Our Venerable Father Alypius the Stylite (610-41); James the Hermit (457); The Blessing of the Church of the Holy Great-Martyr George which is in Kiev, before the Gates of Holy Wisdom Cathedral (1019-54)
2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18; Luke 19:12-28
Nativity Fast. Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Read Luke 19:12-28
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
I’d like you, for a moment, to think about the many ways that our Lord has blessed you. Think about the abilities or talents He has given you. Think about the kind of life you live, the things you have and the people that are a part of your life. Thank God for lovingly bestowing upon you all that you have.
Now, I want you to think about something a little more challenging. Consider, for a moment, how you use that which our Lord has given you. Do you use your talents and abilities to help others? Do you strive to live your life in a fitting and worthy way? Do you appreciate the people that are a part of your life or do you neglect them?
Remember the words of the nobleman to his servants in today’s Gospel: “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Do not squander or neglect everything that our Lord has given you. He has given it to you so that you may use it; so that what you have may be a blessing for others so that the blessings can multiply and grow. Neglecting the God-given gifts of our lives or using them only for our personal satisfaction and gratification will lead to us losing them.