unacceptable to God, ⁄⁄ although the divine wisdom ever maintains it in being.

Both now of Ode 8 of Canon 2 of the Feast

You have come, Resurrection of the nations, ⁄ to bring back the wandering nature of mankind, ⁄ leading it from the hills of the wilderness to a pasture rich in flowers. ⁄ As in Your providence You have appeared as Man and God, ⁄⁄ destroy the violent strength of the murderer of mankind.

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 how the themes in these hymns are very consistent, all focusing on the long waiting and anticipation of God’s people for Him to visit them, and on their wonder and ours at beholding and understanding that He has not simply appeared to us in a vision or a dream, but has come to us in the flesh, uniting Himself with our nature, and in that way He is healing our wounds and overthrowing the power of our enemies.)

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)

Acts 9:26-43 (Saul in Jerusalem, Peter Heals in Lydda & Joppa)

Last week, we saw Saul the persecutor confronted on the road to Damascus by the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, and through that revelation, we saw him brought to repentance, obedience, and baptism once he arrived in Damascus. He immediately began to preach that Jesus was the Messiah in the synagogues in the city, until the Jews there turned against him and sought to kill him. At that point he escaped from the city, being let down in a basket from the wall. This time, we will see where he goes from there.

Saul in Jerusalem

26 When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but they were attempting to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

The Healing of Aeneas

32 Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Peter in Lydda and Joppa

36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37 At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, “Please come to us without delay.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

40 Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, get up.” Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Reading 17 – 453 words

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 group which Saul was disputing with in Jerusalem, the ones who ultimately sought to kill him, is the same group of which he was a member, and of which St. Stephen had been a member before they turned against him and sought to kill him. These are Greek-speaking Jews, as it seems, described as “Hellenists.” Many of these were members of the Church, and it was to care for them that Stephen and the others were first selected as Deacons. At any rate, the Church sends Saul away to his birth city of Tarsus, in order to protect him, and meanwhile, we see Peter preaching in the cities to the west of Jerusalem, in Lydda, which is toward the coast, and in Joppa, which is actually on the Mediterranean Sea. The reason that we are hearing about St. Peter’s preaching here is twofold, I think. First, it shows him engaged in what is effectively a traveling ministry, as opposed to a settled ministry in the city. Second, it establishes why he is in Joppa for the next event in the story, which is extremely 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)

Leviticus 8:1-36 (Ordination of Aaron and his sons)

Last time, we read about the offerings that God commanded His people to make to Him, and saw how the blood of the animal, its life, became a symbol of the life of the one making the offering, as they brought themselves and their household before the Lord and offered Him hospitality, sharing a meal with the God of Israel, in thanksgiving for His blessings. We saw how God made it possible for everyone to do so, whether they were rich or poor, by establishing offerings as expensive as an entire bull, and as inexpensive as a handful of grain, which could be offered to Him. This time, we will skip ahead a few chapters, to see how Aaron and his sons were ordained to be the priests who served at the Altar of the Lord.

The Rites of Ordination

8 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Take Aaron and his sons with him, the vestments, the anointing oil, the bull of sin offering, the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; 3 and assemble the whole congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 4 And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. When the congregation was assembled at the entrance of the tent of meeting, 5 Moses said to the congregation, “This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.”

6 Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward, and washed them with water. 7 He put the tunic on him, fastened the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He then put the decorated band of the ephod around him, tying the ephod to him with it. 8 He placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. 9 And he set the turban on his head, and on the turban, in front, he set the golden ornament, the holy crown, as the Lord commanded Moses.

10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. 11 He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the basin and its base, to consecrate them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him. 13 And Moses brought forward Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and fastened sashes around them, and tied headdresses on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.

14 He led forward the bull of sin offering; and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bull of sin offering, 15 and it was slaughtered. Moses took the blood and with his finger put some on each of the horns of the altar, purifying the altar; then he poured out the blood at the base of the altar. Thus he consecrated it, to make atonement for it. 16 Moses took all the fat that was around the entrails, and the appendage of the liver, and the two kidneys with their fat, and turned them into smoke on the altar. 17 But the bull itself, its skin and flesh and its dung, he burned with fire outside the camp, as the Lord commanded Moses.

