God's Mercies

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 4 April 2009 (26 Paremhat; 26 Baramhat):

And thou shalt love the Lord Thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and with all thy strength:
this is the first Commandment.
(Mark 12:30)

My Lord O Compassionate, help me. I hope to overcome
through fasting and prayer, the temptations of the world
and the plots of the devil.
(St. Augustine)

Fasting with out prayer and humility is like an
Eagle with broken wings.
(Macarius the Great)

No man has been entrusted with great things, without
having first been tried in small ones.
(Isaac the Syrian)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(Matt.5:8)

And they crucified Him, and parted His garments,
casting lots.
(Matt.27:35a)

In fighting against God, remember that there is no
chance whatever of success.
(W.E.H)

God has two dwellings: one in Heaven, and one
in a meek and thankful heart.
(Izaak Walton)

Pastoral care means visiting others accompanied by
God....And when you leave, you must have left God
in his home and in his heart.
(HH Shenouda III)

On the altar of confession, I lay my heart as an offering
and a sacrifice of praise. Kindle it with the flame of
your love, and do not allow anything to remind me of
myself.
(St. Augustine)

REFLECTION:

If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor,
approach God first with all your heart. Ask him simply
to fill you with love, the greatest of all virtues: with it you can
accomplish what you desire.

Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to love You above all
things and to do all our actions out of love for You. Help
us to love others and work for their salvation.
(Vincent Ferrer)

HOMILY:

GOD'S MERCIES

The Mercies of the Lord I will sing forever.
(Psa. 89:1)

The glorious mercy of God- that mingling of almighty power, immovable justice, - the Creators feelings for His creatures. What has the Mercy of God done for us?

Being created God called us out of nothing, what a marvelous incredible fact this is.

When we sinned, perhaps gravely, God waited and waited. Where should we be now but for His mercy. When we repented God came running to forgive us. But we are not to abuse this. If we confess our sins He is just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Just because we have a clean slate does not give us the right to go out and sin some more in the hope that God will forgive us. Forgiveness does not work that way.

All the external graces of our lives - new friends, books read, spiritual growth, - looking back over our lives you see God's providence. Israel of old rejected God time and time again and He punished them and took them back after repentance, until it got to a stage that He said enough is enough and sent in the world His only Son to redeem the world, but they rejected Him also and killed Him on Calvary's tree.

The interior graces - constant and uncountable - each one a thoughtful gift from God. The crowning Mercy is the participation in every Holy Communion and taking part in the Heavenly Banquet and receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord for your strengthening.

We will sing the Mercies of the Lord forever in Heaven, when we will at last appreciate all this. The Almighty and Merciful God will show unto us His Mercy, that is Himself; and we shall sing His mercies forever as the Psalmist says.

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

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Morning: Psalm 78:8-9; Gospel Matt.9:1-8.
Liturgy: Ephes.4:1-7; 1 Peter 1:13-21; Acts 27:9-26;
Psalm 31:1-2; Gospel Mark 10:46-52.