10 Virgins and 8 Talents

Holy Tuesday

Today we heard more of the stories of Moses and Job. Remember that we started their stories yesterday morning? Today, we heard that Pharoah's daughter found Moses in a basket in the river among the reeds and that she took and adopted him as her own son. 

Then we heard about the destruction of Job's servants as well as the death of his children. All the wonderful things that God has given him have been taken away. What will he do now?




We also heard some new stories today! We mentioned last night that today we were remembering Jesus' parable of the Ten Virgins and the parable of the Talents. Today's Gospel tells us about both these stories.

The Wise Virgins entered the marriage feast with the bridegroom, the foolish were left outside!

Parable of the Ten Virgins 
In this story, there are 10 virgins awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom at a marriage feast. Five of them are wise, so they brought lamps and lots of extra oil (to make sure that the lights did not go out). The other five are very foolish indeed because they brought no extra oil. The groom is late, so they all decided to take a nap while they waited for him. In the middle of the night (this groom was very late!) everyone's is woken up: The bridegroom has arrived! The wise virgins get out their extra oil and relight their lamps, but the foolish virgins don't have any extra so they ask for some help. The wise virgins reply that if they share the oil there won't be enough to go around and no one will have any light! So the foolish versions have to go to the shops and buy some more oil. While they are away, the bridegroom comes and everyone one goes into the feast. Then the doors are shut. Finally the foolish virgins come back, but they have been locked out!! They knock and knock and cry "Lord, open for us!" But, all they hear back is "I don't know you." They have been left out of the feast because they were not prepared.


What the moral of the story? You don't know when Jesus is going to come, so be ready. Don't wait until the last minute and be caught unprepared because then you will miss out on the feast (ie. the kingdom of heaven).


Parable of the Talents
In this story Jesus tells us about a man who was about to go on a trip. He called all his servants together and put them in charge of his property while he was away. To one servant he have 5 talents (Talents are money, so lets just call them dollars for now), to another servant he have two dollars, and to another one dollar. Then the man went on his trip. While he was away, the first servant took his five dollars, did some trading, and came back with another five! The second servant took his two dollars, traded with them and made two more! The last servant took his one dollar and hid it in the ground. Now, when the man came back from his trip, he went to settle accounts with his servants, to see what they had done with his money. The first servant brought him ten dollars (the five he was given and the five he made) and the man was very happy! The second servant brought him 4 dollars (the two he got and the two he made) and the man was very happy! The last servant brought only the one dollar because he hadn't made any more money and the man was upset. He called the last servant lazy, saying that he ought to have done something with what he was give/n. Then he took the one dollar away from the last servant, gave it to the first servant who had ten dollars, and then threw the man out of his house.


What's the moral of the story? God gives us all gifts and we should use them instead of burying our heads in the sand and being too afraid to do anything. In the end, if we haven't done anything with the gifts God has given us, we will be sent away from him.


With these parables Jesus is trying to warn his disciples, and us too, that we had better do things with the life we are living now, because we do not know when the end will come. Now is the time to get to know God, to be prepared, and what better time then Holy Week, when there is so much going on. Even though today's stories might seem a bit harsh or scary, Jesus still lets us know that it is not too late. We still have time to be with him, so lets make the most of it!

Tonight's services:

Bridegroom Matins (last one!) 7PM

Oh, I almost forgot! There will be a special post coming today! Fr. Philip is going to answer some questions about Bridegroom matins. Be sure to look out for it!

Monday's Bridegroom

Monday Night (Tuesday) Bridegroom Matins

Tonight was the second Bridegroom Service of Holy Week. Just like last night (and this morning) the services are full of biblical stories!