18 Then he brought forward the ram of burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, 19 and it was slaughtered. Moses dashed the blood against all sides of the altar. 20 The ram was cut into its parts, and Moses turned into smoke the head and the parts and the suet. 21 And after the entrails and the legs were washed with water, Moses turned into smoke the whole ram on the altar; it was a burnt offering for a pleasing odor, an offering by fire to the Lord, as the Lord commanded Moses.

22 Then he brought forward the second ram, the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, 23 and it was slaughtered. Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. 24 After Aaron’s sons were brought forward, Moses put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet; and Moses dashed the rest of the blood against all sides of the altar.

25 He took the fat—the broad tail, all the fat that was around the entrails, the appendage of the liver, and the two kidneys with their fat—and the right thigh. 26 From the basket of unleavened bread that was before the Lord, he took one cake of unleavened bread, one cake of bread with oil, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. 27 He placed all these on the palms of Aaron and on the palms of his sons, and raised them as an elevation offering before the Lord. 28 Then Moses took them from their hands and turned them into smoke on the altar with the burnt offering.

This was an ordination offering for a pleasing odor, an offering by fire to the Lord. 29 Moses took the breast and raised it as an elevation offering before the Lord; it was Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination, as the Lord commanded Moses. 30 Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood that was on the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his vestments, and also on his sons and their vestments. Thus he consecrated Aaron and his vestments, and also his sons and their vestments.

31 And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the flesh at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of ordination offerings, as I was commanded, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it’; 32 and what remains of the flesh and the bread you shall burn with fire. 33 You shall not go outside the entrance of the tent of meeting for seven days, until the day when your period of ordination is completed. For it will take seven days to ordain you; 34 as has been done today, the Lord has commanded to be done to make atonement for you. 35 You shall remain at the entrance of the tent of meeting day and night for seven days, keeping the Lord’s charge so that you do not die; for so I am commanded.” 36 Aaron and his sons did all the things that the Lord commanded through Moses.

Reading 3
1002 words

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note that elements of this ordination, and of the consecration of the altar and the tabernacle which accompanies it, are very similar to what is done in ordinations and consecrations in the Church, with the vesting of the one being ordained, on the one hand, and with the anointing of the place of worship and everything within it, on the other. That said, a great deal of this is very very different, with the sacrifices of animals, and the blood, and the anointing of the priests with both anointing oil and blood. For these specifically, it is worth observing that the ordained clergy of the Church are not anointed, neither with Chrism or with Holy Unction (and certainly not with blood). However, when a new Christian is made, they are both baptized into Christ, into His death and His Resurrection, putting on Christ and being joined to His Life, and are then anointed with the Chrism of the Church for the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thus, it can be argued that the Faithful of the Church, when they are baptized, are effectively ordained into the fulfillment of the priesthood of Aaron.)

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)

Joseph and Aseneth – 11

Last time, we saw the Man from Heaven show Aseneth a miracle, as He made the sign of the Cross in the honeycomb from which He had given heavenly food to Aseneth, and from the honeycomb came forth marvelous bees, clothed in brilliant white and crowned with crowns, and they made a honeycomb in her mouth and were nourished from it, until the Man from Heaven took them away into Heaven. Then He touched the honeycomb, and fire consumed it all, but did not harm the table, and then He left her and returned to Heaven Himself, leaving her to marvel that she had been visited by God Himself. This time, we will see her return to her family and prepare to meet Joseph once again.

James H. Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament: Expansions of the “Old Testament” and Legends, Wisdom, and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works, vol. 2 (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 1985), 202–238.

IV. JOSEPH’S AND ASENETH’S MARRIAGE

Joseph’s second visit is announced. Aseneth’s foster-father notices her fallen face

18 1 (1) And as Aseneth was still saying these things to herself, behold, a young man from Pentephres’ servant staff rushed in and said, “Behold, Joseph the Powerful One of God is coming to us today. For a forerunner of his is standing at the gates of our court.” 2 (2) And Aseneth hurried and called her foster-father, the (steward) of her house, and said to him, “Hurry and make the house ready and prepare a good dinner, because Joseph the Powerful One of God is coming to us today.”

