This past Sunday we concentrated on the importance of the Scriptural Readings. We said that we need to approach them as eager scientists, those are truly searching for the benefit of humanity, to discover the Truth, Who is Jesus the Lord.

Why do we read the Epistle first? "The words of the Apostle is an Evagelion, Good News but the words of Christ are greater. And in order to show more honor to the Lord we stand while His message is preached. For the same reason we bring out the Altar Servers holding candles for the Gospel reading. "He is the light of the world".

In the Divine Liturgy there should be no idle time. Either we pray or we chant or we contemplate on God's great power and long suffering. For this reason it was suggested to you that the time between the alleluia and the start of the Gospel reading be used as such: a) ask of God to help you understand His message b) ask of God to open someone else ’s mind to His Word (friend, relative, a catechumen, a non-believer). Also, according to Saint John Chrysostom, before we begin reading the Epistle or the Gospel passages at home we should ask of the Apostle or the Evangelist to help us in understanding those particular verses.

The alleluia that is chanted right after the Epistle reading belongs to the Gospel. Alleluia means 'praise the Lord' and who is coming to preach to us after the Apostolos? Jesus Christ the Lord! For this reason the celebrant Priest censes the Gospel book still on the Altar Table.
Brothers and sisters in the Incarnate Lord, when the Word of God is preached correctly and the faithful receive it in their hearts, all evil vanishes, sin is conquered, heresies are thrown into delirium. Are we thirsty enough to run to the fountain of Truth? How many people come to the Bible classes? Do not say 'we have no time'. When our children are "eaten alive" in college campuses by so many heretical teachings how can we give this excuse? I will give you one example. There are 'Christians' out there who preach that when Christ comes back He will establish a kingdom here on earth and His 'favorite' people will live with Him for a thousand years drinking milk and eating honey having a good time. These heresies our Orthodox children listen to in colleges. I KNOW FOR CERTAIN!!!

These people misinterpret the book of Revelation. NEVER listen to explanations of Scripture from such false mouths. Just from this one scandal you can fall into other false teachings.
In Christ's service,

Father Christos.