Fr. Hans Out of Town
Fr. Hans will be attending the Clergy Symposium at Antiochian Village (near Pittsburgh) all week. He is available by cell phone.
How Will our New Parish Grow?
It will grow only if we are faithful to Christ and His commandments. If we are faithful to Christ, then Christ Himself will bring those seeking Him to us. Why? Because He knows we will take care of them.
We love God by showing love to our neighbor.
How will a person seeking Christ but who knows nothing about Orthodoxy find our parish? Through you. Be open to our Lord bringing someone to you who He is leading to our Church. That is how it works.
The Sunday Scripture Readings
The Gospel Reading
(For Sixth Sunday of Matthew)
The Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew. (9:1-8)
At that time, Jesus got into a boat, crossed over and came to His own city. And behold, they brought to Him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.”
And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise
and walk’?But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— He then said to the paralytic—“Rise, take up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they marveled, and they glorified God, Who had given such authority to men.
The Epistle Reading
(For Prophet Elias)
Thou art a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek. The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit Thou on my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool
.
The Reading from the Epistle of St. James. (5:10-20)
Brethren, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the Name of the Lord. Behold, we call those blessed who were steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by Heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes and your no be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.
Elias was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heavens gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.
My brethren, if any one among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.