3 And her foster-father saw her, and behold, her face had fallen from the affliction and the weeping and the fasting of the seven days, and he was distressed and wept, and he took her right hand and kissed it and said, “What have you, my child, because your face has fallen so (much)?” 4 And Aseneth said to him, “My head is stricken with heavy pain, and the sleep kept away from my eyes, and therefore my face has fallen.” 5 And her foster-father went away and prepared the house and the dinner.

Aseneth dresses as a bride and is transformed to heavenly beauty

(3) And Aseneth remembered the man (from heaven) and his commandment, and she hurried and entered her second chamber where the chests (containing) her ornaments were, and opened her big coffer and brought out her first robe, (the one) of wedding, like lightning in appearance, and dressed in it. 6 (4) And she girded a golden and royal girdle around (herself) (5) which was (made) of precious stones. And she put golden bracelets on her fingers and on her feet golden buskins, and precious ornaments she put around her neck in which innumerable costly (and) precious stones were fastened, and a golden crown she put on her head, and on that crown, in front on her brow, was a big sapphire stone, and around the (6) big stone were six costly stones. And with a veil she covered her head like a bride, and she took a scepter in her hand.

7 And Aseneth remembered the words of her foster-father, because he had said to her, “Your face has fallen.” And she sighed and was much distressed and said, “Woe is me, the humble, because my face has fallen. Joseph will see me and despise me.” 8 (7) And she said to her foster-sister, “Bring me pure water from the spring, and I will wash my face.”

9 And she brought her pure water from the spring and poured it into the basin. And Aseneth leaned (over) to wash her face and saw her face in the water. And it was like the sun and her eyes (were) like a rising morning star, and her cheeks like fields of the Most High, and on her cheeks (there was) red (color) like a son of man’s blood, and her lips (were) like a rose of life coming out of its foliage, and her teeth like fighting men lined up for a fight, and the hair of her head (was) like a vine in the paradise of God prospering in its fruits, and her neck like an all-variegated cypress, and her breasts (were) like the mountains of the Most High God.

10 And when Aseneth saw herself in the water, she was amazed at the sight and rejoiced with great joy, and did not wash her face, for she said, “Perhaps I (will) wash off this great beauty.” 11 And her foster-father came to say to her, “Everything is prepared as you have commanded.” And when he saw her he was alarmed and stood speechless for a long (time), and was filled with great fear and fell at her feet and said, “What is this, my mistress, and what is this great and wonderful beauty? At last the Lord God of heaven has chosen you as a bride for his firstborn son, Joseph?”

673 words
Reading 11

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 the text here is reflecting on Aseneth’s beauty, and in what it is found. On the one hand, within the normal frame, her steward sees her weary and sleep-deprived from her fasting and comments upon how her face has fallen. But on the other, when she looks at her face and sees it, she sees the glory of God in her face, and when she returns to her steward, he sees the same thing, although she has done nothing. I think the point here is that the very signs of her humility and repentance are themselves precisely the true beauty and glory of the one whom God has chosen and accepted. The words of St. Paul may be helpful here, as he says: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-10)

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)

Acts 9:1-25 (Conversion of Saul, Saul Preaches in Damascus, Escapes the Jews)

The last couple weeks, we have seen what Philip and some of the Apostles have been doing in the aftermath of Stephen’s martyrdom, as Saul of Tarsus was hunting down any followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, and most of them scattered from the city. Philip, then Peter and John, went to Samaria, where many were baptized and received the Holy Spirit, and then Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch on the road to Gaza and baptized him there after explaining to him the meaning of the Suffering Servant passage from the prophecy of Isaiah. This time, we will return to Jerusalem, and see what Saul is doing.

The Conversion of Saul

9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”

13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; 16 I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul Preaches in Damascus

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Messiah.

Saul Escapes from the Jews

23 After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night so that they might kill him; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

Reading 16 – 605 words

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 there are some peculiar elements to this story. The first is that Saul’s journey to Damascus is disrupted by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself; seeing and hearing Him, Saul is struck blind, but he listens and obeys. Second, we see Ananias go and lay hands of Saul and baptize him, and are given to understand that Saul receives the Holy Spirit, even though none of the twelve apostles are there with him. Thus he is granted to participate in the glory of Pentecost directly, without the need for another apostle to be present. These two points are unique, and are part of the reason that St. Paul, and the other Apostles, and the Church at large, count St. Paul as one of the Apostles, and not simply one of their disciples. He bears direct witness to the Lord’s Resurrection, and receives the Holy spirit without the intervention of another apostle. This is why he claims to be a direct eye-witness of the Lord, as in 1 Corinthians 15:8-10 “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” This should be considered next to the appointment of Matthias; that was the work and decision of the 11 Disciples, and God seems to have honored it, and Matthias is remembered as one of the Apostles…but Paul is the one that God chose Himself to take the place of Judas the betrayer.)

