JULY 17: CONFESSION – 8:30 AM, DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM (LIVE-STREAMED), EASTERN CHRISTIAN FORMATION – 10:15 AM, DIVINE LITURGY – 11:00 AM.
PROPERS: 07-17-22_Sunday_DL
Parishes live-streaming in the Diocese can be found here: https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/livestream
There are 2 Gospel readings on this Sunday. The first Gospel Reading is Matthew 9:1-8, in which Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man. We learn that not only does Jesus have authority, but we have an account of an event that shows that He has authority to forgive sins. For Jesus the forgiving of sins and the healing of diseases are two sides of His mission, with the forgiveness of sins being the most important. Additionally, He defends His authority to forgive sins to the Pharisees who time and again rebuke Him. Additionally, we learn that sin can cause us “spiritual paralysis” by controlling all aspects of our lives. We see how repeatedly Jesus goes out of His way to minister to sinners and then forgive and heal them. We see the power in that and how we need Jesus in our lives in order to help us “get off our mats.”
The 2nd Gospel Reading is John 17:1-13, Jesus Prays for Himself and for His Disciples, in which “through Jesus’ resurrection and ascension He returns to the heavenly glory that God prepared for him in love, and Jesus prays that his followers will one day join him in the Father’s presence to share in this glory and love.”
On this Sunday, the Church venerates the Holy Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils because Christ has established them as “lights upon the earth,” guiding us to the true Faith. “Adorned with the robe of truth,” the doctrine of the Fathers, based upon the preaching of the Apostles, has established one faith for the Church. The Ecumenical Councils, are the highest authority in the Church. Such Councils, guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and accepted by the Church, are infallible.
