Dec 16, 2015
Scripture of the Day:
Isaiah
52:7-10 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2052:7-10)
Thought of the day: Joy as wellspring of worship
In
today’s scripture portion God commands his people to “Break forth together into
singing” (Isaiah 52:9). God also provides the reason why people will sing
together. The joy of knowing the gospel compel the people to worship. It should
be noted that the prophet is referring to a corporate worship. One of the
defining features of Orthodox faith is its emphasis on corporate worship. In
fact this is evident in a place like Albany. If we were to go to any of the
Orthodox churches on a Sunday morning we would find believers gathered together
and doing very similar actions. While the particular gestures, symbols,
language and vestments might be distinguishable, the essential “work” of the
Liturgies is the same (the word liturgy means the work of the people). The
wellspring of this common “work” is the joy that the believers share in knowing
that Lord has returned to Zion (Isaiah 52:8).
Song of the Day:
Icon of the Day:
Icon of
the transfiguration: https://iconreader.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/transfiguration-icon-the-event-and-the-process/
Quote of the day:
How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My
soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh
sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:1-2
