Morning Prayer - A Communion of the Faithful

In Orthodox Christian Tradition, every Divine Liturgy begins with the preceding Evening Vespers in light of the Scripture account of Creation, when Evening precedes Morning to form a Day. 

(Genesis Chapter 1). 

In Liturgical Homily this week, our Priest emphasized again the importance of the Liturgical Order and Prayers, to come prepared knowing with whom we are participating in Holy Communion. To illustrate further, He used the verses of morning hymn of the Holy Qurbana - ' Nishthayil  Ninne Petta .." to show how we are participating together with St. Mary, the Prophets, Apostles, the Saints and fathers, the  Faithful departed  and the Angels to worship and sing praises to our Lord and God. Achen asked each of us to reflect how carelessly and complacent we have become in our weekly participation, coming much later after the service has started when it the only time available for us all to come together and pay our tithe in Prayer.

The question points whether as an individual and as a whole we of the Malankara Orthodox Church could have used more appropriately the resources our Orthodox Christian faith and traditions of the West Syrian Church we inherited from the 17th Century for our use. I wish someone was there to explain these in my childhood while singing these hymns in Malayalam without realizing the true meaning while at the same time wonder even if such resources were available would have the temperament to be receptive.

Ministry of Liturgical Resource Development from our Diocese was initiated in 2015 to ensure future generations participate more fully in English and grow in knowledge and faith for His glory. With Prayers,Sharing the Morning Hymn from the English the Service Book of the Holy Qurbono by this Ministry, authorized by Holy Synod for Publishing in 2017.

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With Mary, Who carried You nine months in her womb by Your will, Make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God . With the Holy Virgin , Who bore You in purity , Make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God.

With the True Prophets, Who prophesied of Your coming , Make us worthy to sing praise to You, O Lord God. With the Holy Apostles, who proclaimed Your Gospel among the peoples, make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God.

With Martyrs and Confessors, Who endured torments and pain, Make us worthy To sing praise to You, O Lord God. With the Holy Fathers and Doctors of Orthodox Faith , Make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God.

With  Saint Basil the Great and Noble Saint Gregory, Make us worthy to sing praise to You, O Lord God. With the Just Men and the Priests, who loved You, Make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God.

With Saint Gregorios and Saint Divanasios, Make us worthy to sing praise to You,O Lord God.

With the Five Wise Virgins, Who were ready with their lamps , make us worthy to sing praise to You, O Lord God.With the sinful woman who approached you and received from You forgiveness, Make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God.

With the Thief who believed ,Whom You promised Paradise, Make us worthy to sing praise to You, O Lord God. With the Departed , Who believed in You and were clothed in You by Water and the Spirit , Make us worthy to sing praise to You, Lord God.

With Angels in Heaven , Who praise You unceasingly , Make us worthy to sing praise to You, O Lord God.

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Lord , Have Mercy Upon us to be Worthy !!

October 14, 2019 

Weekly Scripture Readings August 4 – August 11, 2019

Weekly Scripture Readings August4 – August 11, 2019

August-6:  Feast of Transfiguration/Koodaara Perunnal

Evening: St. Matthew16:27-17:13, Morning: St. Mark8:38-9:13
Before Holy Qurbana
Deuteronomy16:13-17, Psalms24
Isaiah60:12-15,61:1-3
Holy Qurbana
IJohn2:23-3:1, Romans11:25-36
St. Luke9:27-36

August-11: First Sunday after the Feast of Transfiguration
Evening: St. Mark4:21-34, Morning: St. Matthew13:44-52
Before Holy Qurbana
Deuteronomy25:13-16, Psalms27
Ezekiel7:1-4
Holy Qurbana
St. James4:7-5:6, Philippians4:8-20
St. Matthew21:28-32

Suggested Readings based on Lectionary

August 4, 2019- St. Matthew16:27-17:13, Psalms24

August 5, 2019 - St. Mark4:21-34, Psalms27
August 6, 2019 - St. Mark8:38-9:13, Isaiah60:12-15,61:1-3
August 7,2019 - St. Matthew13:44-52, IJohn2:23-3:1
August 8, 2019 - St. Luke9:27-36, Romans11:25-36
August 9,2019 - St. Matthew21:14-21, St. James4:7-5:6
August 10,2019 - St. Matthew21:28-32 , Philippians4:8-20

Weekly Scripture Readings - July 28- August 4, 2019

Weekly Scripture Readings July 28 – August 4, 2019
August- 4: Eight Sunday after the Feast of Pentecost
Evening: St. Mark 4:1-23 , Morning: St. Matthew 13:10-23
Before Holy Qurbana
Exodus 3:9-15, Jeremiah 7:21-25
Isaiah 52:1-6
Holy Qurbana
1 Peter 2:4-10, Hebrew 4:14- 5:5
St. John 6:47-59
 
