Fr. John R.P. Russell | Saint Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church

Sermon on Mark 8:34-9:1

September 20, 2020 By Fr. John R.P. Russell Leave a Comment

Do you see that the kingdom of God has come with power? (Mark 9:1) Jesus said to the multitude with his disciples, “There are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”

I can tell you, almost with certainty, that everyone who was standing there has by now tasted death. I do not say that they are dead! Our God is not the God of the dead, but of the living! And he is their God! I say, rather, that they have tasted death. Just as Jesus Christ himself has tasted death and yet is not dead.

Jesus is not wrong here. He has not miscalculated the day of the second coming, as many modern doomsday prophets often do. This is not what Jesus has done. So, if he is not wrong, and all who was standing there have tasted death, then it can only mean that the kingdom of God has already come with power and some who were standing there have seen it.

So I ask you again, have you seen the kingdom of God? Remember that the reign of God is forever and ever. When the kingdom of God comes, it does not then retreat away again. If the kingdom of God has come already in the lifetimes of those who lived with Jesus, then it must be that the kingdom of God persists now today. But the kingdom of God is among us and the kingdom of God is within us (Luke 17:21). So I ask you again, have you seen the kingdom of God that has come with power?

Who is the king of glory? The Lord Jesus. Who is the king of kings? Jesus Christ! Who is the Lord of hosts? Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is no earthly politician, neither this candidate nor that candidate, that is Lord of heaven and earth. Jesus Christ alone rules over all and he is King and God of all.

As citizens of this country, it’s important for us to vote. But, if we love our country, there’s something even more important. It’s even more important for us to pray. How often we pray for our civil authorities in almost every liturgical service, and rightly so.

St. Peter teaches us: “Honor everyone. Love the brethren. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Pet 2:17). Yes, even the emperor, he says. Even Nero, who would slaughter Christians and use their burning bodies as torches to light his dinner parties. Yesterday I saw a Christian confess on Facebook that he would not pray for Ruth Bader Ginsberg. As Christians we pray for everyone, even those opposed to us.

It is prayer for them and for all that can truly bring needed change, which is metanoia – repentance – the change of heart. Change of policy unaccompanied by change of heart yields precious little fruit. This coming Thursday is a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for God’s mercy on our land and the healing and conversion of our hearts. Consider joining in.

Who would Jesus vote for? Would he vote at all? I have no idea. But do we even care? Vote your conscience. But if you leave your conscience unformed by prayer to the one true king and Lord, it will lead you astray. It will be malformed. You’ll be like the wooden puppet Pinocchio before he got his conscience in the form of a cricket. Your decisions will be immature and inadvisable. Pray before you vote. Pray while you are voting. Pray for whoever wins the election, whether or not you voted for them.

I know it’s not November and that maybe I should save all this for then, but today Jesus Christ is talking about the kingdom of God! And I follow his schedule. Because I’m living in his kingdom.

Yes, I am an American. I found that out real fast the moment I visited foreign country. When I went to Germany in my early twenties it became very quickly clear to me that my Americanness was written all over my face. And that it came out in all of my mannerisms and habits and that there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. It is an aspect of our identity, where we we’re from, it shapes us. So, yes, I like most of you am an American. But God forbid that I should make that my primary identity. That I should put that first. If my first identity is not in the Lord, I am lost. Indeed, it is for his sake and the Gospels, that we are to lose our lives if we intend to save our lives (Mark 8:35))

What does it mean for us to lose our life for Christ’s sake and the Gospels? For some, it means just that. Many of those Jesus was speaking to would soon after his death and Resurrection begin to join the ranks as martyrs. And martyrdom has persisted into our own day. Just one example among many is the Coptic Orthodox martyrs beheaded by the Islamic State five years ago in Libya. If we are not prepared and willing to act as they did in that kind of situation, then we are not yet truly followers of Jesus Christ. He calls us to lose our life for his sake and the Gospels. Now remember that the gospel is a gospel of life not of death. It is for life that we are losing our lives. Jesus is the life. For nothing else would it be worthwhile after all to lay down our lives. But this is the pearl of great price and we eagerly and willingly sell everything else we have to buy it.

