Post-feast of Theophany; Martyrs of Pratulin; Our Holy Father Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa (after 394); the Venerable Dometian, Bishop of Miletene (582-602); Our Venerable Father Marcian, Presbyter and Econome of the Great Church (450-57)
A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read
James 2:1-13; Mark 10:23-32
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
The Gospel touches on every aspect of our life, even the financial. While we are prone to compartmentalize our life, what we do with money has a lot to do with our faith. What we do with money teaches us what we value. Very often a quick look at where our money is directed will tell us where our priorities are. Sometimes, what we think are our priorities doesn’t match the data of cash flow.
Christ comes to heal all relationships, even our relationships with money. St. Clement of Alexandria says this: “Let this teach the prosperous that they are not to neglect their own salvation as if they had been already foredoomed, nor, on the other hand, to cast wealth into the sea, or condemn it as a traitor and an enemy to life, but learn in what way and how to use wealth and obtain life.” (Shall the Rich be Saved?)
The Gospel says it’s difficult, but not impossible. St. Augustine says, while it’s difficult to be saved with money, it’s impossible if we love it, for its confusion of loves corrupts our ability to love God. We need to learn how to use money, not casting it into the sea, but holding all things in captivity to Christ.