Newsletter September 6, 2025

Questions and Thoughts

Saint Paisios of Mount Athos often counseled those who asked about the Antichrist to focus instead on Christ—to live with Him and in Him—rather than wasting time, stirring fears, and exhausting their strength speculating about the Antichrist and the timing of his coming. This is the teaching of the truly enlightened: they direct their gaze on what nurtures life in God rather than on distractions that breed anxiety.

Religious instruction and spiritual formation are inseparable. We do not learn the truths of faith merely to accumulate information but to live by them. Faith is not the collection of facts about God; it is the living knowledge of Him, reflected in how we think, act, and shape our lives.

Read the entire article: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2560

Please remember that our full calendar continues to be available at our parish web site. Here is a link:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Calendar/calendar.php

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Prosphora/Docs/prosphora sched 2025 web.pdf

Full schedule:
https://stjfc.org/Pages/Ministries/Altar/Docs/epistle readers for 2025.pdf

Epistle: ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS 6:11-18

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

Gospel: JOHN 3:13-17

The Lord said, “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Look Who’s Talking

Fr. Stephen Freeman

In the Transfiguration, Christ is seen speaking with Moses and Elijah on the top of a mountain, shimmering with a light of unbearable brightness. It is an event unlike anything else in the gospels, deserving the Great Feast that is associated with it. That Christ is seen speaking with Moses and Elijah is itself an affirmation that in Him, the whole of the Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment. Interestingly, we are told that the content of their conversation was Christ “departure” (“exodus”) which was soon to take place.

I’ve long pondered the nature of that conversation. Is it Moses and Elijah telling Jesus something He does not know? Or is it Jesus telling Moses and Elijah what they do not know? And how are Moses and Elijah standing at that same point in time?

…

A very rich suggestion, by some, is that this moment, on this mountain, joins two other moments on two other mountains: Moses on Mt. Sinai as He stands in the divine light and Elijah on Mt. Horeb as listens to the still, small voice of God. If you will, the space and time within a mandorla can accommodate all three. This would suggest that it is Christ who is unfolding the mystery of His departure, the mystery of the Cross, to Moses and Elijah. It is an approach that is probably my favorite.

Read the entire article: https://glory2godforallthings.com/2025/08/06/look-whos-talking-3/