Contemplations – Page 399 – Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” Colossians 4:2 . “The highest level of thanksgiving is to give thanks to God over tribulations. We thank God over the tribulations from which He saved us…. But, what is greater than this is also thank Him over the prevailing tribulations which we bear and live in. By faith we believe it is for our good. To endure and bear tribulations, is a virtue. To be content with the tribulation and accept it is a greater virtue. And what is more important is to give thanks over the tribulation with…

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” Colossians 4:2 . “The highest level of thanksgiving is to give thanks to God over tribulations. We thank God over the tribulations from which He saved us…. But, what is greater than this is also thank Him over the prevailing tribulations which we bear and live in. By faith we believe it is for our good. To endure and bear tribulations, is a virtue. To be content with the tribulation and accept it is a greater virtue. And what is more important is to give thanks over the tribulation with…

Nov 1, 2016

“They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.” Psalm 98:6 . “Prayer is a request for what is good, offered by the devout of God. But we do not restrict this request simply to what is stated in words… We should not express our prayer merely in syllables, but the power of prayer should be expressed in the moral attitude of our soul and in the virtuous actions that extend throughout our life… This is how you pray continually — not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so…

“They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.” Psalm 98:6 . “Prayer is a request for what is good, offered by the devout of God. But we do not restrict this request simply to what is stated in words… We should not express our prayer merely in syllables, but the power of prayer should be expressed in the moral attitude of our soul and in the virtuous actions that extend throughout our life… This is how you pray continually — not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so…

Oct 31, 2016

“Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 . “The sign of sincere love is to forgive wrongs done to us. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world.” St Mark the Ascetic #Love #doeverythingwithLove #departureofStJohntheShort #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 . “The sign of sincere love is to forgive wrongs done to us. It was with such love that the Lord loved the world.” St Mark the Ascetic #Love #doeverythingwithLove #departureofStJohntheShort #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Oct 30, 2016

“He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 90:11 . On one occasion Abba Moses the black was engaged in a war against fornication, and he could not endure being in his cell, and he went and informed Abba Isidore of it; and the old man entreated him to return to his cell, but he would not agree. And having said, “Father I cannot bear it,” the old man took him up to the roof of his cell and said unto him, “Look to the west,” and when he looked he saw…

“He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.” Psalm 90:11 . On one occasion Abba Moses the black was engaged in a war against fornication, and he could not endure being in his cell, and he went and informed Abba Isidore of it; and the old man entreated him to return to his cell, but he would not agree. And having said, “Father I cannot bear it,” the old man took him up to the roof of his cell and said unto him, “Look to the west,” and when he looked he saw…

Oct 29, 2016

“and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 . “Your rock is your faith, which is the foundation of the church. If you are a rock, you will be a church. And if you are in the church, not even the gates of Hades will be able to overcome you.” St. Ambrose #FaithinChrist #ourRock #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 . “Your rock is your faith, which is the foundation of the church. If you are a rock, you will be a church. And if you are in the church, not even the gates of Hades will be able to overcome you.” St. Ambrose #FaithinChrist #ourRock #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Oct 28, 2016

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 . “The greatness of the things, together with the weakness of those to whom they are granted, reveal the might of God. The expression “earthen” hints to the weakness of our mortal nature and fragile body, which is not any better than earthen vessels, that would easily break.” St. John Chrysostom #treasure #earthenvessels #Godspower #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 . “The greatness of the things, together with the weakness of those to whom they are granted, reveal the might of God. The expression “earthen” hints to the weakness of our mortal nature and fragile body, which is not any better than earthen vessels, that would easily break.” St. John Chrysostom #treasure #earthenvessels #Godspower #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Oct 27, 2016