22nd Sunday after Pentecost

Title

Living in the Works of Christ

Outline

The first thing we learned in the readings today was that a God-fearing ethic identity, even if all the rules are kept, is useless.

“For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

The important thing is to identify with the crucified Christ, reject the values of the non-Jesus world, and give our lives to him and with him for the good of those around us.

Our Gospel puts this in narrative

The unnamed rich man, apparently in high repute in his community, from a family that knew Moses and the Prophets - but he cannot see what that has to do with Lazarus

A named poor man, destitute, beggar, unclean due to his sores

While he was at the rich man’s gate, the only ones who show pity are the unclean dogs, who get to eat the scraps that Lazarus needed. They show the mercy of licking his sores.

Death separates them in a different way - Lazarus is carried to “Abraham’s bosom” or paradise, and the rich man is buried and ends up in hell - Luke’s reversal of fortunes theme

The rich man still wants to use Lazarus, but never addresses him, only Abraham - the rich man wants at least a small mercy for himself, but definite grace for his brothers.

The bottom line is that they need to obey what they know, follow Moses’ teaching - miracles do not miraculously change hearts

So let us remember this lesson:

The rites and ceremonies of the Byzantine Catholic Church along with its customs are good, but only good if we let them point us to a deeper obedience to Jesus

The Scriptures are good and life-giving, but only if we left them point us to Jesus

It is our identification with the crucified Jesus that leads to our laying aside the values of this age and serving those in need as he did - he gave his life for all

It is in that obedience that faith becomes more than ideas and receives the works that make it truly saving

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 11-21-2021: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

EPISTLE

Galatians 6:11–18

11  See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16  Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God.

17 Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 10-20-2024: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

(22nd Sunday, Slavic)

Luke 16:19–31

19 “There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20  And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22  The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25  But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29  But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30  And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.’ ”

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 11-21-2021: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

On the same date: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple

Matins Gospel John 21:15–25

Epistle Galatians 6:11–18

Gospel Luke 12:16–21 (26th Sunday)

St Arethas and other martyrs (m 523)