Commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council; Octoechos Tone 3; The Holy Apostle Philip, One of the Seven Deacons; Our Venerable Father Theophanes the Branded, Composer of Canons.
Hebrews 13:7-16; John 17:1-13.
Read Hebrews 13:7-16
Transitions are especially significant times in our lives. Pursuing education, a career change, relocation, beginning or ending a relationship – whether a decision to change comes with confident resolve or tentative hope, we are active in our choices rather than passive bystanders. But life has a way of making us aware of risks, past failures, and uncertainties. If we are capable of choosing a new thing over our status quo, we are also not immune to second guessing our new choice. The post-transition period can bring unexpected emotional, psychological, and social challenges as the dust settles and a new reality begins.
In a growing life of faith in Jesus Christ, we are repeatedly in transition. As we grow in knowledge, we experience moments of greater understanding which call us to further acts of faith, which in turn reveal more of Jesus Christ to us and us to ourselves. Sometimes we feel supported in that; sometimes we experience push back from others. Sometimes we experience that push back as coming from within ourselves.
Our constant reference point in a world of change is Jesus Christ, “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Whatever we’re going through, he’s been there and is with us in it.
The outcome of the lives of the saints, and those with us who are living lives worthy of imitation, witness to the effectiveness of the spirituality we are engaged in.
Liturgical worship provides an eternal perspective and a renewing relationship to good works in our daily lives.
The cumulative effect of living in awareness of God’s blessing and the pleasure he takes in us stabilizes us through successive changes such that others can then consider the outcome of our lives and begin to imitate our faith.