On Envy
For envy is distress caused by your neighbor’s prosperity. Hence the jealous person is never free from anguish, never free from despair. Is your neighbor’s field fertile? Is his household thriving with all that contributes to a good life? Is the man never unhappy? All these things feed the illness and increase the pain of the jealous person. Thus he is no different from a naked man who is injured by everything. Is someone brave? In good shape? These things strike the jealous person. Is someone else better looking? Another blow for the jealous person. Does so-and-so stand above the pack by reason of the superior talents of his soul? Is he admired and esteemed for his prudence and ability to speak eloquently? Is another person rich, and greatly honored for his charitable donations and sharing with those in need, and highly praised by the recipients of his benefactions? All these things are blows and wounds, striking the very center of jealous person’s heart.
And what makes this illness unbearable is that the jealous person cannot divulge it. On the contrary, he hangs his head in shame, downcast, troubled, moaning, unnerved by this evil. But when asked about the cause of his suffering, he is embarrassed to disclose his affliction. “I am resentful and bitter. The goods of my friend aggravate me. I am depressed by the joy of my brother. I cannot bear the sight of others’ goods. Instead I turn the good fortune of my neighbors into affliction.” Now this is what he would say if he were willing to speak the truth. Since he chooses not to divulge any of this, in the depths of his heart he represses his illness, which slowly consumes his insides and eats him up.
†St. Basil the Great
On Christian Doctrine & Practice (Popular Patristics Series, “Homily on Humility,” p.133-134.)
Volunteers are needed to cook or provide take-out for approximately two homeless families. You will deliver meals (no contact) to 2501 Milltown Rd (across from St. Michael’s) on Monday, August 29th, Tuesday, August 30th, or Thursday, September 1st, at 6:00pm. Please sign up on the poster board in the Narthex. Details will follow. See or call Maria (Sue) D’Orazio with any questions. Cell: (512)781‑5435 Email: suemariedorazio@gmail.com
On Saturday, August 6th we welcomed two new members to St. Michael's. Photine (Celeste) Bond was welcomed into the Church by the sacrament of Chrismation. Theophan (Mahcia) Davis was welcomed into the Church by the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. May God grant health, happiness, and many blessed years to Photine and Theophan!
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Date | 3rd Hour | 6th Hour | Epistle |
Aug 21 | Wojciechowski | Peck | Peck |
Aug 28 | Vojacsek | Skomorucha | Carey |
Sep 4 | Riley | Riley | Riley |
Date | Coffee Hour | Service Duty | Church Cleaners |
Aug 14 | Pacienza | Hojnicki / Najemy | S. Peck |
Aug 21 | Clause / Burns | Telep / Baldychev | N. Carey |
Aug 28 | Emmelia P. / Jacquelyn P. | Bunitsky / Morjana | Baldychev / Shatley‑Sylvest |
Sep 4 | Riley / Hojnicki / Flynn | Riley / Riley | Plummer |
Date | Servers |
Aug 14 | Burns / Crozier |
Aug 21 | Crozier / Jones |
Aug 28 | Jones / Sullivan |
Sep 4 | Sullivan / Burns |
Sep 11 | Burns / Jones |
Sep 18 | Sullivan / Crozier |
30 Jul 2022 at 2:57pm
Important Dates
09/14/22
Great Feast:
The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos
Divine Liturgy with Chrismation
Monday, August 15th
Great Feast:
Nativity of the Theotokos
Divine Liturgy with Chrismations
Thursday, September 8th
Great Feast:
Exaltation of the Precious Cross
Wednesday, September 14th