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Judith 8:17 LXX

Therefore, while we await His deliverance, let us call upon Him to help us, and if it pleases Him He will hear our voice.

Personal Challenge

It is one thing to lift up a prayer when a troubling situation happens and hope that the Lord will intervene, but it is an entirely different thing to get into a state of prayer where we are continually praying throughout the situation seeking God’s guidance, mercy, and love. All to often I send off that first prayer and then immediately set off on resolving the situation on my own accord. This never works out the way that it would if I would be in constant communication with my Lord. All the more reason to develop a habit and a practice of praying without ceasing. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of god, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Judith 8:11-13 LXX

They came to her, and she said to them, “Listen to me now, rulers of the people of Bethulia! Your words spoken today to the people are not right, nor is the oath you have sworn and pronounced between God and yourselves, promising to surrender the city to our adversaries unless the Lord turns and helps you in so many days.

“Now who are you to have put God to the test this day, setting yourselves up as God’s equal among the sons of men? You are testing the Lord Almighty, but you will never come to know anything!”

Personal Challenge

As Christians, we can complain all we want about things like political correctness, godless political leaders, corrupt business leaders, bullies amongst us, and many other social ills around us, but what are we, what am I, willing to do to correct the problems. Here we see a whole group of people that challenge God to fix the problem in a set number of days or else they will surrender to the enemy. God wants us to be willing to sacrifice ourselves to further His truths, His kingdom. Doing what is right and true is never easy when everyone around you prefers the lie but this is what we are called to do. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Preaching of Peter

“Rich is he that hath mercy on many, and he that, imitating God, giveth of that he hath. For God hath given all things unto all, of his own creatures. Understand then, ye rich, that ye ought to minister, for ye have received more than ye yourselves need. Learn that others lack the things ye have in superfluity. Be ashamed to keep things that belong to others. Imitate the fairness (equality) of God, and no man will be poor.”

Judith 5:20-21 LXX

“Now my lord and master, if there is any sin of ignorance in this people and they sin against their God, then we will identify their offense and will go up to defeat them. But if there is no lawlessness in their nation, then let my lord leave them alone, lest their Lord shield them, and their God defend them, and we will become a reproach before the whole earth.”

Personal Challenge

The reputation of the Jewish nation was well known by their neighbors as Achior, the leader of the Ammonites, was explaining to the leaders of the Assyrian army here in Judith. What he articulates could still be applied to those who follow Christ today. The condensed version is that if God’s people stay true to Him and live their lives in lawlessness, as He describes lawlessness, then He will shield them, protect them, and become a reproach to anyone who confronts them. What a clear explanation of God’s love for His children and our responsibility to Him. Glory be to God!

Tobit 4:16

From your bread, give to him who is hungry, and from your clothing, give to the naked. If you have more than you need, do almsgiving, and do not let your eye envy the almsgiving when you do it.

Personal Challenge

We often hear in the Orthodox Church about how important it is to be almsgivers. Often this takes the form of writing a check. Here in Tobit we are reminded that almsgiving also includes engaging with the poor, those who are hungry, those who are naked, and those who are down and out. Sometimes the greatest gift that we can give to a person in need is our time, a listening ear, and most importantly a piece of ourselves. This is truly being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Tobit 1:6

But I alone traveled frequently to Jerusalem for the feast days, as it is written for all of Israel in an everlasting ordinance. I would carry the firstfruits and the tithes of my harvest and the first-shearing.

Personal Challenge

Tobit reminds us that living a life for God is not a convenient life. He wants us to love our neighbor…all of them, all of the time. He wants us to be a beacon that shows His Light…all of the time. He wants us to sacrifice ourselves for Him and others. This can be difficult. But isn’t it wonderful that the more we fall in love with Him, the more we learn to appreciate His love for us, the more willing we are to do the hard things and to do them joyfully? Glory be to God!

Ezra 9:54-55 (1 Esdras LXX)

Then everyone went on their way to eat and drink, to gladden themselves, to give gifts to those who were lacking, and to heartily rejoice. For they were inspired by the words which were taught to them, and they gathered together.

Personal Challenge

So, here is the question, “Am I so inspired by the words of my Lord that I hear and read that I run out rejoicing?” When the disciples on the road to Emmaus had the scriptures revealed to them by our resurrected and living Lord, their hearts burned within them. Does mine during every liturgy? Does mine after every class or study time? Not as it should! The revelation of our Lord is not just for my intellectual edification. It should be burning in my heart and changing my behavior. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!