Contemplations – Page 439 – Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20 . “Nothing in this world can distress or perturb me, for I take refuge in the impregnable fortress of the Church. I am reassured in the bosom of God’s mercies. Comfort and blessing continuously flows from Him. The Lord’s grace flutters its wings and casts away all sadness, and heals the heart with its indescribable balm. Oh, how sweet it is! No one can withstand the trials of…

“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20 . “Nothing in this world can distress or perturb me, for I take refuge in the impregnable fortress of the Church. I am reassured in the bosom of God’s mercies. Comfort and blessing continuously flows from Him. The Lord’s grace flutters its wings and casts away all sadness, and heals the heart with its indescribable balm. Oh, how sweet it is! No one can withstand the trials of…

Sep 10, 2016

“O Lord, truly I am your servant” – Psalm 116:16 . “Do we return thanks to our servants, for waiting upon us? By no means. Yet God is thankful even to us, who serve not Him (as we should), but rather do that which is expedient for ourselves. But let us not act as if God owed us thanks. Let us act instead as if we were paying a debt. For the matter truly is a debt, and all that we do is of a debt. For if when we purchase slaves with our money, we wish them to live…

“O Lord, truly I am your servant” – Psalm 116:16 . “Do we return thanks to our servants, for waiting upon us? By no means. Yet God is thankful even to us, who serve not Him (as we should), but rather do that which is expedient for ourselves. But let us not act as if God owed us thanks. Let us act instead as if we were paying a debt. For the matter truly is a debt, and all that we do is of a debt. For if when we purchase slaves with our money, we wish them to live…

Sep 9, 2016

“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” Psalm 33:7 . “Let us keep our vigil, beloved; we also have those that are eager for our success, if we will. Near each one of us Angels are sitting;” St John Chrysostom #ArchangelRaphael #angels #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.” Psalm 33:7 . “Let us keep our vigil, beloved; we also have those that are eager for our success, if we will. Near each one of us Angels are sitting;” St John Chrysostom #ArchangelRaphael #angels #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Sep 8, 2016

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” – Luke 6:12 . “It says, “He passed the whole night in prayer.” A model is given to you. A form is prescribed which you must imitate.” – St. Ambrose . “All what the Lord Christ did was for our edification, and for the benefit of the believers in His name. He did everything to present to us an exalted example of the spiritual life, to worship Him by a true worship.” – St. Cyril…

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” – Luke 6:12 . “It says, “He passed the whole night in prayer.” A model is given to you. A form is prescribed which you must imitate.” – St. Ambrose . “All what the Lord Christ did was for our edification, and for the benefit of the believers in His name. He did everything to present to us an exalted example of the spiritual life, to worship Him by a true worship.” – St. Cyril…

Sep 7, 2016

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” . Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep…” John 21:16-17 . . May the role of love be the factor that feeds the sheep of God… those who aim at watching over the Lord’s sheep as though they were not the Lord’s, but rather owned by them, will be condemned since they love themselves and not the Lord. Such shepherds desire to boast, to possess power, or to make money. Seeking to be obedient, to serve and to please God…what do these indicate other…

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” . Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep…” John 21:16-17 . . May the role of love be the factor that feeds the sheep of God… those who aim at watching over the Lord’s sheep as though they were not the Lord’s, but rather owned by them, will be condemned since they love themselves and not the Lord. Such shepherds desire to boast, to possess power, or to make money. Seeking to be obedient, to serve and to please God…what do these indicate other…

Sep 6, 2016

“Come, for all things are now ready.” – Luke 14:17 . “What was the nature of the invitation? “Come, for look, all things are ready.” God the Father has prepared in Christ gifts for the inhabitants of the earth. Through Christ, he bestowed the forgiveness of sins, cleansing away of all defilement, communion of the Holy Spirit, glorious adoption as children, and the kingdom of heaven. To these blessings, Christ invited Israel, before all others, by the commandments of the gospel. Somewhere he has even said by the voice of the psalmist, “But I have been sent as a king…

“Come, for all things are now ready.” – Luke 14:17 . “What was the nature of the invitation? “Come, for look, all things are ready.” God the Father has prepared in Christ gifts for the inhabitants of the earth. Through Christ, he bestowed the forgiveness of sins, cleansing away of all defilement, communion of the Holy Spirit, glorious adoption as children, and the kingdom of heaven. To these blessings, Christ invited Israel, before all others, by the commandments of the gospel. Somewhere he has even said by the voice of the psalmist, “But I have been sent as a king…

Sep 5, 2016