🇬🇧 Glory be to Jesus Christ! 🌞
Since yesterday was the remembrance of the martyrdom of Saint John
the Baptist, the readings from yesterday are generally carried over to
today, so today we read two readings:
For the second of these readings, see the link:
23082023.html
2 Corinthians X, 1 – ‘θαρρω’ – ‘tharro’ – (I) am bold, courageous
(in a good sense)
.
2 Corinthians X, 2 – ‘θαρρησαι’ – ‘tharresai’ – ‘would show courage’.
‘ταλμησαι’ – ‘talmesai’ – ‘would dare’. The first of the two words is
more about a state of quiet courage
, constant courage
, while the
second is about a decisive move, a manifestation of courage. ‘ημας’ -
‘emas’ – ‘us’ (we).
2 Corinthians X, 3 – ‘στρατευομεθα’ – ‘strateuometha’ – ‘waging war, fighting, fighting as soldiers’. From this word we also get ‘strategy’ - that is, Paul means a reasonable struggle based on reason, not emotion. The life of the apostles (and the believers who are like them) is like a large-scale overcoming of evil. Paul goes on to say that the spiritual weapons of the faithful are powerful to pull down fortresses (capable of overcoming large and widespread evil).
2 Corinthians X, 4 – ‘ημων’ – ‘emon’ – ‘us’ (our).
2 Corinthians X, 7 – ‘εμεις’ – ‘emeis’ – ‘we’.
From the reading we see that the apostles were meek in their personal behaviour, but bold in their preaching. Some people thought that the apostles’ meekness was a weakness, but Paul shows that this approach is strong against large evil. At the same time, the apostles can dare to act decisively if necessary.
At the beginning, he encourages the believers to help the faithful in need, whom he calls saints (for the sake of God’s grace among them, the believers themselves are not necessarily saints personally).
For the second of these readings, see the
link:
23082023.html
I wrote earlier about the parallel passage in Matthew to the second
part of the first Gospel reading today here:
04072023.html
Mark III, 26 – ‘εμερισθη’ – ‘emeristhe’ – ‘divided, parted’.
The Lord continues His ministry, heals, casts out demons, and here overcomes the objections of the Pharisees and scribes to miracles.
The Church of the Virgin Mary in honour of Her icon Pantanassa
(‘Queen-of-Everything’):
For these frequent readings on the feasts in honour of the Mother
of God, see the link:
28082023.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!