Marriage is to be Holy and Honorable [Monday May 13, 2024]

Good Morning & Praise The Lord!

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Good morning, and praise the Lord! Today is Monday May 13, 2024

Christ our God, You are the Life that dawned from the grave, though the tomb was sealed. Through closed doors You came to the Apostles. You are the Resurrection of all. And, You renewed us through them with an upright spirit, according to Your great mercy.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us.

Lord, forgive our sins.

Master, pardon our transgressions.

Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Acts of the Apostles 3:19-26

In those days, Peter said to the people, "Repent and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came afterwards, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God gave to your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your posterity shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you in turning every one of you from your wickedness."

The Gospel According to John 2:1-11

At that time, there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the wedding, with his disciples. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come."

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast."

So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling all things, treasury of blessings and giver of life, come and abide in us.

Cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, gracious Lord.

The first miracle of our Lord took place at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. By His presence at the wedding Jesus affirms that marriage is to be holy and honorable. The miracle performed of changing the water into wine symbolizes the blessing we receive when Christ is the center of our lives.

When a man and a woman promise to love and honor one another they are joined together in the community of marriage. The Holy Mysterion of Matrimony emphasizes that love is true and complete when Christ is in their midst. Standing before the Holy Altar the bride and groom make an eternal commitment to be faithful to one another.

An Orthodox Christian marriage is a celebration in which Christ touches the lives of the newly married couple. The presence of the Lord remains because this sanctified relationship is based on love. Christ’s life was a message of love and His love for those who enter into marriage is a model for their love to each other. The elements of love include forgiveness and faithfulness throughout their lives.

A household built on faith in Jesus Christ must develop a meaningful relationship with the Church. The Mysterion of Holy Matrimony in the Orthodox Church offers this prayer: "Let them know their children’s children. Preserve the sanctity of their home. Give them both of the dew from heaven and of the earth’s bounty. Fill their houses with grain and wine and oil and every good thing, so that in turn they may share with those who are in want…"

From the moment the bride and groom were united "…in one mind…" and crowned "…with glory and honor" they entered the condition that makes their marriage a Christian Orthodox marriage. This condition is the acceptance of the Gospel of Christ, the bearing of His Cross in order to participate in His triumph and entry into His Kingdom in order to partake of eternal life. Christ crowns them together with the martyrs and the saints as champions of the Faith!

STEWARDSHIP is the means by which a family manages its TIME, TALENTS, and TREASURE to the glory of God. To care for and to love one another often calls for sacrifice. As married couples work to fulfill their basic material needs, and in time those of their children, it is imperative that they keep in mind their spiritual lives as well. This must be a priority in the family for "What God has joined together, let no man put asunder."

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.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.