Troparion Tone 2
Saint Andrew the First of your name, first apostle among apostles, pray that we have your strength and faith to serve the earthly church today and every day. With dignity and wisdom, we pray your hear our prayers and supplications.
Reading from the Book of Galatians
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
~Chapter: 2, Verses: 1 to 5
Reading from the Book of Hebrews
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
~Chapter: 16, Verses: 13 to 19
Gospel of John
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you
~Chapter: 15, Verses: 12 to 15
Homily
Today my Dearest Brethren we celebrate the life and service of Andrew first Apostle. It is in the constant faith and service he lived in that we can find the example of how to perform service to each other and our superiors in the Synod on this holy feast day of our Patron. In Galatians we are told to help each other and carry each others burdens as we serve Christ together. The goal is not to surpass but assist always those who are serving with us to bring forth the Holy Earthly Church.
The second Reading from Hebrews reminds us to communicate service with joy, and to serve superiors without complaint or grief and to pray for those we serve that their wisdom and grace can be found in our own works and our good serve theirs. It is in the effort of both the servant and whom he serves that God is pleased and advances in the true work of God’s Righteous Kingdom serve all.
John teaches us that even when we are unaware of God’s plan, he will make it known to us through faith and service. That when we love and serve alongside our brothers in peace, all flourish. As he loves us, we must continue that love to keep this commandant. To serve and sacrifice together is to know the love necessary to build and live in God’s Kingdom here on earth and beyond. Let us rejoice and look anew at what our service can build.
~Elisheva+
