This web site contains copyrighted material and information which is governed under the following statute:
Click on the link below to read 17 USC CHP. 1. §107
20080329
Take up your cross and follow me...
Epistle Reading: For Sunday March 30, 2008
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6)
Gospel Reading: For Sunday March 30, 2008
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power." (Mark 8:34-38; 9:1)
This Sunday in the Orthodox Church is dedicated to the Holy Cross. One of three such days dedicated to the Holy Cross throughout the ecclesiastical year. This particular day, is dedicated to carrying our cross and following Christ, as our Lord and Savior. We are approaching the mid-point of Great Lent, and this day is aptly placed, as not only an inspiration, but also a warning. This past week we celebrated the Annunciation to the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary). God sent his Archangel Gabriel to deliver this wondrous message. This Sunday we see and hear the continuation of this message –that being, we must follow Christ; we must take up our cross and follow Him.
The Holy Cross is truly a paradox in Christian theology. God has taken an instrument of death and made it the Tree of Life. He has, through His Son, destroyed death by death and granted life. The message of the Cross is often times misinterpreted or misused to represent an agenda for which it was never intended. The message of the Cross is one of sacrifice. Sacrifice to and for God Himself. The Gospel is clear that if we lose our lives for His sake then we gain the Kingdom of Heaven, life-everlasting. This is the inspiration in the message of the Gospel lesson for today. It provides us with the assurance that God has not forsaken His creation. He has a “grand plan”, if you will, that provides for the salvation of His people, and not simply His people but the whole of creation, His creation.
The warning in this Gospel message is that if we fail to take up our cross and follow God then we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The Gospel says, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his life.” What is the profit indeed? Do not money and riches rot and decay? Yes they do indeed. The goal of this journey, taking up our cross, is not to gain wealth and riches here on earth. Although that may happen, and it should be realized that God is not against His people being successful and rich. The goal of the journey is to be deified, to recognize that we indeed are made in the image and likeness of God Himself. Our duty and responsibility lie in serving God and God alone.
Recently, I have been reading the Old Testament and the recurring theme in texts I have been reading is the disobedience of God’s people, in this case Israel. Yet our disobedience as Christians in my mind is worse than Israel’s could have ever been. It is more of an affront to God, because He has provided the means of escaping death, He has provided the path to salvation. Through Christ we now have the path to salvation lit and paved; the path has been charted out and made safe. Christ should be our guide. He has traveled the unknown path into Hades and trampled down death. He has broken down the gates of Hades and shown us the way to Heaven. Salvation is at our door step. The only question we must ask ourselves is whether or not we will take up our cross and follow that path.
I pray your remaining journey through this Lenten season be a blessed one!
BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, "Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee"; as he says also in another place, "Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6)
Gospel Reading: For Sunday March 30, 2008
The Lord said: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power." (Mark 8:34-38; 9:1)
This Sunday in the Orthodox Church is dedicated to the Holy Cross. One of three such days dedicated to the Holy Cross throughout the ecclesiastical year. This particular day, is dedicated to carrying our cross and following Christ, as our Lord and Savior. We are approaching the mid-point of Great Lent, and this day is aptly placed, as not only an inspiration, but also a warning. This past week we celebrated the Annunciation to the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary). God sent his Archangel Gabriel to deliver this wondrous message. This Sunday we see and hear the continuation of this message –that being, we must follow Christ; we must take up our cross and follow Him.
The Holy Cross is truly a paradox in Christian theology. God has taken an instrument of death and made it the Tree of Life. He has, through His Son, destroyed death by death and granted life. The message of the Cross is often times misinterpreted or misused to represent an agenda for which it was never intended. The message of the Cross is one of sacrifice. Sacrifice to and for God Himself. The Gospel is clear that if we lose our lives for His sake then we gain the Kingdom of Heaven, life-everlasting. This is the inspiration in the message of the Gospel lesson for today. It provides us with the assurance that God has not forsaken His creation. He has a “grand plan”, if you will, that provides for the salvation of His people, and not simply His people but the whole of creation, His creation.
The warning in this Gospel message is that if we fail to take up our cross and follow God then we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The Gospel says, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his life.” What is the profit indeed? Do not money and riches rot and decay? Yes they do indeed. The goal of this journey, taking up our cross, is not to gain wealth and riches here on earth. Although that may happen, and it should be realized that God is not against His people being successful and rich. The goal of the journey is to be deified, to recognize that we indeed are made in the image and likeness of God Himself. Our duty and responsibility lie in serving God and God alone.
Recently, I have been reading the Old Testament and the recurring theme in texts I have been reading is the disobedience of God’s people, in this case Israel. Yet our disobedience as Christians in my mind is worse than Israel’s could have ever been. It is more of an affront to God, because He has provided the means of escaping death, He has provided the path to salvation. Through Christ we now have the path to salvation lit and paved; the path has been charted out and made safe. Christ should be our guide. He has traveled the unknown path into Hades and trampled down death. He has broken down the gates of Hades and shown us the way to Heaven. Salvation is at our door step. The only question we must ask ourselves is whether or not we will take up our cross and follow that path.
I pray your remaining journey through this Lenten season be a blessed one!