In the Gospel we read about Jesus and his discussion with the Pharisees and Saducees, two educated groups of Jewish leaders. They ask Jesus many things, like should people pay taxes to the king or which is the greatest commandment? Jesus astounds them all by not only answering their questions, but asking them questions they can't answer. Jesus then scolds them all! He tells them that they are all too concerned with being leaders when they ought to be concerned about teaching people to love God! Jesus tells his disciples, "He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbles, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." He continues, scolding Jewish leaders with being too concerned about how they appear on the outside, how nice their robes are or how long their prayers are, when they should be concerned with how the appear on the inside--with the state of their soul. Jesus calls them "whitewashed tombs" because though they are nice and shiny on the outside, inside they are full of dead peoples bones (not so nice, eh?). He says that if you really want to be clean on the outside, you have to be clean on the inside first.


These words aren't just for the Pharisees and Sadducees, they are for us too! We shouldn't be concerned about how other people see us, whether or not it looks like we are being kind or truthful or prayerful, but if we actually are like that on the inside, doing things for others and being prayerful because we really love God.


Tonight we also heard about two of Jesus parables, or stories, which he told the disciples: the Parable of the 10 Virgins and the Parable of the Talents. These stories are actually read in Tuesday mornings Gospel, so we'll hear about them a title later on. Tomorrow we'll also hear more about Moses and Job!


There are certainly lots of things to hear and see the road to Easter/Pascha! So many stories! Old and New Testament, all of scripture seems to have something to say about what is happening to Jesus.


One last thing. . . .


If you were at church and listened very carefully to the hymns, you would have have heard a mention of Judas. He's already thinking about betraying Jesus.  We also heard over the past few days that the Pharisees are plotting the death of Jesus. The gears are in motion. . . .

Tomorrow's Services

Pre-Sanctified Liturgy 9AM

Bridegroom Matins (Last one!!) 7PM

Hope to see you there!

Holy Monday!

Holy Monday

This morning we continue with the same themes of last night. 

Joseph

and the fig tree

We also hear the first parts of the stories of some other well known figures from the Old Testament: Moses and Job. 

Why Moses and Job? Well, Moses is the one who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He delivered his people, just like Christ delivered us from slavery to sin and death. Job is the ultimate symbol of suffering, as we read that though he was blessed by God with many children, much land, and much wealth, he lost everything and yet never lost his faith in God.

We'll hear more about Moses and Job tomorrow.

Sorry, we have no picture's from today's liturgy. =( 

More pictures from St. George's this evening.

Tonight's service:

Bridegroom Matins 7PM

Hope to see you there!

The Bridegroom comes!

Sunday (Monday) Bridegroom Matins

"Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom he shall find awake. But he whom he shall find neglectful is verily unworthy. Behold, therefore, my soul. beware lest thou fallest into deep slumber, and the door of the kingdom be closed against thee, and thou be delivered to death. But be thou wakeful, crying, Holy, Holy, Holy are Thou O God. Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us."

- Troparion of Bridegroom Matins

Sunday night began the first service of Holy Week. The bright colors and the palms which had decorated the Church that morning are now taken down and replaced with black. The joyfullness of the morning has turned to sorrow.

During this service, the icon of Christ called "The Bridegroom" is brought out and placed in the middle of the church, while the choir chants the hymn above.

There are a few things we remember today. 

1.) The Story of Joseph: This is the same Joseph who we often think of as Joseph with the "coat of many colors." He was the 11th son of Jacob (also known as Israel). Joseph's brothers were extremely jealous of him because their father seemed to love Joseph best of all. One day Joseph's brothers took him and sold him to a band of slavers who then sold him into slavery in Egypt. There he worked for a high ranking official, who's wife wrongly accused Joseph and so her was thrown into prison. While in prison he began to interpret the dreams of some of the prisoners. Word of his abilities spread so far that when the Pharaoh himself was troubled with a dream, he asked Joseph to interpret. The Pharaoh then made Joseph his right hand man, governor of Egypt in charge of the people's care.

Why Joseph? Well, Joseph's story is taken as one of the earliest symbol's of Christ's suffering and resurrection. Joseph was mistreated by his brothers, enslaved and imprisoned, but in the end he rose to one of highest offices in Egypt and was able to help the Egyptians, and his own family, through a tough famine. Jesus will be mistreated, denied, and finally crucified, but in the end he will rise again and save all mankind.

