Contemplations – Page 366 – Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

“What is the meaning of ―took no oil with them‖? What is ―in their lamps‖? In their hearts. For this reason the apostle wrote, ―Indeed, this is our glory, the testimony of our conscience.‖14 There is the oil, the precious oil. This oil is of the gift of God. We can put oil into our lamps, but we ourselves cannot create the olive. See, I have oil. But did I create the oil? It is of the gift of God. So you have oil. Carry it with you. What does it mean to ―carry it with you‖? To have it…

“What is the meaning of ―took no oil with them‖? What is ―in their lamps‖? In their hearts. For this reason the apostle wrote, ―Indeed, this is our glory, the testimony of our conscience.‖14 There is the oil, the precious oil. This oil is of the gift of God. We can put oil into our lamps, but we ourselves cannot create the olive. See, I have oil. But did I create the oil? It is of the gift of God. So you have oil. Carry it with you. What does it mean to ―carry it with you‖? To have it…

Aug 12, 2017

“The peacemakers with others are not only those who reconcile enemies, but those who unmindful of wrongs cultivate peace. That peace only is blessed which islodged in the heart, and does not consist only in words. And they who love peace, they are the sons of peace. Or, if the peacemakers are they who do not contend one with another, but reconcile those that are at strife, they are rightly called the sons of God, seeing this was the chief employment of the Only-begotten Son, to reconcile things separated, to give peace to things at war.” St John Chrysostom #peace…

“The peacemakers with others are not only those who reconcile enemies, but those who unmindful of wrongs cultivate peace. That peace only is blessed which islodged in the heart, and does not consist only in words. And they who love peace, they are the sons of peace. Or, if the peacemakers are they who do not contend one with another, but reconcile those that are at strife, they are rightly called the sons of God, seeing this was the chief employment of the Only-begotten Son, to reconcile things separated, to give peace to things at war.” St John Chrysostom #peace…

Aug 11, 2017

“All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. “For what shall a man be profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? ”Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake.” St Ignatius of Antioch #liveforChrist #dieforChrist #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox #consecrationofchurchofStAnthony #StAnthonytheGreat

“All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. “For what shall a man be profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? ”Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake.” St Ignatius of Antioch #liveforChrist #dieforChrist #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox #consecrationofchurchofStAnthony #StAnthonytheGreat

Aug 10, 2017

“It is not he who begins well who is perfect. It is he who ends well who is approved in God’s sight.” Saint Basil #firstwillbelast #lastwillbefirst #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“It is not he who begins well who is perfect. It is he who ends well who is approved in God’s sight.” Saint Basil #firstwillbelast #lastwillbefirst #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Aug 9, 2017

“Your best servant is the one who is less intent on hearing from you what accords with his own will and more on embracing with his will what he has heard from you.” – St Augustine #UnderstandWhatTheWillOfTheLordIs #EmbraceHisWill #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“Your best servant is the one who is less intent on hearing from you what accords with his own will and more on embracing with his will what he has heard from you.” – St Augustine #UnderstandWhatTheWillOfTheLordIs #EmbraceHisWill #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Aug 8, 2017

“Suffering is one of the main factors strengthening the relationship between man and God. It allows man to experience a unique relationship with God and to attract him towards God. It is common that a suffering person who fails to get rid of his tribulation or to solve his problem on his own turns to God to deliver him. Even the Lord Himself encourages us to do so, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. (Psalms 50:15)” David had experienced this and said, “In the day of my trouble I…

“Suffering is one of the main factors strengthening the relationship between man and God. It allows man to experience a unique relationship with God and to attract him towards God. It is common that a suffering person who fails to get rid of his tribulation or to solve his problem on his own turns to God to deliver him. Even the Lord Himself encourages us to do so, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. (Psalms 50:15)” David had experienced this and said, “In the day of my trouble I…

Aug 7, 2017