Psalm 41
Blessed is the man who cares for the poor and the weak
(Psalm 41:1)
Care for the poor is a constant theme in the Scriptures.
He who despises his neighbor is a sinner, but happy is he who is kind to the poor. (Proverbs 14:21)
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. (Proverbs 19:17)
He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
And our Lord Jesus Christ identifies Himself with the poor and the weak, as we know so well from Matthew 25:
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
Psalm 41 is used on Holy Thursday and Holy Friday because it prefigures the weak, poor and powerless Christ betrayed at the Last Supper, surrounded by enemies, suffering innocently, but also trusting that God will raise Him up.
My enemies say of me in malice: “When will he die, and his name perish?”
And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers mischief; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.
Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
But do thou, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may requite them!
Chancery update: Recruiting Stewards
Yesterday I wrote to the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council membersasking them to write to their dioceses and point people in the direction of the Stewards recruitment effort. Some have already done this, but here’s an example of one message that was sent out, from Father John Vitko, representing the Archdiocese of Washington.
Dear Brothers in Christ,
Christ is in our midst!
I hope you are all having a most blessed Nativity Fast.
I am writing you in my capacity as one of our Archdiocesan representatives to the Metropolitan Council. As you may know, the Central Administration has been working very hard to fulfill the mandate of the 16th All-American Council (Seattle, 2011) to reduce the central assessments. This has put a great strain on the budgets. There is only minimal funding for the important outreach work of such Departments as Christian Education, Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid, Evangelization, Liturgical Music, Youth and Young Adults and others.
Wishing to better fund these important ministries and believing that there are individual parishioners who share this vision and may be in a position to help fund them, two weeks ago the OCA announced a Stewards of the Orthodox Church in America Program with the goal of enrolling 300 Stewards by the end of next week. Please prayerfully consider becoming members yourself, enrolling your parish and let your parishioners know about this program. Any donation, no matter the amount would be greatly appreciated and seen as a sign of support for these important ministries. More information on the program and a “donate button” can be found on OCA web site.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Wishing you a most blessed Nativity season and a glorious and joyful Feast of the Nativity.
With love in Christ,
Fr. John