From Michael Ruse:
Class on 10/12/2019…
This chapter can be summarized with Metropolitan’s own words that “the Savior’s death and resurrection put an end to hell’s power over the human race.” Because of that conquest in Jesus Christ, the cyclical destruction of human lives, the sheer waste of life that we see and have read about, is returned to life in the body. God creates us new from “a field strewn with bones,” as he says. How should we respond to such a sweeping statement about reality? We are given the example of how the Publican and the Pharisee approach God in their outward and inner postures of prayer, which may be the decisive point in preventing wars and violence. It’s no coincidence that the foundation for getting ready for Great Lent and the rest of the liturgical services hinges on this scene of a great sinner and a morally superior man at prayer.
There are lot of liturgical verses that we chant during the divine services from the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee until Great Saturday and Metropolitan Hilarion presents us with these verses on every page. If we reflect a little, there are many new sounds and tunes that the world plays. We hear people in their cars listening to familiar songs to start the day. Blaring music keeps us motivated to stay in coffee shops and to buy clothes in department stores. A song on the radio recalls some special moments. We could ask ourselves, what’s really worth singing about? Metropolitan Hilarion highlights stichera from major services that form the sections, which includes: Preparation for Great Lent, The Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian, The Divine Services of the First Week of Great Lent and The Great Canon of Repentance, Sundays of Great Lent, The Annunciation of the Most-Holy Theotokos, Lazarus Saturday and the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, and Holy Week.
Metropolitan Hilarion helps us see the big picture in worship with these divine services so that we do not lose sight of what’s important to sing about and who are worthy of all praise in preparation for our own death and resurrection. Come and see how the Orthodox Church has some of the most beautiful and true verses. The theological topics are rich for meditation. Join us this Saturday at 4:00 p.m.