advent

February 2 - Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple

Hail, O Lady full of grace, Virgin and Mother of God; for, from you has been born the Son of Justice, Christ our God, who illuminates those who reside in darkness.  Elder Simeon rejoice as well, for you bore in your arms the Redeemer and Resurrection of our souls. – Troparion of the Feast of the Presentation

Join us as we conclude our journey that we began back in Advent, meditating upon the words of St. Luke and St. Romanos the Melodist.

This podcast may be concluding but our journey in the footsteps of God is only beginning.  The Presentation of Christ is not only an example for us to follow of obedience to God, it is also instrumental in our salvation.  Just as Christ humbled himself so as to be born by Simeon, so does the one who holds the universe in his hands humble himself so that we might receive him as well - that we might also say to God that we too have seen our salvation.

Be sure to visit Catholic:Under The Hood and see my video reflection on the Icon of the Presentation and subscribe to the Theosis podcast as we continue our spiritual journey through Lent and Easter.

Today the gate of heaven opens, for the Eternal Word of the Father had been born in time without any loss to his divinity.  He is offered by a Virgin Mother as a forty-day old child in the Temple of the Law.  The elder Simeon takes Him in his arms and the servant cries out to his Master, “Dismiss me, for my eyes have seen Your salvation!”  O Lord who came into the world to save humanity, all glory be to You!” – Vespers of the Feast of the Presentation

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February 2

February 1 - Forefeast of the Presentation

The Angelic choirs gazed down from the heights of heaven to see upon the earth the First Fruits of all creation borne into the Temple, as a little child in the arms of an Immaculate Mother.  Together with us, they joyfully sing praise in preparation of the feast. – Troparion of the Forefeast of the Presentation

Our meditation today comes from the Gospel of Luke and the words of Saint Clement which speak to us once more that our our journey of following the footsteps of Grace has only begun.  As we prepare for celebrating the Feast of the Presentation tomorrow, let us vow to strive ever more to open ourselves to the love of God and to share that love with others.

The Word that is unseen with the Father is now seen in the flesh, having been wondrously born of the Virgin and is placed in the arms of the priest and elder.  Therefore, let us worship the One Who is our True God. – Kontakion of the Forefeast of the Presentation

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February 1

January 31

We meditate today upon the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans and the words of Saint Theodoret of Cyr which speak to us of our calling to become united to Christ, to be conformed to him.  We are called to follow Christ's example and through his grace we receive the ability to live that example.  This call, this grace is offered to everyone.

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January 31

January 30 - Feast of The Three Holy Hierarchs Basil the Great, Gregory Nazianzen and John Chrysostom

Let us assemble together to praise with hymn and son the three great lights of the Holy Trinity, the Sun.  They illuminate the universe with the rays of their holy doctrine, which flows with sweet rivers of wisdom and refreshes the deserts with the quenching knowledge of God: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John the Golden Tongued.  Let us raise our voices in hymn and sing our love for their teachings, for they continually pray for us before the Holy Trinity. – Troparion for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs

Our meditation for today's feast comes from the Gospel of Matthew and the words of Saint John Chrysostom.  In following the footsteps of Christ, we are called to be lights to the world.  In being light we imitate the Light and show forth the presence of our Savior.  The Three Holy Hierarchs were themselves great lights in the world because they gave their whole lives over in service to God.  Let us strive to follow their example as well.

Lord, you have taken into heaven and to the enjoyment of all good things Your holy proclaimers of the divine truths and the examples for teachers.  You have accepted their struggles and sufferings over any burnt offering, for You alone glorify Your saints! – Kontakion for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs

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January 30

January 29

We meditate today upon the Letter to the Galatians and words of Saint John Cassian which speak to our need to treat one another with the same mercy that we seek to receive from God.  Each of us struggles in this world to do what is right and so each of us needs help as we strive to follow Christ - we must be open to the grace of God and we must be willing to share that grace with others.

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January 29

January 28

Our meditation today comes from the Gospel of John and the Second Letter of Clement that speak to us of the greatest commandment - to love one another as God loves us.  How appropriate it is to meditate upon these words as we approach the Feast of the Presentation - that visible sign of God's love.  How appropriate it is to meditate upon these words in light of Pope Benedict's recent encyclical.  As we come to the Feast of the Presentation, let us strive to follow Christ's example of love, so that in our love Christ might be made manifest.

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January 28

January 27

Our meditation for today comes from the Gospel of Matthew and the words of St. Leo the Great which speak to us of the great commandment to love God and neighbor.  If we wish to follow the example of Jesus, to follow his way - this way is to strive to love as God loves.  Moreover, if we show that love to others, we continue our call to be bearers of the love of God, to be bearers of Christ in the world.  We reveal to others the love that God has revealed to us, in turn calling others to join us on our journey of faith.

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January 27

January 26

We meditate today upon the First Epistle of Saint John and words from Saint Cyprian which speak to our need to follow the example of the one who is the Light.  Answering the call means living in the light, it means striving to fill ourselves with the Light of Life.  For this reason, Christ is showing us example after example of holiness, that we might imitate him and be filled with his holiness.

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January 26

January 25 - Feast of Our Father Among the Saints, Saint Gregory Nazianzen

The sweet song of your theological teaching has drowned out the noisy sounds of the orators.  God has given you the gifts of looking into spiritual depths and expressing mystical truths.  Our Father Gregory, pray to Christ our God that He may save our souls. – Troparion for the Feast of Gregory

We meditate today upon the Second Letter to the Corinthians and the words of Saint Gregory Nazianzen that speak of our call to imitate Christ so as to become like him and be filled with his holiness.  Our purpose is to become united with the Father through the Son and the Spirit.  The Father offers his mercy, it is up to us to respond.

O Great Gregory, your knowledge of theology has answered the difficulties raised by the rhetoricians.  You have clothed the Church with orthodox theology inspired from above.  The Church adorns itself with these clothes and joins us your children, “Praise to you, O Father, whose knowledge of theology is so great.” – Kontakion for the Feast of Gregory

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January 25

 

January 24

We meditate today upon the Gospel of John and the words of Saint Ephrem which speak of the good news that we who are weak have been given the ability to become like Christ, we who are broken can be filled with the grace of the holy.  Though we face struggles, we can succeed through the power of God but it is important to keep hope and to persevere in the race.  The Father has promised this and will make it so.

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January 24