5th Week After Holy Cross

1 Corinthians 4:1-13
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is of course required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. It does not concern me in the least that I be judged by you or any human tribunal; I do not even pass judgment on myself; I am not conscious of anything against me, but I do not thereby stand acquitted; the one who judges me is the Lord. Therefore, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God. I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over against another. Who confers distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it? You are already satisfied; you have already grown rich; you have become kings without us! Indeed, I wish that you had become kings, so that we also might become kings with you. For as I see it, God has exhibited us apostles as the last of all, like people sentenced to death, since we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and human beings alike. We are fools on Christ’s account, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clad and roughly treated, we wander about homeless and we toil, working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we respond gently. We have become like the world’s rubbish, the scum of all, to this very moment.

Mark 4:26-29
He said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.”

Prayer of the Faithful, vol. III
RAMSHO – SECOND PRAYER
Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
O Lord,
prepare for us a place in that world of happiness and glory
that you have made ready for your chosen ones;
grant eternal rest to all those who in sincere faith have
left this passing world.
Forgive them and all our faults,
and with all the saints we shall give thanks to you.
To you be glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and forever.
Amen.

Saint of the day: Saint Artemius Megalomartyr, died 363 A.D. by Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate. (Also known as Artemios of Antioch and Artemois the Greatmartyr)
Under Emperor Constantine he was a military leader and Imperial Prefect of Egypt. With the ascendency of Julian to the Roman throne, who left the Christian faith ans persecuted it; Artemois for a while embraced the Arian heresy. After returning to the Catholic faith he turned on pagans, the Emperor Julian being now a pagan had Artemois executed.

Meditation:
Chapter X.-Exhortations to Prayer, Humility, Etc.
And pray without ceasing in behalf of other men. For there is in them hope of repentance that they may attain to God. See, then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting: to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error, be steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty, manifest your gentleness. While we take care not to imitate their conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness; and let us seek to be followers of the Lord (who was ever more unjustly treated, more destitute, more condemned), that so no plant of the devil may be found in you, but may remain in all holiness and sobriety in Jesus Christ, both with respect to the flesh and spirit.
And pray without ceasing in behalf of other men; for there is hope of repentance, that they may attain to God. For “cannot he that falls arise again, and he that goes astray return? “Permit them, then, to be instructed by you. Be therefore ministers of God, and the mouth of Christ. For thus says the Lord, “If you take forth the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth.”Be humble in response to their wrath; oppose their blasphemies with your earnest prayers; while they go astray, stand steadfast in the faith. Conquer their harsh temper by gentleness, their passion by meekness. For “blessed are the meek ; “and Moses was meek above all men; and David was exceedingly meek. Wherefore Paul exhorts as follows: “The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.”Do not seek to avenge yourselves on those that injure you, for says [the Scripture], If I have returned evil to those who returned evil to me.”Let us make them brethren by our kindness. For say to those that hate you, You are our brethren, that the name of the Lord may be glorified. And let us imitate the Lord, “who, when He was reviled, reviled not again ; “when He was crucified, He answered not; “when He suffered, He threatened not ; “but prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” If any one, the more he is injured, displays the more patience, blessed is he. If any one is defrauded, if any one is despised, for the name of the Lord, he truly is the servant of Christ. Take heed that no plant of the devil be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt. “Watch, and be sober,” in Christ Jesus.
St. Ignatius of Antioch, 35 – 108 A.D. – Epistle to the Ephesians