by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Baruch

29 August 2009 (23 Mesra; 23 Mesori)
Diomedes the Physician

Without warning a violent storm came up on the lake,
and the boat began to be swamped by the waves.
Jesus was sleeping.
(Matt.8:24)

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall
delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
(Psa.37:11)

The highest form of prayer is to stand silently in awe before God.
(Isaac the Syrian)

O God do not leave me. I have done nothing good
in your sight, but according to your goodness, let me
now make a beginning of good.
(Abba Arsenius)

By His nature, Christ is God's Only Begotten Son,
God of God, One of One, and Light of Light. But for
us, He is the First Born; and every one who is like
Him, is saved by Him, He is therefore, the First
Born, and we are His siblings.
(Cyril the Great)

Let God be your pathfinder, and approach Him with all
your trust, desire and hopes, He will never fail you, if
you depend only on Him.
(Mystery of Godliness)

If you do not live as a Christian, then what is
the use of calling yourself a Christian?
(S.Augustine)

REFLECTION:

It is impossible to go through life without trials,
because Trials are the natural proofs of faith. Like
watchful mariners, we should be sure to awaken the
Pilot of our ship.

Those who allow themselves to be overcome by fear
while in the company of Jesus deserve to be reproached
by Him. For all who are united with Him cannot perish.
Jesus, in every trial let us come to You with confidence.
Make us realize that You are always present and ready
to respond to our call.
(S.Ambrose)

HOMILY:

BARUCH:

O, Jerusalem look about thee toward the East, and behold
the joy that cometh unto thee from God.
(Baruch 4:36)

Baruch was a disciple and secretary of the Prophet Jeremiah and went with
him wherever he went. He even went into exile to Babylon. While in Babylon he composed a
confession of Israel's guilt before God, which was sent to all the survivours at
Jerusalem, with Money for sacrifices.

In the later part of Chapter 4 there are four prophecies announcing the
return of the exiles.

V.5: Be of Good cheer, my people, the memorial of Israel.
You were sold into captivity because of your disobedience to God.

V.21: Be of Good cheer, O my children, cry unto the Lord, and he shall deliver
you from the power and hand of the enemies.

When they are clean of heart and truly repentant, God will see to their
Salvation.
V.27: Be of Good Comfort, O my children, and cry unto God; for ye shall be
remembered of Him that bought these things upon you.

It was because of their stiff necked attitude, they went astray from God:
now seeing the error of their ways seek God ten times ten.

V.30: Be of Good Heart, O Jerusalem: for he that gaveth thee that name will comfort thee.

Now the tables are being turned upon Israel's oppressors, they are the ones
to be miserable, desolate and in mourning.

Now we get to the climax, the sons who had been led away, came together from
the East to the West and returned rejoicing in the Glory of God.

But alas their joy did not remain as they became a Nation of Backsliders and
were taken away once more.

But as Christians we have a joy to look forward to and that is the Return of
Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who is at God's Right Hand and is our
Judge and Reward.

Veni, Veni Emmanuel. Sis Jesu nostrum Gaudium.

Even so come Lord Jesus. Are we ready and are we on the Lord's Side?

To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.
AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 33:18-19; Gospel Matt.10:16-22.
Morning: Psalm 33:2-21; Gospel Mark 8:34-9:1.
Liturgy: Rom.8:28-39; 1 Peter 4:1-11; Acts 16:16-34;
Psalm 97:11-12; Gospel Luke 21:12-19.