Malankara World

Weekly Devotional

Lord's Prayer - 4

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 6 December 2008 (27 Hathor; 27 Hatour)
Columbanus of Bobbio.

You shall love the Lord Your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, with all your
strength, and with all your mind.
(Luke 10:27)

CONSIDER THIS:

The angel came to her and said, "Peace be with you!
The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!"
(Luke 1:28)

I have heard people mocking others, justifying this
as love and concern for them. I told them to stop
this kind of love, for the Holy Book said, 'Whoever secretly
slandereth his neighbor, him I will cut off.' (ps. 101:5)
(St. John Climacus)

My Help cometh from the Lord, Who hath made
heaven and earth.
(Psa. 121:2)

Do not think, within yourself, that you may acquire
a virtuous and good life for yourself without toil.
(Isaac the Syrian)

I filled my home and I feared the thieves, I acquired
gold, and I lost my sleep.
(St. Augustine)

The appearance of these Spirits (Angels), come in peace
and in silence; creates joy and courage in the soul, for
the Lord is our joy.
(Antony the Great)

We must seek Thee above all else, and not seek anything
else but Thee, for he who seeks Thee finds all in Thee.
(Ephrem the Syrian)

Demons leave us alone to make us careless,
then pounce on our miserable souls.
(John Climacus)

But He is of one nature, one hypostasis, and one
person, for God the Word.
(Holy Psalmody)

REFLECTION:

Love for Christ pierced Mary's heart in such a way
that no part of it was left unkindled. Mary thus fulfilled
the first Commandment of Love in all its fullness
and without the slightest imperfection.

Heavenly Father, help us to imitate Your Son's mother
in her love for Jesus. Grant us the grace to love You
as much as we can all our lives.
(St. Bernard)

HOMILY:

THE LORDS PRAYER (4)

FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US.

Jesus teaches that we can receive forgiveness from God, only if we forgive others. It is the Love of God that draws us to Him.

Jesus also added: 'If ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

He who is unforgiving, cuts off the very channel through which alone he can receive mercy from God. We should not think that unless those who have injured us confess the wrong they have done, we are justified in withholding from them our forgiveness. 'Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.' (Ephes. 4:32)

'The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' (1 John 1:7) 'If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' (1 John 1:9) see also Micah 7:18.

To Thee be Glory & Praise, now and ever unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 46:1-7; Gospel: Matt.1:16-22.
Morning: Psalm 146:1-5; Gospel: Matt.4:18-22.
Liturgy: Gal.1:1-19; James 1:1-12; Acts 15:13-21;
Psalm 78:5; 135:5; Gospel: Mark 10:35-45.

Being the Season of Advent I will print the Advent Collect as it appears in
the
Sarum Missal:

"Stir up, we beseeach Thee, O Lord, Thy power and come,
that we may be accounted worthy to be rescued, by Thy
protection from the threatening dangers of our sins;
and to be set free by Thy deliverance, Through Jesus
Christ Our Lord, who livest and reigneth, throughout all
ages, world without end.

AMEN.

(Per omnia saecula, saeculorum, AMEN)

Copyright DR

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