Some of us, on the other hand, do not have the opportunity to die in the flesh by those persecuting Christ and his Church. Does this mean that we are lost? Because we have had no chance to lose our life Jesus and his gospel? Don’t worry, we will have that chance in one way or another

This is in fact the vocation of every Christian. We must take up our own cross. We will discover our own way to lay down our lives. Every vocation – being married or being unmarried, being laity or clergy – is a vocation of martyrdom of one kind or another. Each vocation is to give witness, which is what the word martyr means. And each is a way of giving up our whole lives for the love of others.

This is what Christ does on the cross. He lays down is life for the love of others, for the love of us, and for the love of all. It is on the cross, which we continue to exalt today, that the coming of his kingdom is realized.

We know that Pilate ordered it to be written and posted above Christ on his cross, “Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews”. It’s interesting to note that in iconography, this is not what we find on the cross of Christ. Rather, it says here, Ό Βασιλεύς της Δόξης – the king of Glory. Pilot likely did not consider Jesus to be glorious in this moment. He likely failed to see the kingdom of God come in power here. He did not regard of a cross as the throne of the most high King. He thought of it rather as something he could threaten the king with. When, in fact, it is his throne. And here he is enthroned as king of glory. And some who stood there before when he was preaching and heard him say that there was some standing there who would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God which has come in power. They looked, and they remembered, and they saw exactly that. That in this moment of supreme weakness and humiliation, was the power of the coming of God to be exalted. By them and us until this very day.

Those of us who do not yet see the kingdom of God, are like pilot who failed to recognize the king standing before him. It isn’t that to the kingdom of God is not among us. It is that we do not see it. It is present and it is invisible. As invisible as it was when Jesus hung on the cross. It looked to be his defeat, but in fact it was his victory. The same continues on and on. The saints of God and his martyrs and those who give testimony and witness to him by their lives laying down their lives both literally and figuratively. We have seen the self-sacrificial love of Christians, I hope. If we have not, we have not yet met Christians. And if we have, we have seen the kingdom of God, and power. The cross gives us power to seek God where God is not. Or where God seems not to be. The cross gives us the power to see the kingdom of God. And to live in the kingdom of God. Even now. Live first of all as citizens of the Kingdom. Let’s make that our identity above all things and l et the cross inform how we see things and all the decisions that we make. May all our decisions be cruciform.

Bulletin

September 19, 2020 By Fr. John R.P. Russell Leave a Comment

Bulletin for 2020-09-20 – St. Stephen

Divine Liturgy for the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross. Tone 7.

September 19, 2020 By Fr. John R.P. Russell Leave a Comment

Click here to watch a video of this service on our YouTube channel. (Live stream will begin at 10:00am on Sunday, September 20th, 2020).

The Order of Third Hour

09-20-20 Third Hour Propers

People’s book for the Divine Liturgy

Divine Liturgy Propers for the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross. Tone 7.

Whenever we are unable to pray the Divine Liturgy, we traditionally pray the Typika in its place. Here is Typika arranged for use at home on for the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross:

TYPIKA AT HOME: SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

SUNDAY AFTER THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Opening Hymns:

Troparion

You have destroyed Death by your cross, you opened paradise to the thief. The sorrow of the myrrh-bearers you turned to joy. You commanded your apostles to proclaim: Christ our God, you have risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Troparion, Tone 1:

Save your people, O Lord, and bless your inheritance; grant victory to your Church over evil, and protect your people by your cross.

Leader: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Response: Amen.

Glory to you, our God, glory to you.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious One.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions; Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Three times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Response: Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen

Come, let us worship our King and God.

Come, let us worship Christ, our King and God.

Come, let us worship and bow before the only Lord Jesus Christ the King and our God.

We chant the Typical Psalms:

Psalm 102:

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and never forget all his blessings.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,

who heals every one of your ills,

who redeems your life from the grave,

who crowns you with love and compassion,

who fills your life with good things,

renewing your youth like an eagle’s.

The Lord does deeds of justice,

gives judgment for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses

and his deeds to Israel’s sons.

