11
December 2013
And the Angel said to her,
“Greetings,
O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the
saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel
said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his
name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And
the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign
over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke
1:28-33).
Merry Christmas!
29 October 2013
On the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
There are numerous gifts of the Holy Spirit specified in Isaiah 11 that are presence in the fullness of Jesus Christ and can be viewed as a manifestation of sanctifying grace. The most important spiritual gift for us is justifying faith. The Greek word charisma means “a gift of grace” and a special gift the Holy Spirit gives Christians according to his purpose. Saint Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, enumerates many but not all of the gifts from the Holy Spirit. In a Christian Community, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are nurtured through regular and reverent use of Word and Sacraments found in Eucharistic Mass. As members of the body of Christ, we are to love and honor each other as the role of gifts of the Spirit profits all. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10-11).
7 March 2013
The Paschal Homily of ST. Chrysostom (Read Each Year at Pascha)
Is there anyone who is a
devout lover of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Is there
anyone who is a grateful servant? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of
their Lord!
Are there any weary with
fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first
hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth
hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed
until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who
arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afraid by reason of his
delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first. He
gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as well as to him that
toiled from the first. To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows. He
accepts the works as He greets the endeavor. The deed He honors and the
intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord! First and last alike receive
your reward; rich and poor, rejoice together! Sober and slothful, celebrate the
day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not, rejoice today for
the Table is richly laden! Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one. Let
no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith. Enjoy all the riches
of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been
revealed. Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness
has risen from the grave. Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior
has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when
He descended into it. He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said, "You, O Hell, have been troubled by
encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with. It was in an uproar
because it is mocked. It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed. It is in an
uproar, for it is annihilated. It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It
took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting? O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and
the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is
Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its
dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of
those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