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)

Leviticus 1:1-17; 2:1-16 (Burnt Offerings & Grain Offerings)

We have spent the last several weeks reading the story of Joseph, and completing the book of Genesis. The story continues, of course, with the enslavement of the house of Israel in Egypt after Joseph’s death, and with Moses’ birth, adoption by Pharaoh’s daughter, exile into the wilderness, and his ultimate calling by God to lead the people out of Egypt. God humiliates the gods of Egypt in the ten plagues, showing to Pharaoh His power and glory, and giving him nine chances to repent before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, after which Pharaoh finally releases the people, only to chase after them once they have left, catching up with them at the Red Sea, where God brings His people across on dry land, but the waters return and drown the Egyptian army as they try to come after them. God then brings His people to Mt. Sinai, where He ordains them as His own priestly people, to serve as a vessel of His presence among all the nations. Through a series of unfaithful acts by the people at large, however, that priestly role comes to the tribe of Levi, and specifically to the household of Aaron, the brother of Moses. At Sinai, the people built the Tabernacle to worship God, according to the model that God had given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, and God gave them instructions regarding how they were to worship Him, establishing both daily offerings, and then particular offerings that were to be made when the people sinned and needed to be cleansed and reconciled to God. These instructions are mostly contained in the book of Leviticus, and we will begin with some elements of these guidelines today, so that we understand something of the worship of God established at Mt. Sinai.

Leviticus 1

The Burnt Offering

1 The Lord summoned Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying: 2 Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When any of you bring an offering of livestock to the Lord, you shall bring your offering from the herd or from the flock.

3 If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you shall offer a male without blemish; you shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, for acceptance in your behalf before the Lord. 4 You shall lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be acceptable in your behalf as atonement for you. 5 The bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord; and Aaron’s sons the priests shall offer the blood, dashing the blood against all sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 6 The burnt offering shall be flayed and cut up into its parts. 7 The sons of the priest Aaron shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the parts, with the head and the suet, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; 9 but its entrails and its legs shall be washed with water. Then the priest shall turn the whole into smoke on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord.

10 If your gift for a burnt offering is from the flock, from the sheep or goats, your offering shall be a male without blemish. 11 It shall be slaughtered on the north side of the altar before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall dash its blood against all sides of the altar. 12 It shall be cut up into its parts, with its head and its suet, and the priest shall arrange them on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; 13 but the entrails and the legs shall be washed with water. Then the priest shall offer the whole and turn it into smoke on the altar; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord.

14 If your offering to the Lord is a burnt offering of birds, you shall choose your offering from turtledoves or pigeons. 15 The priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head, and turn it into smoke on the altar; and its blood shall be drained out against the side of the altar. 16 He shall remove its crop with its contents and throw it at the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes. 17 He shall tear it open by its wings without severing it. Then the priest shall turn it into smoke on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord.

Grain Offerings

2 When anyone presents a grain offering to the Lord, the offering shall be of choice flour; the worshiper shall pour oil on it, and put frankincense on it, 2 and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. After taking from it a handful of the choice flour and oil, with all its frankincense, the priest shall turn this token portion into smoke on the altar, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord. 3 And what is left of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons, a most holy part of the offerings by fire to the Lord.

4 When you present a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be of choice flour: unleavened cakes mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers spread with oil. 5 If your offering is grain prepared on a griddle, it shall be of choice flour mixed with oil, unleavened; 6 break it in pieces, and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. 7 If your offering is grain prepared in a pan, it shall be made of choice flour in oil. 8 You shall bring to the Lord the grain offering that is prepared in any of these ways; and when it is presented to the priest, he shall take it to the altar. 9 The priest shall remove from the grain offering its token portion and turn this into smoke on the altar, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord. 10 And what is left of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings by fire to the Lord.