2.) The Story of the Fig Tree: When Jesus was walking with his disciples he found that he was hungry and so he stopped beside a fig tree to get some of its fruit, but he found that the tree was bare--it had no fruit! Immediately the fig tree shriveled up and died. This tree was a symbol of those who, though they might appear outwardly to have faith, but they do not show the necessary fruits of virtue and righteousness, so they die. It is a reminder to all of us.

The journey continues. . . . .

Jesus has arrived!

Palm Sunday - Jesus Come to Jerusalem

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: 

behold, your King comes unto you: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt the foal of a donkey."

- Zechariah 9:9

Today is the day when the church celebrates Jesus coming into the city of Jerusalem. It is the days before Passover, and the crowds of people who are coming into Jerusalem have just heard about how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus, the King, enters into Jerusalem humbly, since is riding on a simple donkey rather than a majestic steed. Never the less, the crowds of people aren't going to let this event happen quietly. They shout "Hossannah!" "Hooray!" and wave branches of palm trees to show their excitement. In fact, they are causing such a commotion that the Pharisees ask Jesus to make them quiet down. Jesus says, "No. Even if all these people were to be silent, the rocks and stones would start to sing and praise God." The whole world celebrates the day when Jesus comes into Jerusalem, to begin his journey to the cross and the tomb--the journey which will save his people from death.

Palm Sunday at St. George's

 


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Fr. Philip and Fr. Edward bless the palms, pussywillows, and candles during Matins.



Today's Epistle Reading - Philippians 4:4-9

Today's Gospel Reading - John 12:1-18

 

We're celebrating too! The priests are decked out in their gold vestments. The choir and people sing loudly as we process around the church carrying candles and palms, just like they did in Jerusalem all those years ago. Young and old, parents and children, we are all here announcing to the world the good news of Christ!!

 

Are bad things going to happen to Jesus when he goes into Jerusalem? Sure, we know what will happen to Jesus this week, but we also know that He is going to rise from the dead and save all of us with him!! So for now, we celebrate!!

 

Tonight's Services:

Bridegroom Matins 7PM



Hope to see you there!

Lazarus Saturday

Day 1: Lazarus is alive!

What's happening today?

Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha and a dear friend of Jesus, has been dead for four days. The disciples had told Jesus that his good friend, Lazarus, was sick, but did not come to visit him because, as he told His disciples, "His sickness is not for death. It will be for the glory of God." 

When Jesus finally comes to Bethany, Lazarus is already dead. Mary and Martha tell Jesus that if he'd been there, then Lazarus wouldn't have died. Jesus asks to see where his friend had been buried. When he gets to the tomb Jesus cries for his friend. He then asks that they open the doors of the tomb. Mary protests, saying that there would be a smell (he's been dead for four days after all), but Jesus wants it opened anyway. He pauses for a moment to pray and then calls to into the tomb, "Lazarus come out!" Lo and behold, out walks Lazarus, with his grave clothes still wrapped around him. Jesus had raised him from the dead!

Word began to spread like wildfire about what Jesus had done. Jesus and His disciples are planning on going up to the big city, Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover. Lots of people were coming to the city for the feast, and soon they would all know about Lazarus. But, remember that the Jewish authorities are waiting in Jerusalem and plotting to condemn Jesus to death.

See the icon at the top of this post? Can you identify all the people and tell what they are doing? There sure is a lot going on!

What happening today at St. George?

Fr. Philip served Liturgy this morning for the feast.



The colors in the Church have changed from purple to white!!!

Epistle - Hebrews 12:29; 13:1-8

Gospel - John 11:1-45

There will be Vespers tonight at 5PM.

More updates after Vespers!

Tomorrow's services:

Palm Sunday

Matins 9AM

Divine Liturgy 10AM

Falafel Dinner following Liturgy and Procession

Bridegroom Matins at 7PM

Hope to see you there!!!

