Saturday after the Nativity of Christ. Two Thousand Martyrs Who Were Burned in Nicomedia (303). Passing into eternal life (1945) of Blessed Hryhoriy (Gregory) Khomyshyn, Bishop of Stanyslaviv (Ivano-Frankivsk) and martyr.
1 Timothy 6:11-16. Matthew 12:15-21.
Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16
What are you aiming at? It is not enough to simply avoid doing what is wrong in life, but seeking and striving for the good, for holiness, is essential.
In our epistle reading today, St. Paul instructs his spiritual son, and now bishop, Timothy, to avoid the priorities and lies of the world through the pursuit of riches in favour of striving after holiness. One of the important virtues that is highlighted in his list is “gentleness” or “meekness.” In a Christian sense, it is important not to equate this with “weakness” but with a type of quite strength and equanimity. It is the virtue that hold’s one’s ground instead of losing one’s temper and strives for peace and conciliation. This is an important virtue to aim at and purse for all clerics and laity alike.
As we continue to celebrate the Lord’s Nativity in the flesh, let us embrace this virtue of true gentleness, modeling ourselves after the Godman who emptied Himself, being born in a cave and laid in a manger for our salvation!
St. Ambrose writes:
Let godliness move you to justice, continence, gentleness, that you may avoid childish acts, and that rooted and grounded in grace you may fight the good fight of faith. Do not entangle yourself in the affairs of this life, for you are fighting for God. For he who fights for the emperor is forbidden by human laws to enter upon lawsuits or do any legal business or sell merchandise. How much more ought he who enters upon the warfare of faith to keep away from every kind of business. Let him be satisfied with the produce of his own little bit of land, if he has it. If he has not that, let him be content with the pay he will get for his service. (Duties of the Clergy 1.36.184)