11 No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you must not turn any leaven or honey into smoke as an offering by fire to the Lord. 12 You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of choice products, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing odor. 13 You shall not omit from your grain offerings the salt of the covenant with your God; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

14 If you bring a grain offering of first fruits to the Lord, you shall bring as the grain offering of your first fruits coarse new grain from fresh ears, parched with fire. 15 You shall add oil to it and lay frankincense on it; it is a grain offering. 16 And the priest shall turn a token portion of it into smoke—some of the coarse grain and oil with all its frankincense; it is an offering by fire to the Lord.

Reading 1
958 words

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should point out that this sort of sacrifice is completely and utterly foreign to us. We have never experienced anything like this, at least not overtly, and the extremely bloody nature of this worship strikes us as disgusting and disturbing. However, what we need to understand is that what is being offered to God here is the life of the animal, present in the blood that is poured upon the side of the altar and in the flesh that is burned upon the altar. The life of the animal itself is symbolic of something else, however, which is shown in the fact that the one making the offering rests his hand upon the head of the animal before it is killed; the life of the animal becomes a representation of the life and devotion and faithfulness of the offerer. And then the meat and bones which are burned on the altar are a meal offered to God, sent up as a fragrant smoke for God. The entire action is not one of fear or punishment, but of hospitality. In this sacrifice, the offerer dedicates his own life, and that of his entire household, to God, and offers God a meal, not because God needs to eat, but because hospitality, offering what God has given to us back to God, is what we need to do in relationship with God. If we can recognize these elements, then we can see the connecting points with our own Eucharistic worship, and can also notice the distinctions. In this worship, the fact that what is offered to God is something that God Himself had created is tacitly present, but not explicitly referenced, while in the Eucharist, what we offer to God is explicitly offered back to us as the presence of and communion with God Himself for us. We offer hospitality to Him, but it is He who actually nourishes and feeds and cares for us. Another thing that should be noted here is that there are options for those who can’t afford to offer a sheep or a bull…even a dove, or simply bread, may be offered to God in this way. Finally, these are whole burnt offerings that are described here, but there were many other offerings in which only part of the offering was burned upon the altar, and the rest was given back to the offerer to eat with his household, so that the family literally shared a meal with God.)

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)

Joseph and Aseneth – 10

Last time, we saw the Man from Heaven accept Aseneth’s hospitality, but not actually eat the bread and wine that she offered; instead He told her to bring Him a honeycomb, and when she was unable to do so, He provided a miraculous honeycomb. He spoke, and it came into being, in a way that seems to purposely reference Psalm 33:9. When Aseneth commented that the honeycomb had the same scent as the breath from His mouth, he smiled at her understanding, and after He and she had both eaten from the honeycomb, He touched it, and it become whole again, so that, having been eaten, it remained unconsumed. This time, we will see a final wonder demonstrated for Aseneth, and the Man from Heaven will leave her.

James H. Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament: Expansions of the “Old Testament” and Legends, Wisdom, and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works, vol. 2 (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 1985), 202–238.

The heavenly man marks the comb with a cross and makes bees, which encircle Aseneth, rise from it

17 (10) And again the man stretched out his right hand and put his (fore)finger on the edge of the comb looking east and drew it over the edge looking west, and the way of his finger (11) became like blood. And he stretched out his hand the second time and put his finger on the edge of the comb looking north and drew it over to the edge looking south, and the way of his finger became like blood. 17x (12) And Aseneth stood at his left (hand) and watched everything that the man was doing.

And the man said to the comb, “Come.” 17y (13) And bees rose from the cells of that comb, and the cells were innumerable, ten thousand (times) ten thousand and thousands upon is thousands. 18 And the bees were white as snow, and their wings like purple and like violet and like scarlet (stuff) and like gold-woven linen cloaks, and golden diadems (were) on their heads, and they had sharp stings, and they would not injure anyone. 19 (14) And all those bees encircled Aseneth from feet to head.

