In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, one God, Amen.
Our divine services, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, are full of references—quotations and allusions—to the reality, the truth, the revelation of Jesus Christ. “In that we have beheld the Resurrection of Christ,” we proclaim during Sunday Matins,
let us bow down before the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. Thy Cross do we adore, O Christ, and Thy Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify: for Thou art our God, and we know none other beside Thee; we call upon Thy Name. O come, all ye faithful, let us adore Christ’s Holy Resurrection. For lo, through the Cross is joy come into all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us sing His Resurrection: for in that He endured the Cross for us, He hath destroyed Death by death.
Prayer after the Gospel reading, Sunday Matins
We have beheld the Resurrection, we have encountered the risen Christ, we have been invited to again participate in His defeat of sin and death, yet I remain indifferent to it. It is a good thing that it has happened but I want what is needful for me as I define, to get on in the world, to make progress, to earn a living. And whereas when guests come and encounter what I have been offered by the Lord on a daily basis they marvel, I, in return, shrug my shoulders safe in the knowledge that I am a righteous person, a moral person, safe and able to look down on the chaos around me from my ivory tower.
And while I call upon the Lord to act for me in my lofted status, “come and do for me, Lord, as I demand,” say I, another from the edges of the community steps forward. Deprived of the knowledge of the Resurrection, deprived of hope, having suffered for twelve years with an infirmity which leads to death, she steps forward—recognising her unworthiness—and merely tries to have a fleeting contact with the Lord. And the Lord heals her. She is transformed, she is restored to dignity and life. Yes indeed, the Lord acts in my life too, offering me the blessings I have demanded, but what good have they done me? Even if he raises the dead before my eyes will I turn and follow Him? Or will I remain as I am, safe in the knowledge there is a back-up plan?
But I must change my mind and my mindset, I must repent. I must not look upon the Lord as One Who will fix all the problems in my life—offering miracles when miracles are demanded, offering blessings whenever I mandate—but that I should retain that wonder and awe of those discovering the Truth, discovering Christ, discovering that idolatry has lost its power, discovering that sin no longer holds us in captivity, discovering that death itself has been defeated.
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us not become as a ruler of that synagogue, oblivious to the great blessings in our lives that happen daily, but retain the faithfulness of the woman who had the flow of blood. Let us be, continually, seeking after greater faith, greater fidelity to the Lord, that we may truly be accounted worthy to take for ourselves the name Christian and be inheritors of eternal Life.
So we may be joined to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who offers us healing and resurrection from death, and offer Him true praise, glory and worship, together with His unoriginate Father and the All-holy, Good and Life-giving Spirit. Amen.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
— Galatians 6:11–18
At that time, there came to Jesus a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue; and falling at Jesus’ feet he besought him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As he went, the people pressed round him. And a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; and immediately her flow of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those who were with him said, “Master, the multitudes surround you and press upon you!” But Jesus said, “Some one touched me; for I perceive that power has gone forth from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While he was still speaking, a man from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she shall be well.” And when he came to the house, he permitted no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and bewailing her; but he said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once; and he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
— Luke 8:41–56