My child, you did not choose Me but I chose You.  I laid down My life for You and sent you My Spirit so that we could be one and My image could be formed in you.  Can you lay down your life for others?  Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies it cannot produce fruit.  My Spirit will give you more than enough strength to deny yourself and freely give to others.

Readings for Wednesday of the seventh week of the fifty Joyous Days

Vespers

Psalm

Psalm 119:130

The entrance of Your words gives light; 
        It gives understanding to the simple. 
 

Gospel

Lk 7:18-23 

Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" 

When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"' And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 

Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Matins

Psalm

Psalm 12:6 

The words of the LORD are pure words, 
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, 
Purified seven times. 

 

Gospel

Lk 7:24-28 

When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings' courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: 
        "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, 
        Who will prepare Your way before You.' 

For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

Liturgy

Pauline Epistle

Rom 8:28-39 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 
        "For Your sake we are killed all day long; 
        We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Catholic Epistle

3Jn 1:1-8 

The Elder, 

To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Acts

Acts 15:4-9 

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." 

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Psalm

Psalm 89:52 ; Psalm 89:49 

Blessed be the LORD forevermore! 
        Amen and Amen. Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses, 
        Which You swore to David in Your truth?

Gospel

Jn 15:12-16 

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

Lord, 

I want to practice the psalm which says, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil….”  The oil is Your Spirit, and apart from Him I cannot be like You.  I thank You for Your unsearchable love and I ask Your Spirit to help me show the same love to others even if I feel tired and worn.  

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).  The Holy Spirit is the source of true, perfect joy.  This joy lifts us up above our weaknesses and trials as though we had none.  It gives us the immense strength to endure them until they pass.  The condition to receiving this joy is to love one another since the Holy Spirit does not rest upon a divided Body of Christ.

Readings for Tuesday of the seventh week of the fifty Joyous Days

Vespers

Psalm

Psalm 48:1 

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised 
In the city of our God, 
In His holy mountain. 

 

Gospel

Mk 9:14-29 

And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. And He asked the scribes, "What are you discussing with them?" 

Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not." 

He answered him and said, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. 

So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" 

And he said, "From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." 

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." 

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" 

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!" Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, "He is dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 

And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 

So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

Matins

Psalm

Psalm 138:1 

I will praise You with my whole heart; 
Before the gods I will sing praises to You. 

 

Gospel

Lk 6:12-16 

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

Liturgy

Pauline Epistle

Rom 8:22-27 

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. 

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Catholic Epistle

2Jn 1:8-13 

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 

Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 

The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

Acts

Acts 14:20-23 

And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Psalm

Psalm 13:6 ; Psalm 13:5 

I will sing to the LORD, 
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
But I have trusted in Your mercy; 
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 

Gospel

Jn 15:9-15 

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing.

Lord, 

Help me to love others as You have shown me.  Your Holy Spirit will help me and will give me joy to persevere through all difficulties, showing me that there is joy in giving myself for others. 

I have been glorified together with Christ and now I will also receive His Spirit, His life.  The Holy Spirit is the one who will connect me to the Father and allow me to abide in Christ.  Abiding in Him does not mean that I will never fall—rather it means that I always desire to be with Him even though I may sin.  The Holy Spirit will work with the deep longings of my heart to draw me closer to Him more and more.

Readings for Monday of the seventh week of the fifty Joyous Days

Vespers

Psalm

Psalm 22:2 

O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent. 

 

Gospel

Lk 4:38-41 

Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. 

When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!" 

And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

Matins

Psalm

Psalm 119:164 ; Psalm 119:165 

Seven times a day I praise You, 
Because of Your righteous judgments. 
165Great peace have those who love Your law, 

 

Gospel

Lk 4:42-end ; Lk 5:1-3 

Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Liturgy

Pauline Epistle

Rom 8:12-17 

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Catholic Epistle

2Jn 1:1-8 

The Elder, 

To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 

I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

Acts

Acts 14:19-23 

Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Psalm

Psalm 81:8 ; Psalm 81:6 

Arise, O God, judge the earth; 
For You shall inherit all nations.
I said, "You are gods, 
And all of you are children of the Most High. 

Gospel

Jn 15:1-8 

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Thank You O Lord for sending me Your Holy Spirit just so that I can be one with You forever; You love me so much.  I ask You to help me abide in You because You are my life.