And other bees were great and chosen like their queens, and they rose from the damaged part of the comb and encircled Aseneth’s mouth, and made upon her mouth and her lips a comb similar to the comb which was lying before the man. 20 And all those bees ate of (15) the comb which was on Aseneth’s mouth. And the man said to the bees, “Go off to your place” 21 And all the bees rose and flew and went away into heaven. 22 (16) And those who wanted (17) to injure Aseneth fell to the ground and died. And the man stretched out his staff over the dead bees and said to them, “Rise you, too, and go away to your place.” 23 And the bees who had died rose and went into the court adjoining Aseneth’s house and sought shelter on the fruit-bearing trees.

17 1 (1) And the man said to Aseneth, “Have you seen this thing?” And she said, “Yes, Lord, I have seen all these (things).” 2 (2) And the man said to her, “So will be all my words which I have spoken to you today.” 3 (3) And the man for the third time stretched out his right hand, and touched the damaged part of the comb, and at once fire went up from the table and consumed the comb, but the table it did not injure. 4 And much fragrance came forth from the burning of the comb, and filled the chamber.

The heavenly man blesses Aseneth’s seven virgins

(4) And Aseneth said to the man, “Lord, with me are seven virgins ministering to me, fostered with me from my childhood, born with me in one night, and I love them as my sisters. I will call them, and you will bless them as you have blessed me, too.” 5 (5) And the man said, “Call them.” 6 And Aseneth called the seven virgins and stood them before the man. And the man blessed them and said, “May the Lord God the Most High bless you. And you shall be seven pillars of the City of Refuge, and all the fellow inhabitants of the chosen of that city will rest upon you for ever (and) ever.”

The heavenly man departs

And the man said to Aseneth, “Put this table away.” 7 (6), 8 And Aseneth turned to put the table away, and at once the man went away out of her sight. And Aseneth saw (something) like a chariot of four horses traveling into heaven toward (the) east. And the chariot was like a flame of fire, and the horses like lightning. And the man was standing on that chariot.

9 And Aseneth said, “(What a) foolish and bold (woman) I (am), because I have spoken with frankness and said that a man came into my chamber from heaven; and I did not know that (a) god came to me. And behold, now he is traveling (back) into heaven to his place.” 10 (7) And she said in herself, Be gracious, Lord, to your slave, and spare your maidservant, because I have spoken boldly before you all my words in ignorance.

735 words
Reading 10

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note how remarkable it is that the Man from Heaven marks the sign of the Cross upon the honeycomb, and should guide a discussion about the bees. What they signify is not completely clear, but one option may be that they are signifying those who are in the Church, some of them seeking to be nourished and to dwell in the Church, while others are seeking to do harm to the Church. Thus those who are sent to heaven represent the Saints, while those who harm her and die are also raised, but are sent to a place outside, and thus the bees become a sign of the Resurrection and the judgment. Also, when He touches the honeycomb and it is consumed in fire, it is very like the scene in Judges 13, when the Angel of the Lord touches the food that Sampson’s parents have brought Him, and burns it all up, and then ascends into heaven in the flame.)

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)

Acts 8:26-40 (Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch)

Last time, we saw Philip go to Samaria fleeing from the persecution of Saul of Tarsus, and as he preached there, great multitudes of the Samaritans embraced the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw the Apostles send Peter & John to pray and lay hands upon them for the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and we saw Simon Magus seek to acquire that same power with money. This time, we will see Philip go to the south, where he will encounter another person who is eager and ready to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to this chariot and join it.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Reading 15 – 362 words

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note that the passage this Ethiopian eunuch was reading is recited each Divine Liturgy by the priest as he is preparing the Gifts. It is one of the central Messianic texts of the Old Testament, and foretells exactly what happens to Jesus, with the rejection, the humiliation, and His silence before His accusers, centuries before even the fall of the Temple of Solomon.)

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)

Genesis 50:4-26 (Jacob’s Burial, Joseph Forgives his Brothers, Death of Joseph)

Last time, we saw Jacob’s final words to all twelve of his sons, in which he spoke to some of their past sins, blessed others, and prophesied to the rest what would happen to their descendants. Having said these things, he finally died, and Joseph had his body embalmed, according to the custom and expertise of the Egyptians, and they mourned for Jacob for seventy days. We remember, however, that Jacob severely charged Joseph to NOT bury him in Egypt, so this time, we will see what Joseph does.

