34th =Week After Pentecost v SATURDAY

Today-s readings, followed by a few pastoral & personal thoughts.



2 Timothy 2:11-19 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with
him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign
with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not,
yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put
them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not
about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and
vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And
their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is
past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart
from iniquity.



Luke 18:2-8 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God,
neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came
unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a
while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor
regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her,
lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear
what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I
tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of
man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?





?Though all deny Thee, I will not deny thee.¦



Upon hearing the Lord's question: "Nevertheless when the Son of man
cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?", within the heart of the
Christian must spring up the words "Though all deny thee, I will not
deny thee" Cf. Matthew 26:35: ?Peter said unto him, Though I should die
with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the
disciples.¦, Mar 14:31 ?But he spake the more vehemently, If I should
die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they
all¦., coupled with a holy fear that asks "Is it I, Lord?" Mar 14:19 And
they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and
another said, Is it I? 



For all Christians can deny or proclaim the Lord Jesus, moment by
moment. As moments stretch into minutes, and minutes hours, and hours
days, it may be that for the sleepy and slothful servant, days would
become years and years a lifetime - spent squandering his inheritance,
having long forgotten the buried talent. 



The Lord is referring here not only to the day when He comes at the end
of all things, to judge the living and the dead, but also, we must
consider his promise of visitation upon the earth to be being fulfilled
right now, at this moment, in our lives. 



If we were to die today, for us the end of all things is upon us, and
the Lord-s question will receive its final answer from us. Will He find
faith in us? Will He look within us, as if we are glass, for all things
are known to Him, and see His carefully cared for image within us? If He
does not find this image, crafted by our repentance into His perfect
likeness, then He will say "depart from me, for I do not know you!" Cf.
Mat 25:41  ?Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart
from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and
his angels¦ This theme has been mentioned many times in homilies at St
Nicholas.  



His question to us, ?will He find faith upon the earth¦, must be
answered by every person, at every moment. It is not a question that
gives us time for preparation. It asks us right now: Are you living with
faith? Are you persevering? Are you burnishing my image, which I have
implanted into you, and fed with my body and refreshed by the waters of
baptism into my likeness? 



It is clear from ascripture that the vast majority of men will be
speechless. 



Commentary- 14 pt Times New Roman





Bibliography

The Explanation of the Holy Gospel according to St Luke, by Blessed
Theophylact, published by Chrysostom Press -
http://www.chrysostompress.org/. ALL FOUR BOOKS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!





Priest Seraphim 2009.                                                   
                                             St Nicholas Russian
Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas 

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