For Parents:

Speaking the Truth with Love: Lazarus Saturday Fr. Hopko
Alexander Schmemann Taking it Seriously

Holy Week Service Schedule

St. George's Holy Week Service Schedule

Lazarus Saturday - April 7th

Divine Liturgy 9AM

Great Vespers 5PM

Palm Sunday - April 8th

Noctourns 8:30AM

Matins 8:50AM

Divine Liturgy 10AM

Bridegroom Service 7PM

Holy Monday - April 9th

Presanctified Liturgy 9AM

Bridegroom Service 7PM

Holy Tuesday - April 10th

Presanctified Liturgy 9AM

Bridegroom Service 7PM

Holy Wednesday - April 11th

Presanctified Liturgy 9AM

Holy Oil Service 6:30PM

Holy Thursday - April 12th

Vesperal Liturgy 8:30AM

12 Passion Gospel Service 6:30PM

Holy (Good) Friday - April 13th

Royal Hours 9AM

Vespers 3PM

Lamentation Service 6:30PM

---- All Night Vigil ----

Holy Saturday - April 14th

Vesperal Liturgy 9AM

Nocturns 10PM

Rush Service 10:15

Matins 10:45

Divine Liturgy 11:30AM

Pashcal Dinner 1 AM

PASCHA (Easter) - April 15th

Agape Vespers 12PM (Noon)

For Parents:

The following are Kh. Anna and Sarah Marshall's suggestions for the best services for which to bring children because they have a lot to see and do.

Sunday night Bridegroom Service: This service is a wonderful introduction to Holy Week. During it, you see the changes from Lent to Holy Week and begin to understand that something different and special has begun.

Vespers on Good Friday afternoon: On Thursday evening, during the 12 Passion Gospels, a large crucifix is placed in the center of the church, because this is the time at which we remember Christ's crucifixion. On Good Friday, during the afternoon Vespers service, the icon of Christ is taken off the cross by the priest, and is placed in the tomb, just as we read in the Gospels. This icon is then carried around the church by a group of women acting as myrrhbearing women.

Holy Saturday morning: If Saturday night seems too late for some children, coming to liturgy Saturday morning on is a wonderful option. This liturgy is also referred to as the "first resurrection," because it is as this service when we remember the mryhbearing women finding the empty tomb. Christ has risen, but the whole world hasn't yet received the news. The church is filled with light and sprinkled with flowers. The first portion of the service is filled with Old Testament readings which tell the story of salvation history: Joseph and his brothers, the prophets Elijah and Elisha, the Exodus, Job, the three holy youths in the fiery furnace, Jonah and the whale, and others (all the story's we learned in Sunday school!!).

Paschal (Easter) Liturgy: This is the liturgy at which we celebrate Christ's resurrection! The Church is filled with the light of Christ and we take to the streets (quite literally) with candles and songs, proclaiming the glorious event!


Agape Vespers: Again, if you are unable to attend on Easter night, this is another wonderful option. The Church is filled with the same excitement and joy as it was on Pascha! Also, at this Vespers, the Gospel is read in many languages (at least 10) to symbolize the spreading of the good news of Christ resurrection around the world.

Holy Week Guide for Children

The Christian Education department of the OCA (Orthodox Church in America) has put together a wonderful My Guide to Holy Week for children (ages 10-12). If you are wondering how to help your children follow along during the services, this is a wonderful way! Fr. Edward also has a collection of Holy Week Guides for Children at the church. They will be available should you want one.

Lazarus has died!

The Death of Lazarus

Tonight, at pre-sanctified liturgy, we remembered that Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus, has died and was just recently buried.

We sang:

"Lazarus has now been two days dead in the tomb, and he sees the dead from all the ages. There he beholds the sights of terror, the prisoners of death, a multitude that no one can count. His sisters weep bitterly, looking upon his tomb, but Christ comes to bring his friend to life, that a single hymn of praise may be offered up with one accord by all: 'Blessed are you O Savior, have mercy on us!'"

Why do we remember the death of Lazarus? It's because in a few days, something miraculous is going to happen to him. Jesus is going to raise Lazarus from the dead!

But for now, Lazarus is in the tomb and Jesus is on his way to Bethany and then to Jerusalem. The journey has begun. . . .