“There were about four thousand people. He dismissed them." (Mark 8:9)
Saint Jerome offers the following insight on this verse from today’s Gospel:
“From the lesser number of men [four thousand], less remains; from the greater number [five thousand], more is left over. Four thousand men—fewer certainly in number, but greater in faith. The one who is greater in faith eats more, and because he does, there is less left over! I wish that we, too, might eat more of the hardy bread of holy writ, so that there would be less left over for us to learn.” (Tractate on the Gospel of Mark, Homily 78)
Collect
O God, Who enlightened the Slavic peoples
through the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius,
grant that our hearts may grasp the words of Your teaching,
and perfect us as a people of one accord
in true faith and right confession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
through the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius,
grant that our hearts may grasp the words of Your teaching,
and perfect us as a people of one accord
in true faith and right confession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