Jacob’s Burial

4 And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, 5 My father made me swear, saying, ‘I am about to die: in my tomb which I hewed out for myself in the land of Canaan, there shall you bury me.’ Now therefore let me go up, I pray you, and bury my father; then I will return.” 6 And Pharaoh answered, “Go up, and bury your father, as he made you swear.”

7 So Joseph went up to bury his father; and with him went up all the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt, 8 as well as all the household of Joseph, his brothers, and his father’s household; only their children, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. 9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen; it was a very great company. 10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan, they lamented there with a very great and sorrowful lamentation; and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

11 When the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning on the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians.” Therefore the place was named A′bel-mizraim; it is beyond the Jordan. 12 Thus his sons did for him as he had commanded them; 13 for his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field at Mach-pe′lah, to the east of Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite, to possess as a burying place. 14 After he had buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.”

Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them.

Joseph’s Last Days and Death

22 So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father’s house; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. 23 And Joseph saw E′phraim’s children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manas′seh were born upon Joseph’s knees. 24 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die; but God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” 25 Then Joseph took an oath of the sons of Israel, saying, “God will visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” 26 So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Reading 13 – 660 words

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 Joseph repeats to his brothers his words from before, that he forgives them, and that even though they intended and did evil to him, God meant it for good, and used it to save them and all their households. From that point, he protected and cared for them as long as he lived. Then, when he dies, he gives to those who survive, who are probably not his brothers, but his nephews at this point, a similar command that his father Jacob had given to him, that they are to carry his body out of Egypt when God visits them and brings them out. This is the end of the book of Genesis…we may remember that, in the book of Exodus, it begins immediately by saying that another Pharaoh arose, who did not know Joseph, and he enslaved the children of Israel, and from there, the story continues. But indeed, it is noted in Exodus that when they leave, they do carry Joseph’s body with them, so that he can be buried in the Promised Land.)

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)

Joseph and Aseneth – 9

Last time (two weeks ago), we saw Aseneth return from washing and dressing herself, at the direction of the Man from Heaven, and when she returned, He blessed her and told her that she would be the bride of Joseph, and then He said more things to her that made less sense in the literal frame, but which fell easily into place once we understand that Aseneth is functioning here as a type of the Church. In that sense she is indeed a City of Refuge, in which all the nations find peace and salvation, and she has indeed put on the bridal garment prepared for her from eternity, in being baptized into Christ and putting on Christ. This time, we will see her conversation with the Man from Heaven continue as she offers Him food, in the same way that Samson’s parents offered food to the Angel of the Lord in Judges 13.

James H. Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament: Expansions of the “Old Testament” and Legends, Wisdom, and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works, vol. 2 (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 1985), 202–238.

Aseneth invites the heavenly man to take food. The mysterious honeycomb which is bread of life

13 And Aseneth said. “If I have found favor in your sight, Lord, and will know that you will do all your words that you have spoken to me, let your maidservant speak before you.” 14 And the man said to her, “Speak (up).” And Aseneth stretched out her right hand and put (14) it on his knees and said to him, “I beg you, Lord, sit down a little on this bed, because this bed is pure and undefiled, and a man or woman never sat on it. And I will set a table before you, and bring you bread and you will eat, and bring you from my storeroom old and good wine, the exhalation of which will go up till heaven, and you will drink from it. And after this you will go out (on) your way.” 15 And the man said to her, “Hurry and bring (it) quickly.”

16 1 (1) And Aseneth hurried and set a new table before him and went to provide bread for him. And the man said to her, “Bring me also a honeycomb.” 2 (2) And Aseneth stood still and was distressed, because she did not have a honeycomb in her storeroom. 3 (3) And the man said to her, “Why do you stand still?” 4 And Aseneth said, “I will send a boy to the suburb, because the field which is our inheritance is close, and he will quickly bring you a honeycomb from there, and I will set (it) before you, Lord.” 5 And the man said to her, “Proceed and enter your storeroom, and you will find a honeycomb lying upon the table. Pick it up and bring (it) here.” 6 And Aseneth said, “Lord, a honeycomb is not in my storeroom.” 7 And the man said, “Proceed and you will find (one).”

