Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
December 4, 2022
Luke 17:12-19 - As he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then said Jesus, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." (RSV)
St. Athanasius – The Lord expressed love for the one who was thankful, but He was angry with the ungrateful ones because they did not acknowledge their Deliverer. They thought more highly of their cure from leprosy then of He who had healed them. … The one who returned to give thanks was given much more than the rest. Besides being healed of his leprosy, he was told by the Lord, “Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.”
You see, those who give thanks and those who glorify have the same kind of feelings. They bless their helper for the benefits they have received. This is why Paul urged everyone to “glorify God with your body.” (1 Cor 6:20).
Scripture
- Matins - Luke 24:1-12 (Gospel 4)
- Divine Liturgy - Ephesians 5:9-19, Luke 17:12-19
December Fasts and Feasts
- Continuation of the Nativity Fast (also known as Philip's Fast and Advent)
- 6 - Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra
- 8/9 - Feast of the Conception of Mary, the Mother of God, by St. Anna
- 11 - Sunday of the Holy Forefathers
- 18 - Sunday of the Holy Fathers
- 25 - Feast of the Nativity of Christ (Christmas)
The Icon is of St. Anna holding the young Mary, who was destined to become the Mother of God. On December 8 (9) the Church celebrates the Feast of the Conception of the Most Holy Mother of God by the Righteous Anna.
Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra is transformed in our modern secular culture as Santa Claus - the man in the red suit who brings gifts at Christmas to all those who are good. It is interesting - and telling - to consider what the Church remembers him for. Yes, he is said to have punched Arias in the nose for denying the divinity of Jesus. But most of the stories that come to us through history are of him living the Christian life - like providing a dowry to three young women so they could marry and avoid slavery (the three bags of gold he threw through their windows landed in their stockings, and so today we hang our stockings by the chimney with care). All of the stories about Archbishop Nicholas that come to us through history are about his love for people - especially the poor. St. Nicholas was good. So good that his goodness shines through history - and radiates even from the man in the red suit. Such goodness can only be found in one who dwells intimately with Lord - for He is the only good One (Mt 19:17).