'Daily Bread'
Friday, January 12, 2024
Daily Scripture Reading for Friday, January 12, 2024
Epistle Reading: 1 Peter 2:6-10
6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”
Gospel Reading: Luke 19:12-28
12 Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
13 So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’
14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’
Do you know the name of today’s commemorated icon and the story behind it?
Hint: The name of this rare icon has to do with a certain duplicitous character who tried to carry the icon in a procession at the Hilandar Monastery on Mt. Athos until the most holy Virgin Mother of God stopped him in righteous fury.
Bonus Question: Why are Christ’s fingers crossed in this icon?
CLICK HERE to find out all the answers surrounding today’s commemorated icon.
In a modern society that pushes a ‘cult of excellence’, here is a great essay - ‘The Goal of a Lesser Life’ - by Fr. Stephen Freeman on how to find contentment.
Excerpt from Fr. Freeman’s essay ‘The Goal of a Lesser Life’:
We live in the culture of the pep-talk, whether it is directed towards us or not. Watching the next amazing teen on “America’s Got Talent” can be astounding entertainment, but also a reminder that most of us are not like that. Our mediocrity would make bad TV. Excellence is largely a myth and a painful one for many. It is also a distraction from what is truly excellent about everyone and everything.
This week’s calendar reminders:
Sunday 1/7: Divine Liturgy 9:15 a.m.
Monday 1/8: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday 1/9: no services or events
Wednesday 1/10: no services or events
Thursday 1/11: Matins 8:30 a.m. ; Men’s Group 7 p.m.
Friday 1/12: Matins 8:30 a.m.
Saturday 1/13: Women’s Group 9 a.m. ; Great Vespers 6 p.m.