8 (4) And Aseneth entered her storeroom and found a honeycomb lying on the table. And the comb was big and white as snow and full of honey. And that honey was like dew from heaven and its exhalation like breath of life. 9 And Aseneth wondered and said in herself, Did then this comb come out of the man’s mouth, because its exhalation is like the breath of this man’s mouth? 10 (5) And Aseneth took that comb and brought it to the man, and put it on the table which she had prepared before him.

And the man said to her, “How is it that you said that a honeycomb is not in my storeroom? And behold, you have brought a wonderful honeycomb.” 11 (6) And Aseneth was afraid and said, “Lord, I did not have a honeycomb in my storeroom at any time, but you spoke and it came into being. Surely this came out of your mouth, because its exhalation is like breath of your mouth.”

And the man smiled at Aseneth’s understanding, 12,13 (7) and called her to himself, and stretched out his right hand, and grasped her head and shook her head with his right hand. And Aseneth was afraid of the man’s hand, because sparks shot forth from his hand as from bubbling (melted) iron. And Aseneth looked, gazing with her eyes at the man’s hand. 14 And the man saw (it) and smiled and said, “Happy are you, Aseneth, because the ineffable mysteries of the Most High have been revealed to you, and happy (are) all who attach themselves to the Lord God in repentance, because they will eat from this comb. For this (8) comb is (full of the) spirit of life. And the bees of the paradise of delight have made this from the dew of the roses of life that are in the paradise of God. And all the angels of God eat of it and all the chosen of God and all the sons of the Most High, because this is a comb of life, and everyone who eats of it will not die for ever (and) ever.”

15 (9) And the man stretched out his right hand and broke a small portion off the comb, and he himself ate and what was left he put with his hand into Aseneth’s mouth, and said to her, “Eat.” And she ate. 16 And the man said to Aseneth, “Behold, you have eaten bread of life, and drunk a cup of immortality, and been anointed with ointment of incorruptibility. Behold, from today your flesh (will) flourish like flowers of life from the ground of the Most High, and your bones will grow strong like the cedars of the paradise of delight of God, and untiring powers will embrace you, and your youth will not see old age, and your beauty will not fail for ever. And you shall be like a walled mother-city of all who take refuge with the name of the Lord God, the king of the ages.” 16x And the man stretched out his right hand and touched the comb where he had broken off (a portion), and it was restored and filled up, and at once it became whole as it was in the beginning.

872 words
Reading 9

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note that Aseneth offers here to give food to the Man from Heaven, but in the end He is the one who provides the food for her to give to Him, and indeed He is the one who feeds her, although He partakes as well. We may well see in this an image of the Eucharist, in which the Lord is the One Who offers and is offered, and in which it is His gifts which are offered to Him for the sake of all and for all. The use of honeycomb here may simply reflect that this Food which God gives to us is indeed the sweetest and most desirable of all food. The words that He speaks to her after she has eaten from the honeycomb are very similar, as well, to what are said after we receive Holy Communion: “Behold, this has touched your lips, and the Lord takes away your iniquities, and your sins are covered.”)

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)

Acts 8:4-25 (Philip Preaches in Samaria)

Last week, we saw Stephen conclude his defense before the Sanhedrin by indicting them all for their rejection of the Lord, as children indeed of the children of Israel under Moses, who had constantly rejected his guidance and rebelled against him and against God. At the end, he raised his eyes to heaven and proclaimed that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and this stirred them to utter madness, and they rushed at him, dragged him away, and stoned him. After his death, Saul of Tarsus began a violent persecution of the Church, and those who were not thrown into prison scattered from Jerusalem. This time, we will see where some of them go.

Philip Preaches in Samaria

4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7 for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10 All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John[d] laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” 24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you[e] have said may happen to me.”

25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.

Reading 14 – 476 words

Discussion questions:

1) What did you notice in today’s reading? What surprised you or what was memorable to you? (The Leader should note two things. First, that although Philip can baptize, he cannot lay hands on those who have been baptized for them to receive the Holy Spirit; this requires the Apostles themselves, and this laying on of hands is at the root of the consecration of the Chrism, by which the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit is granted even to the present day to those who have been baptized. Second, we should note the presence of Simon Magus, this magician who desires to pay for the power of the Apostles. Although he appears to repent here, the oldest traditions of the Church say that he apostatized and became the originator of the terrible heresy of Gnosticism which plagued the Church for centuries.)

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?