Post-feast of the Transfiguration; Holy Apostle Matthias
Dormition Fast. Abstinence from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read
Acts 1:12-17,21-26; Luke 9:1-6
The simplicity of the Lord’s call might seem to complicate things. As he sends the twelve out he tells them to take nothing for the journey, except his authority and power. St Ambrose of Milan sees it differently. The lightness of the Lord’s load makes our feet swift to do his work. Further, the absence of earthly cares allows the heavenly message of the gospel to come into clear focus:
Jesus sent the apostles without sandals, without money, gold and silver, so that they would not carry earthly things with them. The one who seeks to do good is praised not for his sandals but for the swiftness and grace of his feet. The Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Therefore remove the sandals from your feet, that they may be beautiful for preaching the gospel.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Jesus’ words to his apostles have passed to the mystery of the liturgy. The cherubic hymn doesn’t just ask us to lay aside all earthly cares to lift us up to angelic praise in heaven but to send us out in apostolic mission.