Suggested Readings based on Lectionary
July 28, 2019 – St. Mark 4:1-9. Hebrew 4:1-7
July 29,2019 – St. Mathew 13:10-17 , Hebrew4:8-13
July 30, 2019 – St. Mark 4: 10-20, Exodus 3:9-15
July 31 ,2019 St. Mark 4:21-24, 1 Peter 2:4-10
August 1, 2019 St. John 6:32-46, Jeremiah 7:21-25
August 2, 2019 St. John 6:47-52, Isaiah 5:1-6
August 3, 2019 St. John 6:52-59, Hebrew 4:14-5:5

 

 

A Simple Prayer Rule

While the Church in India in its encounter with the West Syrian Church from 17th Century adopted the Liturgical Prayers and Tradition, though hard to admit publicly many fail to consistently make the prayers personal on a daily basis and yearn our heart to encounter our Lord and God Jesus Christ.

In searching , came across on simple prayer rule by Fr. Maxym Lysak. He encourage and prescribes starting with some main Liturgical prayers, Psalm, Scripture readings as prayed with the Church (From Lectionary), Intercessory prayers and end with the Jesus Prayer for 2 to a maximum of 5 minutes.

On the Jesus prayer, he cautions not to count the prayer, just pray with sweetness, with devotion to Lord that the Heart picks it up until it becomes communion.  In addition, through out the day, we should find a way to bring to mind constant memory of God.  Pray it help. 

 Malankara Orthodox Christians could probably start the  Kauma include the Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ and in the morning add Psalm 63, 148. In the evening include Psalm 91 and Creed. As the Orthodox Church in India do not have a daily readings  like others, say the Coptic Church, we can probably adopt portions of the Weekly Scripture readings from the  Church Lectionary.

 

 

Weekly Scripture Readings - July 21-28, 2019

Weekly Scripture Readings - July 21-28, 2019

July-28: Seventh Sunday after the Feast of Pentecost

Evening: St. Matthew12:30-37

Morning: St. Matthew12:38-50

Before Holy Qurbana

Leviticus16:29-34, Hosea5:1-5

Isaiah57:15-19

Holy Qurbana

Acts4:32-37, Ephesians2:11-22

St. Mark3:20-30

 

Suggested Readings Based on Lectionary

July 21, 2019 - St. Matthew12:30-37 , Hosea5:1-5

July 22, 2019 -St. Mark 3:1-5 ,Isaiah 42:1-9

July 23, 2019 - St. Matthew12:1-8, Isaiah 42:10-17

July 24, 2019 -St. Matthew12:38-50 , Ephesians2:1-10

July 25, 2019 -St. Mark 3: 7-12,Ephesians2:11-22

July 26, 2019-St. Mathew 12:9-21, Leviticus16:29-34

July 27, 2019 - St Mark 3:20-30,Isaiah57:15-19

Weekly Scripture Readings - July14-21, 2019

Weekly Scripture Readings – July 14-21, 2019

Scripture Readings from Church Lectionary

July-21: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Evening: St. Luke17:1-10

Morning; St. Mark6:30-52

Before Holy Qurbana

Exodus30:34-38, Psalms20

Isaiah14:22-27

Holy Qurbana

Acts1:15-20, ICorinthians8:1-6

St. Matthew15:32-39

Suggested Daily Readings Based on Lectionary

July 14, 2019 -  St. Luke17:1-10, Exodus30:34-38

July 15, 2019 - St. Luke17:11-19, Psalms20

July 16, 2019 – St. Mark6:30-52, Exodus30:34-38

July 17, 2019 - St. Matthew15:22-28, ICorinthians8:8-13

July 18, 2019 - St. Mark6:1-6, Acts1:15-20,

July 19, 2019- St. John 6:28-40, ICorinthians8:1-6

July 20, 2019 - St. Matthew15:32-39, Isaiah14:22-27

Weekly Scripture Readings - July 7-14, 2019

Scripture Readings from Church  Lectionary
July-14: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Evening: St. Luke 9:10-17

Morning:  St. Matthew 17:20-28
Before Holy Qurbana
Exodus23:14-19, Psalms16
Isaiah40:27-31
Holy Qurbana
Acts9:10-18, IICorinthians5:14-20
St. Luke9:10-17

Suggested Daily Readings based on Lectionary Readings

July 7,2019 – St. Luke 9:10-17, Psalms16

July 8, 2019 - St. Matthew 17:20-28, IICorinthians5:14-20
July 9, 2019 – St. Luke 9:1-9, Isaiah40:27-31
July 10,2019 – Acts 9:1-9, St. Matthew 17:1-19
July 11, 2019 - II Corinthians5:1-6, St. Mathew 5:1-12
July 12, 2019 – Acts9:10-18, St. Luke 8:1-17
July 13, 2019 - St. Luke 9:10-17, Exodus23:14-19

