Let Us Be Attentive: Reflections on the Sunday and Feast Day Scripture Readings of the Orthodox Church - Fr Stavros Akrotirianakis

n nI pray that this book will help each of us in not only understanding the Scriptures, but will empower each of us to share our understanding with others. Indeed, this book is titled Let Us Be Attentive because in being attentive to the Scriptures, we receive the spiritual nourishment that keeps our personal faith dynamic and enables and empowers us to spread the gospel truth in our church communities and far beyond. n His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodios of Bostonn n n What is the Bible trying to tell us?n n n The Bible is the most significant and most widely read book in world history. Both Christians and non-Christians are familiar with its name: everyone knows what the Bible is.

However, many Christians struggle to read the Bible. For many, the book is even too intimidating to start. Others struggle to understand what they are reading or to apply it to their lives. n n n The answers, though, are right before you. n n n Every time a word of Scripture is read in the Orthodox Church, it is preceded by the phrase Let us be attentive.

Two thoughts come to mind as we contemplate these words. First, we are reminded to pay attention to what we are about to hear. Second, we realize that we need to attend to and act on the information we hear.

If the scriptures tell us, as an example, to forgive our neighbor seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22), then we need to be attentive in our lives and make sure that we are more forgiving towards others, including those who hurt us or are our enemies. n n n May God open your hearts as you read this book so you can better comprehend the messages provided in Scripture and apply them throughout your life's daily journey to salvation. n n