|
Sunday of Zacchaeus - Overcoming Vanity
Today's Gospel is about vanity and about the way in which it can be overcome, indeed about the condition and the cost of it....
St. John Climacus says to us that the way to get rid of vanity is humility ... The way of humility is that of bowing before the judgment of God... [to] lie before Him like the parched earth before the face of the sky, abandoned, helpless, thirsty, hungry, longing, desperate not to be able to achieve what we wish to achieve - this is the beginning of humility.
But even that may be too much for us, even that may be too difficult for us because we are not used to letting go, to abandon ourselves, offer ourselves to an act of God. Then we can begin to overcome vanity by gratitude. Whenever we discover that there is in us a moment of vanity, let us ask ourselves: why? Very often, it is because we have, inadvertently quite often, said the right thing, or inadvertently done the right thing; we can then turn to God and thank Him that He gave us the opportunity, that He gave us eyes to see the need, ears to hear a cry, a mind to understand, a heart to respond, good will to bring us into motion and the means to do the right thing. Are not these reasons enough for us to be grateful? We know, from experience, that the need will not inevitably call out of us the right response. How often there is a need and our heart is parched, and cold, and indifferent? How often someone cries for help and we understand nothing, how often our heart has been stirred and our mind began to understand, but we are not used to compel ourselves and our will wavers, and wavers too long, until it is too late... Let us learn first of all to be grateful that God gives us the possibility to do right instead of preening ourselves being proud of the fact that for once we have done only what should always be natural to us.
- from a sermon of Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) 1978 |
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Service cancellation policy:
- No one should travel to church for services if the road conditions are dangerous.
- No services will be cancelled.
- Those who cannot get to services should instead stay home, give thanks to God, be happy that at least a priest and a chanter are singing the services and praying for them.
- Good church etiquiette also suggests staying home if you are sick or feel like you are coming down with an illness.
All services are held at the Cathedral unless otherwise noted.
Please watch the Messenger and website for places/times of other services.
Schedule of ServicesWednesday, February 13
6:15 p.m. Great Vespers
Thursday, February 14
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Saturday, February 16
9:30 a.m. Moin Baptism
5:00 p.m. Vespers
Sunday, February 17
38th Sunday after Pentecost
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee (Beginning of the Lenten Triodion) + Parastas Sunday
7:45 a.m. Matins @ Cathedral
9:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy @ Cathedral
Parastas: (memorial service) @ Cathedral for Mary Cook, Peter Brueggeman, John Aguilar, Lorraine & John Sodd, Susan Bourgerie, Nick Josul, Margaret Wojciak, Elena Fredrikson
NOTE: Elevators available at both the Cathedral and the Parish Center.
| This Week's EventsMonday, February 11
Church Office Closed
NO Perohi
7:00 p.m. Board Meeting (former, current, and newly elected board)
Tuesday, February 12
NO Perohi
6:30 p.m. Iconography Group
7:00 p.m. Balalaika Rehearsal
Wednesday, February 13
6:00 p.m. Slovak Class
7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
Friday, February 15
NO Perohi Sales
7:00 p.m. MEOCCA Choir Rehearsal (Cathedral Choir Loft)
Sunday, February 17
11:00 a.m. Church School @ Parish Center
11:50 a.m. Cathedral Choir Rehearsal @ Cathedral
11:50 a.m. Carpathian Dance Practice @ Parish Center
7:30 p.m. Floor [email protected] Parish Center Gym
|
|
|
|
