coptic Archives • Page 119 of 212 • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

Love of God is not something that can be taught. We did not learn from someone else how to rejoice in light or want to live, or to love our parents or guardians. It is the same – perhaps even more so – with our love for God: it does not come by another’s teaching. As soon as the living creature (that is, man) comes to be, a power of reason is implanted in us like a seed, containing within it the ability and the need to love. When the school of God’s law admits this power of reason, it cultivates it diligently, skilfully nurtures it, and with God’s help brings it to perfection- St Basil . . #Jesuswithin #lovewithinus #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Love of God is not something that can be taught. We did not learn from someone else how to rejoice …

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He does not need anything of ours, but we stand in need of all things from Him. In point of fact, thanksgiving adds nothing to Him, but it brings us closer to Him. For if, when we recall the benefactions of men, we are the more warmed by affection for them; much more, when we continually bring to mind the benefits of the Master towards us, shall we be more earnest with regard to His commandments. – St John Chrysostom . . #thanksgiving #praise #bringsjoy #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox #gratitude

He does not need anything of ours, but we stand in need of all things from Him. In point of …

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“As much as our love for God is, so will be our joy in Him in eternity, and will be our happiness.” – H.H. Pope Shenouda III #joy #departureofHEMetropolitanKyrillos #MetropolitanKyrillos #MayTheLordReposeHisSoulInTheParadiseOfJoy #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“As much as our love for God is, so will be our joy in Him in eternity, and will be …

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“Now it was not accidentally but part of the purpose of the divine dispensation that Christ came after the prophets. For God does not pursue all things at once, but accommodates Himself to mankind through His great mercy; for if they despised His Son coming after His servants, much less would they have heard Him before. For they who listened not to the inferior commands, how would they have heard the greater?” John Chrysostom . “For when a man despises the grace given him; and forth with falls into the cares of the world, he delivers himself over to his lusts; and thus in the time of persecution he is offended, and becomes altogether unfruitful. Now the prophet points out the end of such negligence, saying, ‘Cursed is he who doeth the work of the Lord carelessly.’ For a servant of the Lord should be diligent and careful, yea, moreover, burning like a flame, so that when, by an ardent spirit, he has destroyed all carnal sin, he may be able to draw near to God who, according to the expression of the saints, is called ‘a consuming fire.” St Athanasius #parableofvinedressers #befruitful #GodsentHisBelovedSon #coptic #orthodox #dailyreadings

“Now it was not accidentally but part of the purpose of the divine dispensation that Christ came after the prophets. …

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“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 within, where it is pleasing to God. Note: those ―foolish virgins, who brought no oil with them,‖ wish to please a human audience by that abstinence of theirs by which they are called virgins, and by their good works, when they seem to carry lamps. But wishing to please human spectators, doing praiseworthy works, they forgot to carry with them the necessary oil.” – St. Augustine #carryyouroil #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“What is the meaning of ―took no oil with them‖? What is ―in their lamps‖? In their hearts. For this …

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