Saturday Readings

Acts 7:30-38
“Forty years later, an angel appeared to him in the desert near Mount Sinai in the flame of a burning bush. When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look at it, the voice of the Lord came, ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.’ Then Moses, trembling, did not dare to look at it. But the Lord said to him, ‘Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. I have witnessed the affliction of my people in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come now, I will send you to Egypt.’ This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who appointed you ruler and judge?’ God sent as (both) ruler and deliverer, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the desert for forty years. It was this Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you, from among your own kinsfolk, a prophet like me.’ It was he who, in the assembly in the desert, was with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai and with our ancestors, and he received living utterances to hand on to us.

John 16:29-33
His disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”

In church we have the idea of “holy ground.” This is why in some of the various traditions dirt (such as potted plants or shoes), animal products (such as leather belts), and non-ordained people are not allowed into the sanctuary. In the ancient temple in Jerusalem, all were forbidden from entering the holy of holies except the high priest once a year after offering a sacrifice for himself. When Moses visited with God on Mount Sinai after the crossing of the Red Sea, the mountain was so Holy that animals were not allowed to graze near it. When we enter a church, do we enter respectful of the fact that God is there, that he has made the place holy, so that we can be made holy? Do we quiet our minds and lips to pray? Do we spiritually lay aside all dirt of sin, all of the trappings of the world, and consecrate ourselves anew to the love of God?

24 June 2017
Birth of John the Baptist
SYNAXARION
In both the scriptures and in the Church’s liturgy, John the Baptizer is referred to as an angel, prophet, apostle, hermit and martyr, for these terms well describe his life and work. John, like the angels, was sent from God to be the messenger of the Lord. His message was that of the prophets who came before him: repent for the Messiah of God is at hand. Like the apostles who followed him, John pointed to Jesus and proclaimed Him as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” He prepares for his ministry as a hermit in the desert, living a life of prayer, fasting and continence. And, like all those who dare to proclaim the truth, he suffered a martyr’s death in fidelity to the Word of God.
John, in fact, closely resembles the Lord Jesus in his birth, life and death. As Jesus was perfect, so John sought out, not only personal perfection, but also the perfect One, Jesus Christ.
The birth of John was announced by the Archangel Gabriel who would also announce Christ’s birth. His birth, like that of the Lord, was surrounded by improbability and wonder. For an aged couple with no hope of offspring, the angel gives the joyful news of the birth of a son, John. While in the womb, John was sanctified for his mission of preaching repentance and point out the Messiah. Before their births, Jesus and John encountered one another in the persons of their mothers. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, John, still in the womb, jumped for joy as he recognized the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Thus John was born to grace before his human birth. Since he was to prepare the Lord’s way, it was only proper that he should be prepared by God’s grace for his prophetic work. May the prayers of John the Baptizer be with us. Amen.
READINGS FROM THE EUCHARIST OF THE DAY
Galatians 4:21-5:1
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. Hagar represents Sinai, a mountain in Arabia; it corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery along with her children. But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother. For it is written:
“Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband.”
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise. But just as then the child of the flesh persecuted the child of the spirit, it is the same now. But what does the scripture say?
“Drive out the slave woman and her son! For the son of the slave woman shall not share the inheritance with the son”
of the freeborn. Therefore, brothers, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman.
For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
Luke 1:57-66
When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,” and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard these things took them to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
PRAYER – Qolo from the Hoosoyo for Safro for the Memorial of a Martyr according to the Prayer of the Faithful of the Maronite Rite
Holy are You, O God; for You the martyrs underwent all tortures and endured persecution.
Holy are You, O Strong One; You breathed strength and courage into Your martyrs in the arena of martyrdom, and fearlessly they braved death.
Holy are You, O Immortal One; through You the martyrs found life in their deaths.
Lord, by the intercession of Your martyrs, grant Your believing servants a good end which will allow them to praise You, forever.