This Daily Devotion is to help our members and others reflect on the understanding of Christian service to our Lord.
Devotion for Sunday, February 7, 2021
The Rt. Rev. Archimandrite, Msgr. George Appleyard
An Invitation to Prayer
And the Temple of God in heaven was opened,
and the Ark of God’s Covenant was seen.
—And a great sign was seen in the sky,
a woman robed in the sun with the moon beneath her feet. Rev. 11:19 & 12:1
Psalm 51 (52)
Why do you boast of wickedness, you outlaw thug?
All day long your tongue plans injustice,
devising treachery like a sharp razor.
You love wickedness more than goodness,
deceit more than speaking the truth.
You love all the words that cause harm, lying tongue!
And so, may God destroy you forever;
may he grab you and pull you out of your house,
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The just will see it and be afraid,
and laugh at him and say,
“Look at the one who did not take God for his helper
but put his trust in his great wealth
and was emboldened by his own vanity!”
But I am like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God,
trusting in the mercy of God forever—
yes, for ages of ages!
I will acknowledge you forever for what you did,
and I will tend to your name,
for it has been the help of those devoted to you.
A letter from Basil to Candidianus, #3, part 2
One of the hired hands who lives with us here at Annesi, on the death of my servant—and without alleging any breach of contract with him, nor speaking with me, and without lodging any complaint, without asking me to give him a voluntary payment, without any threat of violence should he fail to get it—all of a sudden, with certain crazy people like himself, invaded my house, brutally assaulted the women in charge of it, broke down the doors and, after appropriating some of the contents for himself, told the rest they could help themselves if they liked, and carried off everything. I do not wish to be seen as the epitome of helplessness, and thus a suitable target for the violence of anyone who might like to attack me. Show me, then, I beg you now, that kindly interest which you have always shown in my affairs. My peace of mind can be secured only if I am assured of having your energy on my side. From my point of view, it would be quite punishment enough if the man were apprehended by the district magistrate and locked up for a short period in the jail. I am not only indignant at the treatment I have suffered, but I want security in the future.
A Prayer
O Most Holy Mother, intercede for us with our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, to rescue us from evil and make us happy with goodness, that he may cleanse us from vice and strengthen us in virtue, that he may bring us tranquility and keep us in peace in the company of those who are his own. Carry your Jesus to my heart as you once took him to the Temple. Amen!