The Lord is compassion and love,

slow to anger and rich in mercy.

His wrath will come to an end;

he will not be angry forever.

He does not treat us according to our sins

nor repay us according to our faults.

For as the heavens are high above the earth

so strong is his love for those who fear him.

As far as the east is from the west

so far does he remove our sins.

As a father has compassion on his sons,

the Lord has pity on those who fear him;

for he knows of what we are made,

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

he flowers like the flower of the field;

the wind blows and he is gone

and his place never sees him again.

But the love of the Lord is everlasting

upon those who hold him in fear;

his justice reaches out to children’s children

when they keep his covenant in truth,

when they remember his commands and do them.

The Lord has set his throne in heaven

and his kingdom is ruling over all.

Bless the Lord, all his angels,

mighty in power, fulfilling his word,

who heed the voice of his word.

Bless the Lord, all his hosts,

his servants who do his will.

Bless the Lord, all his works,

in every place where he rules.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit,

now and ever and forever. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Blessed are you, O Lord.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

I will praise the Lord all my life.

I will make music to my God while I live.

Put no trust in princes,

in mortal men in whom there is no help.

Take their breath, they return to clay

and their plans that day come to nothing.

He is happy who is helped by Jacob’s God,

whose hope is in the Lord his God,

who alone made heaven and earth,

the seas and all they contain.

It is the Lord who keeps faith forever,

who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the Lord, who sets prisoners free,

the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down,

the Lord, who protects the stranger

and upholds the widow and orphan.

It is the Lord who loves the just

but thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever,

Zion’s God, from age to age.

Now and ever and forever. Amen.

Hymn of the Incarnation

O only-begotten Son and Word of God, who, being immortal, deigned for our salvation to become incarnate of the holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and became man without change; you were also crucified, O Christ our God, and by death have trampled Death, being One of the Holy Trinity, glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, save us.

Troparia at the Beatitudes

In your kingdom, remember us, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

12. Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11. Blessed are they who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

10. Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the land.

(Tone 7) Beautiful and good to eat was the fruit that killed me. Christ is the tree of life. Eating from it I do not die but cry out with the thief, “Remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom.”

9. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for

righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

– When you were lifted up on the cross, O compassionate Lord, you erased the ancient accusation of Adam’s sin and saved all mortals from error. Therefore, we sing your praise, O Benefactor.

8. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

– You nailed our sins to the cross, O compassionate Christ, and by your death, you put death to death. You raised the dead from among the dead. Therefore, we worship your holy resurrection.

7. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.

– The serpent once poured poison into the ears of Eve. On the tree of the cross, Christ poured forth the sweetness of life on the world. Remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom.

6. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

– Christ, the Life of all, you were placed in a tomb as a mortal, you crushed the bars of Hades, and you rose in glory on the third day for you are mighty. You enlightened all. Glory to your rising.

5. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

– When the Lord rose from the dead on the third day, he granted his own peace to the disciples. When he had blessed them, he sent them out saying, “Lead everyone into my kingdom.”

4. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you

and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.

(Tone 8) O youths, equal in number to the Trinity, bless the Father and Creator; praise the Word who came down and changed the fire into dew; and for all ages exalt the Holy Spirit, who grants life to all.

3. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

– When the Cross that is sprinkled with the blood of the incarnate Word is raised up, all you powers of heaven sing praises, celebrating the reconciliation of the human race. All you faithful, venerate the Cross of Christ; for through it, resurrection was granted to the world forever.

2. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

– Let the priests reverently raise up the Cross on which Christ our God was hung, and exalt the lance that pierced the body of the Word of God. Let all people see the salvation of God and glorify him forever.

1. Now and ever and forever. Amen.

– Rejoice, all you faithful Christian kings, chosen beforehand by a divine decree. Receive the precious Cross from God and make this victorious weapon your glory, for by it, the enemy tribes that hastily seek battle are overthrown forever.

Prokeimenon, Tone 7

Exalt the Lord, our God, and worship at his footstool, for he is holy.

Verse: The Lord is King; let the peoples rage.

