Malankara World

Weekly Devotional

The Pre-Existence Of Christ

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 22 January 2011 (14 Tobi;14 Tuba):
After Feast of Theophany.
St. Aidan of Canterbury; Obediah the Prophet.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to
all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
(Gal. 6:10)

CONSIDER THIS:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
(Bp. Thomas Ken)

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that
seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
(Psa. 34:10)

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and
manifested His Glory; and His disciples believed in Him.
(John 2:11)

O, my heart, why are you striving for happiness in this
world, when you know that there is no peace or joy in it?
(Mystery of Godliness)

When we were hurled down, God 'raised up a horn of
salvation for us.'
(Luke 1:69)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding
have all those who do His Commandments. His praise endures
forever.
(Psa. 111:10)

I do not ask you to look for the way. The way came to you.
Then stand up and walk ye in it.
(S. Augustine)

Acquire for yourself the love for executing the Commandments,
to deserve the Divine Love.
(Elder John Saba)

REFLECTION:

Courtesy is one of the properties of God, Who sends His sun
and rain to the just and the unjust through Courtesy. Courtesy
is the sister of Charity, by which hatred is overcome and love
is prized.

God of kindness, help us to make Christian Courtesy the rule of
our lives. Let us show that courtesy to all in every circumstance-
so that we may truly imitate you.
(S. Francis of Assisi)

HOMILY:

The Pre-Existence Of Christ

I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev. 22:13)

This dicitation is actual quotes that I have found in Scripture to highlight this claim.

Christ was with God in Creation: In the Beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen. 1:1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being in the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on high. (Heb. 1:1-3)

But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath annointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. (Heb. 1:8-10)

In whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers:* all things were created by Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. (Col. 1:14-17)

* These are but some of the Names of the Angelic Hierarchy.

Christ Claimed Pre-existence:

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58)

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love Me; for I proceedeth forth and came from God; neither came I of Myself, but He sent Me. (John 8:42)

And now O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. (John 17:5) And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." and He said, "this shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I AM hath sent me unto you.'" (Exodus 3:14)

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come for unto Me, He that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 65:4-5; Matt. 24:42-47.
Morning: Psalm 37:17-18 &29; Mark 13:33-37.
Liturgy: 1 Cor.3:4-23; 1 Peter 5:5-14; Acts 18:24-19:6;
Psalm 37:30-31; Gospel Luke 16:1-12.

Copyright DR

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