orthodoxy Archives • Page 44 of 45 • Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:13-14 . . . James is not trying to take away our freedom to decide, but he is showing us that it is not just what we want that matters. We need God’s grace to complement our efforts and ought to rely not on them but on God’s love for us. As it says in Proverbs: “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1) – St. John Chrysostom #vapour #coptic #orthodoxy #christian #dailyreadings #submit #hiswill we look to the #lifeoftheworldtocome #everlastinglife

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year …

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And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. Acts 20:22-23 . . “Faith is not simply a belief but also a life… faith is not just to be mentally convicted but is an action inside the heart, to lead one through his life.” Pope Shenouda . #coptic #dailyreadings #bible #orthodoxy #faithtolead #faith #whentheroadisblurry #unclear and you don’t know #whatwillhappen

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me …

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Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 . . . There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him. Of course the prayer I have in mind is no matter of routine, it is deliberate and earnest. It is not tied down to a fixed timetable; rather it is a state which endures by night and day. . Prayer is the light of the soul, giving us true knowledge of God. It is a link mediating between God and man. By prayer the soul is borne up to heaven and in a marvellous way embraces the Lord. This meeting is like that of an infant crying on its mother, and seeking the best of milk. The soul longs for its own needs and what it receives is better than anything to be seen in the world. . Prayer is a precious way of communicating with God, it gladdens the soul and gives repose to its affections. You should not think of prayer as being a matter of words. It is a desire for God, an indescribable devotion, not of human origin, but the gift of God’s grace. As Saint Paul says: we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. . St John Chrysostom homilies on #prayer #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodoxy #prayerenlightensus #notinwordsonly #butinheart

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we …

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Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you – John 16:22 . . . In the house of God there is never ending festival; the angel choir makes eternal holiday; the presence of God’s face gives joy that never fails. Saint Augustine #joythatnoonecansteal #heaven #joyfromseeinggod #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodoxy

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no …

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“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:4 . “To obtain rest here and in the life to come, we have to struggle in planting the mother of all goodness, which is that of humility in our souls. In this way we are able to cross the sea of this world with no waves, and we conclude our journey to this peaceful harbour.” He moreover says, “Nothing is acceptable to God more than when man considers himself to be last of all. This is the foremost principle for practical wisdom. He who is modest and wounded in his heart will never like vain glory, or someone wrathful, or envious of his neighbour, or someone who resorts to any lust or passion.” – St. John Chrysostom #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodoxy #humility #servantofall #children #belikeachild

“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:4 . …

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