SEPT 8: CONFESSION – 8:30 AM, DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM (LIVE-STEAMED); ECF – 10:15 AM, DIVINE LITURGY – 11:00 AM.
Please see the post regarding the celebration of the Birth of the Theotokos for other details and information about the feast.
PROPERS: 09-08-24_Sunday_Nativity_Theotokos_DL
Streaming via Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/saintscyrilandmethodius/
Parishes live-streaming in the Diocese can be found here: https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/directory
GOD WITH US CATECHETICAL RESOURCES – THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (from 9/11/22): https://godwithusonline.org/reflections/the-sunday-before-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross-ruthenian/
Today’s Sunday is the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and provides an opportunity for faithful Christians to honor the precious and life-giving Cross and our Lord’s sacrificial crucifixion. In today’s Gospel by John (John 3:13-17), Christ foretells us about His Crucifixion. He tells us that the same way that Moses raised the snake in the desert, He too must be raised and sacrificed in order for all of those who believe in Him to obtain eternal life. Christ in this gospel reading uses this example from the Old Testament, in order to help his disciples understand the events that will follow, His passion and ultimately his Crucifixion. In today’s Gospel our Lord emphasizes to us, that everyone who believes in him will not be lost, but instead, will be granted, by the merciful God eternal life. Our Lord’s words are clear: “Therefore who ever believes in Him will not be lost, but will have eternal life” (John 3,16). He emphasizes this point to show us that in order for us to be saved, His mercy and love are not enough, as we also need our faith in Him. Our faith is the one thing we have control over and is a prerequisite for our salvation.
The second Gospel reading is Luke 10: 38-42 and 11:27-28. In Luke 10: 38-42 we hear about Jesus’ visit to Martha and Mary. Martha provides hospitality while Mary listens to Jesus’ teachings. Martha complains that Mary neglecting her duties & asks Jesus to instruct her to help. Jesus thus responds that Mary has chosen the better activity. In essence, hearing the word of God & spreading the Good News as a disciple is more important. In Luke 11:27-28, “a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” and Jesus replies, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
