You no doubt know of St. Mary of Egypt but have you read her story? Today on Lord Send Me, Fr. John reads the miraculous story of this saint's life. You can also read it here: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/maryegypt.asp

Fr. John Parker speaks on the rule of St. Benedict, and how it caries over into the role of the parish priest in his community.

Fr. John Parker reflects on the services of Bridegroom Matins.

Professor Humphrey here tackles the difficult passage of Romans 10:1-10, showing that it echoes Deuteronomy 30. Here we see the mistake of interpreting the religion of Israel as a cold and legalistic religion of laws, and are called to generosity of spirit in praying for all who do not know Christ, including the Jewish people, whom St. Paul declares to be “beloved for the sake of their forefathers.”

This week’s readings for divine liturgy correct any notion we might have that the physical, material world does not matter. While the physical is ordered under the spiritual realm by God, it is also meant to be taken up into it, transformed. We see this careful balance and valuing of the spiritual and material worlds in the lives of the Theotokos and St. Edith of Wilton, as well as in the Old Testament narratives of the “fiery serpent” and the promised “new heavens and new earth.”

Consider this difficult story (Matthew 15: 21-28) of Jesus ‘refusing’ to help, and consider the mercy, rather than the fairness of our mysterious and compassionate Lord. The Fathers and the Old Testament help us through this awkward gospel reading.

We read the well-known story of Matthew 8:28-9:1, appointed for this week’s Divine Liturgy, with special attention to the phenomenon of demon possession. Though the Old Testament has little to say about demons, it prepares us for the great miracle of the Incarnation, in which God visits us intimately, making us his own. Possession may be seen as the pale imitation of this mighty visitation, in which Satan and his emissaries try to draw near to us in destruction—but are vanquished by the Author of all goodness.

Daring to be Different: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Second of Luke, and feast day of the Apostle Ananias. Our readings for this week (2 Cor 6:16-18, 7:1; Luke 6:31-36) bring us face-to-face with an uncomfortable part of our faith: we are to be “holy” or different. We look to the challenge God gives to Israel in Exodus, and the promises to fulfill this holiness in the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel to help us to understand our calling.

This coming Sunday, we read Hebrews 9:11-14, which speaks about how Jesus our Lord has cleansed our consciences. We understand these verses with the help of St. John Chrysostom, Leviticus 16, and Jeremiah 31:33.

The final section of the book of Revelation leads us to a sense of deep mystery, yet satisfaction. We read Rev 22:8-21 in the light of Deut 30:19; Genesis 1-3; Deut 30:19; Daniel 8:26, 12:14.

This week we read the first part of Canticle 9 (Luke 1:46-55); interpreting it in the light of Hannah’s song, David’s joy in the Ark of the Lord (2 Sam/2 Kingdoms 6:9-15) 2 Cor 10:15, and Gen 22:17-18. Her humility and joy are models for us as we learn to “magnify” the Savior.

We consider the first of the Lamp-lighting Psalms, Psalm 140 (MT141), with the help of select Church fathers, and in the light of Numbers 16; 2 Corinthians 5:21-6:1; Romans 5:1-2, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-4.

We move on in this episode to consider the second royal psalm of Matins, Psalm 20 LXX/21 Hebrew, and see it in the light of Psalm 36/37, as well as 2 Samuel 3. Amazingly, the glory that the LORD Jesus shares with His Father makes its mark on us, as well!

Sober joy is the atmosphere of the second group of ascent songs, based on Psalms LXX 122-124 (MT 123-125). While aware of human need, we also meditate upon the security found among the people of God, and the presence of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and the whole world, helped in our thinking by Ephesians 6:10-17, 2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 8:26-27.

In this episode we read Esther 3:13a-g, 5:1-13 LXX, and 8:12a-I, considering the royal decrees of the king, the dramatic scene where Esther enters his presence without invitation, and the misinformation about the Jewish people which he finally rejects. We are helped in seeing the significance of these fascinating scenes by recourse to Psalm 85/6, Phil 2:5-11, and 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Bearing the Saint, Chapter fifteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters fifteen and sixteen.

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter fifteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Children’s Bible Reader, part fifteen, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Water from the rock" "Moses on Mount Sinai" "The Ten Commandments" "The golden calf"

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until August 9, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 13, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 20, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until September 27, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until October 4, 2013.

The Illustrated Life of the Theotokos for Children by Georgia and Helen Hronos, (Light and Life Publishing, 1990). This audio is only available until October 11, 2013.

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter fifteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Nativity and Early Life of St. John the Forerunner, by Lily Parascheva Rowe, illustrated by Roland J Ford (St. Stylianos Books, 2012)

The Edge of Mysterion, Chapter Fifteen, by Richard Rene (Conciliar Press, 2011)

"The Crucifixion of the Lord," from Feasts of Christ and the Theotokos and Miracles of the Lord by Spiritual Fragrance Publishing (2012)

A Gift for Matthew, written by Nick Muzekari, illustrated by Masha Lobastov, Ancient Faith Publishing (2014)

The Gift: A Story of Saint Onuphrius the Great, by Stefania Carmen Bray, illustrated by Masha Lobastov (Panagia Press, 2015).

Life in the Shed, from The Adventures of a Little Ringtail Complete Series (2015). Anna Larsen Books. Available from St. Anthony's Monastery Bookstore

Seeds of Life by Alisa Rakich Brooks, illustrated by R. E. Bursik (St. Sebastian Press, 2019) Available from St. Sebastian Press

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Fifteen, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

3. Chrissi reads The Life of St. Patrick: Enlightener of the Irish by Zachary Lynch, Conciliar Press, 2006 and Basil's Search for Miracles by Heather Zydek, part 1, Conciliar Press, 2007.

23. Book 1: The Life of Saint Nina, Equal-to-the-Apostles by Nina Seco (St. Nectarios Press, 1991) Book 2: From I-Ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou, part 1 (Uncut Mountain Press, 2006)

27. Book 1: Your Special Gift by Max Lucado (Crossway Books, 2006). Copyright© Used with permission by Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187 Book 2: From I-ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou part five (Uncut Mountain Press, 2006)

34. Book 1: The Life of Saint Nicholas The Wonder-Worker by Nina Seco (St. Nectarios Press, 1994) Book 2: Christ in the Old Testament: Prophecy Illustrated compiled and edited by Thomas Hopko (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2002)

78. Book 1: "Jesus at the Age of Twelve" from The Bible for Young People by Zoe Kanavas (Narthex Press, 2005) (5.06 mins) Book 2: The Life of Saint Martin of Tours by Verena Smith (St. Nectarios Press, 2008; first published by Burns & Oates Ltd, 1966) (19.38 mins)

107. The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare by Jane G. Meyer (Conciliar Press Ministries, 2009)

125. The Life of Saint Nicholas by Nina Seco (St. Nectarios Press, 1994).

139. The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare by Jane G Meyer (Conciliar Press Ministries, 2009).

"The Story of Three Girls" from The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

"God's Chosen One" from The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part One. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

"The Story of Three Girls" from The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 2. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 3. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 4. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).

The Life and Miracles of Saint Nicholas, the Wonderworker by Count Michael Tolstoy - Part 5. The Publishing House of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (2001).