NOVEMBER 4 / 17 NS 2023 ~ ALL OF YOUR HEART

ALL OF YOUR HEART - ALL OF YOUR HEART

ALL OF YOUR HEART

Need you be reminded that Christ asks for ALL OF YOUR HEART? Are you not aware that He has already freely given you everything this life has to offer? If you can admit that you are feeble and spiritually disfigured, you will wake up from this dream, turn to Him and He will show you infinitely more - even without asking.

Consider this! If our Lord expected us to function on faith alone, would He have become taken on the flesh (a "human being" as we like call ourselves - but among many in the Middle East - "Sons of Adam") to be known by thousands of others? Did He not fast, eat, drink and tire with us? Did He not weep like us? Did He not suffer and die for us, in the same way other sons of Adam have?

His love and miracles tell us that there is far, far more, infinitely more, than the senses can grasp! Don't think for a moment that if, in your heart, you exchange every last bit of your life, every jot and tittle, that you will have lost anything! He is the great Giver. Let's be honest, what do we have to offer Him? Even love came from Him and without limit, so that we could give it to Him and others, without limit. Again, all of your heart means EVERY aspect of your life. In other words, desire nothing but Christ.
Never doubt! When this is accomplished, He will confirm it from within you, that you may not doubt.

Our Divine Trinity, doesn't require your blood but asks that you martyr your association with this transient world - IF - you wish life eternal which is Christ. Make no mistake, its your choice! This is exactly what He offers and again, He makes it clear with an IF because we are free! When Satan whispers praise to convince you that you are satisfied with your struggle with what you have accomplished, reply, with all your being, all your strength, all your will, to the thought saying: Get thee behind me Satan!

Is there no simple way to accomplish total devotion to Christ you may ask? Yes, the simple remembrance of Him! In doing so, all things will be given to you. And if you question your ability to accomplish unceasing remembrance of Christ, never forget....what's not possible with man is possible with God and thus the quote from the holy Athonite father Porphyrios below.

Elder Porphyrios of Athos

O N   T H E   P R A Y E R   O F   J E S U S

Tuesday May 24/June 6 ns 2023 > • St. Symeon of the Wondrous Mountain, St. Vincent of Lérins  NO FASTING ALL WEEK >> Rom. 1:1–7, 13–17; St. Matt. 4:23–5:13 >>> O TASTE AND SEE

O TASTE AND SEE

In Christ's Church we are exposed to preaching, guidance from the saints, fasting, celebrating the feasts, and so on and on!  The objective of all of it and life itself is not only to provide the means by which we are made a citizen of Paradise but until then to endure this world of God given beauty, stricken by war, hatred, inhumanity and death – the work of an angel who was kicked out of Paradise.  

You may ask, since we must have faith until then, isn’t a small taste of Paradise allowed, possibly like fragrance from food?  Yes is the answer.   Were we not told to TASTE AND SEE by the Holy Prophet?   How big of a taste do we need you may ask?  We may claim to have faith but if a mustard seed of faith is enough to move a mountain, what does that tell you?  Obviously it only takes a little but the question is, just how much do you desire that taste?  

Does our Father in Heaven love us infinitely?  All we need do is ask, yes, just ask but we must abandon all desire for everything else beforehand. What is the meaning of all desire?  You already know the answer.  Lets put it this way.  You are in the middle of ocean, drowning and going under for the last time, how much would you like a lifebuoy thrown to you?    Is this brief life not a sinking ship?  O our souls, why are we sleeping?

Everyone, even the unbelievers, will meet Christ face to face and with all our being desire a word from Him:  Come!

  

Evlogetaria 

Blessed are Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.

The Choir of the Saints has found the Fountain of Life, and the Door of Paradise. May I also find the way through repentance: the sheep that was lost am I; call me back, O Savior, and save me.

O Blessed are Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.

Thou Who of old did fashion me out of nothingness, and with Thine Image divine did honor me; but because of transgression of Thy commandments did return me again to the earth where I was taken; lead me back to be refashioned into that ancient beauty of Your Likeness.

Blessed are Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes

Image am I of Your unutterable glory, though I bear the scars of my stumblings. Have compassion on me, the work of Your hands, O Sovereign Lord, and cleanse me through Your loving-kindness; and the homeland of my heart's desire bestow on me by making me a citizen of Paradise.

Blessed are Thou, O Lord; teach me Thy statutes.

Give rest, O God, unto Thy servant, and appoint for him (her) a place in Paradise; where the choirs of the Saints, O Lord, and the just will shine forth like stars; to Thy servant that is sleeping now do Thou give rest, overlooking all his (her) offenses.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

The Trinal Radiance of One Godhead with reverent song acclaiming let us cry; Holy art Thou, O Eternal Father, and Son also Eternal, and Spirit Divine; shine with Thy light on us who with faith adore Thee; and from the fire eternal rescue us.

Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Hail, O Gracious Lady, that in the flesh bears God for salvation of all; and through whom the human race has found salvation: through thee may we find Paradise, Theotokos, our Lady pure and blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia; Glory to Thee, O God. (x3)

 

Tuesday May 10 / 23 ns 2023 THE HARE

C H R I S T   I S   R I S E N !

May 20 ns 2023 > HEART IN THE PALM

 

HEART IN THE PALM

Approach our Father with upturned hands, holding in them, your heart, a meek heart from which love for the passions has been circumcised and in humility expecting from Him restitution.   He is closer than your eyes, the same eyes that have been granted to touch the clouds and the stars.

Friday April 28 / May 11 ns 2023 HOW IS IT GOING?

How is it going with what, you may ask!

We can be so very blind. Can we completely deny that our hearts burn within us, making us aware not only of the existence of God but that He is close? Could it be more obvious that God is telling us directly and confirming it through countless saints and martyrs that this isn't the only life. Confirmed by death, could it be more obvious than the fact that He allows a temporary life to see how we do with it before He invites us into an eternal one?

He says: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. He is referring to the end of each soul's temporary life in this world, correct? If understood to mean the end of the world, then what is there to endure when we are dead?