Weekly Scripture Readings - July 1 - 7, 2019

July-3: Dukharono of St.Thomas (July 3rd)
Evening : St.Luke12:13-21 ,Morning :St.Luke12:48-59
Before Holy Qurbana
Exodus12:43-51 ,Job23:1-7
Isaiah52:1-15
Holy Qurbana
1Peter2:15-17 ,1Corinthians6:9-11
St.Mathew5:21-26

July-7: Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Evening: St. Matthew14:14-23
Morning: St. Luke10:17-24
Before Holy Qurbana
Deuteronomy33:23-29, Psalms15
Isaiah65:8-12
Holy Qurbana
Acts6:1-7 ,ICorinthians16:14-22 ,
St.Luke10:1-16

Suggested Daily Readings Based on Lectionary Readings
July 1 - St. Luke12:13-21, 1Peter2:15-17
July 2 - St. Luke12:48-59, 1Corinthians6:9-11
July 3- St. Mathew5:21-26, Psalm 15
July 4- St. Matthew14:14-23, Acts6:1-7
July 5- St. Luke10:17-24, ICorinthians16:14-22
July 6- St. Luke10:1-16, Isaiah65:8-12

GLORIOUS SILENCE - FRUITS & GIFTS

It has been a great blessing for me to know in the person of HG Gee Varghese Mar Ivanios of blessed memory.  During his life time, a collection of Thirumeni's  homilies were shared in the form of a short book by  Mar Baselios Dayara (Monastery) in Malayalam  'Maunathinte Lavaniyam' -' Glorious Silence'. 

Fr. George Thankachan of  U.K was kind enough to translate this chapter. May Thirumeni’s prayers continue to guide us  to knowing the will of the Lord in our lives 

FRUITS AND GIFTS

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

This verse speaks of the connection between love and obedience. Obedience is a vital factor both in Love of the Divine & Human. It is in keeping God's statutes we are sustained in the Love of God.

Love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. But it is not a gift which is different. Gift of wisdom, gift of knowledge, faith, healing, wonder-works, prophecy, discerning of the spirits, gift of tongues, and its interpretation, thus goes the list of gifts. (1 Cor 12: 7-10) Gift is not given to everyone alike. But, the Spirit of God is gifted to every single person. Yet, forgetting this are our actions! Today everybody longs for gifts. No one wish to have the gift of the Spirit.  If we want to bear fruit of Spirit, we must oblige to God’s commands. We need to set aside our self-interests to comply. It requires patience.  Obedience is the result of Love.

As St Paul, the apostle says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24). He further goes on saying “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2-3). He describes the greatness of love by saying that “I will show you a still more excellent way than the gifts”.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love. If someone wants to abide in love, they must abide by the commandment. See what Jesus our Lord says “As my Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love, if you keep my commandments, and I will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:9-10)

Let us see what kind of love is spoken “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Self- giving love. Love is the forsaking of one’s own likes and interests for the sake of obeying Christ.   It is the one who loses one’s own life who will gain it.  It is the one who denies one’s self that is able to follow Jesus. All our deeds now are self-centred and in self-love. Christ is our companion. The holy verses go thus: “Hitherto I will call you comrades”. Christ’s love is that which loves the enemies too.

It should not be the self-intellect that guides us, instead, it must be the Holy Spirit. Both head and heart must be yielded to Him.   Treat everyone as God’s creation irrespective of caste, colour and creed.  Then only we will be able to love unconditionally and be of help. “The kingdom of heaven is not a matter of eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and justice and joy in the Holy Spirit; because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval”. (Romans14:17-18) One must be pleasing to God and be of benefits to human. We like to please human.  Be of help to others is what is pleasing to God.

The proverbs advise us of it: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones”. (3:5-8).

Live in complete trust in God without leaning on one’s own prudence. Obeying the Spirit of God and that is the nature of love. Love never ceases to obey God. There will not be any fruit without keeping God’s statutes.  The wonder-works without the fruit of the Spirit are not right.  “It is not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ who enters the Kingdom of heaven but the one who does the will of God.” On that day many will say to me ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and did many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness”. (Mathew 7:21-23)

A tree is known by its fruit. We yield fruit when we obey the Spirit of God. The sign of love is obedience. We must strive to grow in virtue by obeying the Holy Spirit. It knows no bounds growing in the holiness for God is without beginning or end. Obey Him by offering the life and that is what love is in short. “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. (1 Corinthians 13: 13)