Epistle: Galatians 2:16-20

Leader: A reading from the Letter of St. Paul the Apostle to the Galatians.

Brothers and Sisters: We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Of course not! But if I am building up again those things that I tore down, then I show myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.

Alleluia, Tone 7: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Verse: It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Verse: To proclaim your mercy in the morning, and your faithfulness throughout the night.

Alleluia, Tone 1: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Verse: Remember your flock which you acquired long ago.

Verse: God is our King from all ages; he has accomplished salvation in the middle of the earth.

Leader: A reading from the gospel of the holy apostle and evangelist Mark. (Mark 8:34-38)

Response: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

Leader:

The Lord said: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Response: Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

Then:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

now and ever and forever. Amen.

Remember us, O Lord,

when you come in your kingdom.

Remember us, O Master,

when you come in your kingdom.

Remember us, O Holy One,

when you come in your kingdom.

The heavenly choir praises you and says,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;

heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

Look towards him and be radiant;

let your faces not be abashed.

The heavenly choir praises you and says,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;

heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Spirit.

The choir of holy angels and archangels, with all the heavenly powers, praises you and says,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;

heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

Now and ever

and forever. Amen.

Profession of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only-begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in essence with the Father; through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. He rose on the third day according to the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of Life, who proceeds from the Father. Together with the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified; he spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Remit, pardon, and forgive our transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in deed and in word, with knowledge and in ignorance, in thought and in desire, by night and by day, forgive them all, O God, for you are good and love us all.

Leader: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.

Response: Amen.

Kontakion, Tone 4:

Christ our God, who were willingly raised upon the cross, grant your mercies upon a new people who bear your name. By your power grant joy to our Church. Give her victory over evil with your invincible trophy, the weapon of peace, as an ally.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Leader: Most holy Trinity, Consubstantial Power, Indivisible Kingdom, Cause of all good things, look favorably upon me, a sinner, at this present hour. Take away all the defilement of my mind and enlighten my understanding that I may always praise, glorify, and say:

Response: One is holy, one is Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen

The Leader bows his head and together with the faithful makes a spiritual Communion praying aloud:

O Lord, I believe and confess that you are truly Christ,

who came into the world

To save sinners of whom I am the first.

Although I cannot be a partaker now of your mystical supper, O Son of God.

Come at least spiritually into my heartby Your Divine Grace

for the healing of my soul and body.

For I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies,

Nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas,

But like the thief I profess to you:

+ Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.

+ Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.

+ Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom.

O Lord, I also believe and profess, that this,

Which I would receive, and which is now here present with us in Mystery,

Is truly your most precious Body, and your life-giving Blood,

Which, I pray, I may one day receive again

For the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen

Then immediately:

Psalm 33

I will bless the Lord at all times,

his praise always on my lips;

In the Lord

my soul shall make its boast

The humble shall hear

and be glad.

Glorify the Lord with me.

Together let us praise his name.

I sought the Lord and he answered me;

from all my terrors he set me free.

Look towards him and be radiant;

let your faces not be abashed.

This poor man called, the Lord heard him

and rescued him from all his distress.

The angel of the Lord is encamped,

around those who revere him, to rescue them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

Revere the Lord, you his saints.

They lack nothing, those who revere him.

Strong lions suffer want and go hungry

but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.

Come, children, and hear me

that I may teach you the fear of the Lord.

Who is he who longs for life and many days,

to enjoy his prosperity?

Then keep your tongue from evil

and your lips from speaking deceit.

Turn aside from evil and do good;

seek and strive after peace.

The Lord turns his face against the wicked

to destroy their remembrance from the earth.

The Lord turns his eyes to the just

and his ears to their appeal.

The just cried out and the Lord heard them,

and rescued them from all their distress.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;

those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

Many are the trials of the just,

but from them all the Lord will rescue them.

He will keep guard over all their bones,

not one of their bones shall be broken.

Evil brings death to the wicked;

those who hate the good are doomed.

The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.

Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.

More honorable than the cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim; who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, truly the Theotokos, we magnify.

Leader: Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Response: Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Bowing before the Cross, we sing three times:

We bow to your cross, O Lord, and we glorify your holy resurrection.