Saturday 18 December 2010 (9 Koiahk;9 Kiahk)
St. Sabbas the Sanctified; St. Justinian of Wales.

For he that is mighty hath done to me
great things, and Holy is His name.
(Luke 1:49)

Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me
according to your Word.
(Luke 1:38) Magnificat starts at Verse 46.

Christ is the Light of the World. He revealed the
Heavenly Father to us and showed us what man is.
Without Him we should have little real knowledge
of God or man.
(An Elder)

If you would learn the secret of right relations look only
for the divine in people and things, and leave the rest to God.
(J. Allen Boone)

The repetition of the name of Jesus (The Jesus Prayer),
is training that settles the soul in Christ, until the
name of Jesus becomes like the air we breathe. The
soul lives on Christ, like the body lives on air.
(Heguman Pishoy Kamel)

If you know how to suffer in silence you will undoubtedly
experience God's help.
(Imitation of Christ)

If the ordinary Priest visit his flock, looks after their needs
without their asking, then how much more would God,
the Great Shepherd of shepherds.
(Pope Shenouda III)

Prayer is the manifestation of Baptism.
(St. Gregory of Sinai)

Jesus is the one who abolishes all the iniquities in us,
and it is Him who demolishes all the Kingdoms of Evil.
(Auriginos the Scientist)

Be merciful unto me, O God. Be merciful unto me,
for my soul trusteth in Thee. Yea, in the shadow
of Thy wings will I make my refuge.
(Psa. 57:1)

REFLECTION:

While remaining the Mother of our Judge, Mary is
personified as mother to all the human race.
She keeps us close to Christ. All earthly mothers
should emulate her faithfulness and fortitude.

Heavenly Father, You have filled Mary with Grace
and made her the mother of Jesus Christ Your Son.
Grant that we may attain the Salvation that Your
Son bought to this world.
(Peter Canisius)

HOMILY:

FREEDOM IN CHRIST:

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Gal. 5:1)

Freedom is one of the most sought after ideals in human history. But do we know what freedom really is? Many people talk about freedom, but are they getting their definition of freedom from the Bible? St. John also tells us in Chap. 8 :32. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

People think they have freedom to do their own thing, when in fact they become a slave to it. A person from prison thinks they have freedom, but are they truly free from their old habits?

Ninety per cent re-offend. Freedom in Christ is based on redemption through grace, not like the Jews of Paul's day who were chained to a treadmill of religious ritual.

The connection between truth and freedom is important. Truth never leads to bondage. Freedom obtained through the Son is real. Freedom can come only through One who is Himself free. The Son is free and can therefore make us free. That freedom that we so enjoy through the Son was bought at a Price. That Price was the Cross of Calvary and the atoning Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of the whole world, both present and in the future.

Even though Christ has made us free, it means that we have to work at it daily, to ensure that we do not backslide into the slavery of sin. Your adversary the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Are you among those who resist the wiles of the devil and are steadfast in the Faith of Christ?

Are you truly Free in Christ? St. John tells us in Chapt.8:36; "If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

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

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 32:6 & 11; Matt. 25:14-23.
Morning: Psalm 33: 1&12; Luke 19:11-19.
Liturgy: Phil.3:20-4:9; James 5:9-20; Acts 11:19-26;
Psalm 34:19; Psalm 68:3; Gospel: Luke 12:32-44.

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|| Pope Shenouda || Father Matta || Bishop Mattaous || Fr. Tadros Malaty || Bishop Moussa || Bishop Alexander || Habib Gerguis || Bishop Angealos || Metropolitan Bishoy ||

|| Prayer of the First Hour || Third Hour || Sixth Hour || Ninth Hour || Vespers (Eleventh Hour) || Compline (Twelfth Hour) || The First Watch of the midnight prayers || The Second Watch of the midnight prayers || The Third Watch of the midnight prayers || The Prayer of the Veil || Various Prayers from the Agbia || Synaxarium