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Self Control
by Fr. Dr. Derrence Ross Dmitri Th D, New Zealand
Saturday 9 April 2011 (1 Paremoude; 1 Baramoda):
A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath
found such one hath found a treasure.
(Sirach 6:14)
The Rural Dean, consumed with shame,
For every high priest taken from among men. And no man
Do not boast of personal stature or of physical beauty,
Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord
Learn quickly, then, to submit yourself to your superior
And Jesus said, 'For judgement I have come into this world,
Anthony the Great was of mild temper and was humble
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly,
said, 'Pardon my unusual flame,
For in an absent kind of way,
I thought it was an Ember Day!'
(S.J. Forrest)
takes this honour to himself, but he who is called by God,
just as Aaron was.
(Heb. 5:1&4)
qualities which are marred and destroyed by a little sickness.
(Imitation of Christ)
will deliver him in time of trouble.
(Psa. 41:1)
if wish to conquer your own flesh.
(Imitation of Christ)
that those who do not see may see and those who see
may be made blind,
(John 9:39)
in spirit, for when he reached this elevated level , he
preserved the law of the Church with precision.
(Athanasius the Apostolic)
and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her
hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
(John 12:3)
REFLECTION:
Nothing on earth can stamp out true friendship.
Time itself cannot
God of goodness, send us a true friend - one who has You as a friend too.
destroy such friendship, but instead finds it always and everywhere
indomitable.
And let us be a true friend on our pert- so that our friendship will be
indomitable.
(St. Bernard)
HOMILY:
Self Control
Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue. (Sirach 6:1)
During this time of preparation leading up to the Lord's Passover at Pascha, we should practice self control. When we read of how controlled the Lord was when he was tempted in the Wilderness by the Devil, We should try and emulate Him. This forty day period is when we should concentrate on what was achieved by the Temptation of Our Lord. We can also be tempted in a similar fashion.
It is a great time to pray without ceasing saying the Jesus Prayer:
'Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Living God have mercy on me a sinner.'
Think of turning a Prayer Wheel while saying this or using a Chotki (Prayer Rope). It can be said at anytime, while you are at work or engaging in some pastime, walking, swimming and even in bed.
We are warned against lustful passions; the book of Hebrews tells us to 'Fall not into the power of their soul, lest thou consume thy strength, or lest it (lustful passion) consume thy strength like a bull.
Considering the verses following the verse 1 we see: It will devour thy leaf (figurative for Youth) and destroy thy fruit (figurative for offspring), and will leave thee as a dried up tree. 'For unbridled passion destroyeth the possessor thereof, and maketh him the sport of his enemy.'
Do not let your tongue run away with itself. An unbridled tongue can cause you more enemies than anything. Once said, it cannot be taken back. Later you may wish, "if only I had not said that." Put your brain into gear before you open your mouth. The same could be said of the written word.
Be circumspect in all that you do, practice Self-Control to the nth degree. Keep everything in check for your own good.
Practice in your own lives what you preach. Be not conformed to this world. Be of the world and not in it.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and not the trappings of this world.
To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages. AMEN!
Today's Readings:
Morning: Psalm 79:8-9; Matt. 9:1-8.
Liturgy: 1 Cor. 2:1-8; 1 Peter 1:25-2:6; Acts 27:9-26;
Psalm 32:1-2; Gospel: Mark 10:46-52.
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