Akathist by Mykhayl

“Martha, Martha, your are worried and troubled about many things. Only one thing is needed and your sister has chosen it…” (Luck 10:39) that is to listen to and reflect Christ. Even serving does not overshadow enlightenment.

Here are how-to chapters on celebrating the liturgical year under the heading of “Martha, Martha”. The domestic (kitchen) church is the heart of any religion. Its soul might be experienced in its monasteries and its intellect in its temples but if it is not loved in the home it is dead. Man bases his intellect on what he knows, he understands what he knows by redeveloping it.

Jesus said “Let the little children come to Me. Do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God. I tell you surely, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:14-5). “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one like this little child in My name receives Me” (Matt 18:3-5).

Some skeptics may disregard the kitchen church as play acting. There are Pharisees today who insist meditation is superior to experience events in an reenactment. A liturgy with a concert ambiance is inspiring, yet the first was simply reenacting with these words by Christ “Take, eat; this is My body… Drink from it, all of you. For this is My body of the new covenant, which is shed for all for the remission of sin” (Matt 26:26-8). “Do This in remembrance of Me” (Luck 22:19). Our reenactments recalling these events together with our incantation to the Holy Spirit inviting Him/Her to change these gifts and us into Christ, yet some still can’t believe. Academic solitar is for many their forte even though Jesus said “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and wherever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I tell you if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt 18:18-20). Although some things are best left to the hands of the priests trained in these areas. Aamong them are Pharisees who reflect upon all as playacting while struggling in their personal disbelief. Why would it surprise anyone if they scoff at our enactments? Regardless they are “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110:4 / Hebrews 5:6) not Levite, while yours is “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9)

We invite you to join us in these subsequent chapters to see how some have kept the faith through the ages for the many. It is organic so it is still deveoloping. Be part of this development. Share your insight with us. There is more to witnessing then martyrdom, though if you spoke to some of the Marthas you would doubt it.