God Is Our Help

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Friday 25 December (16 Kiahk;16 Koiahk)
St.Herman Evangeliser of Alaska.
St.Finian of Clonard,St.Colman of Glendalough.

O Come, let us sing unto the Lord, let us make
a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
(Psa.95:1)

Prayer is the adherence to God in all moments of
life and its circumstances. Life, thus becomes
one prayer, with no interruptions and no disturbances.
(Heguman Pishoy Kamel)

He cannot have God as a Father who does not
have the Church as a mother.
(Cyprian of Carthage)

The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth and delivereth
them out of their troubles.
(Psa.34:17)

For with God nothing will be impossible.
(Luke 1:37)

God wants to show that every person had contributed
to something lest he may fall into shame.
(S.John Chrysostom)

Let us have nothing to do with wicked and vain talk and
in all things let us with all our might cling to Him.
He certainly is ready to give us His Help.
(Macarious the Great)

And Mary said: "My Soul magnifies the Lord, and my
spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
(Luke 1:46-47)

You gave Birth to Him according to the prophecies
without seed or corruption for He is the Creator
and the Word of the Father.
(The Holy Psalmody)

REFLECTION:

We do not use only our voices and our lips when we sing
a song. We utter an inner song because there is in us
Someone who listens.

Heavenly Father, let us sing Your praises with all that
we think, say, or do. Grant that our whole lives will
reflect Your abiding presence within us to everyone we encounter.
(S.Augustine of Hippo)

HOMILY: GOD IS OUR HELP

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time, and even for evermore.
(Psa.121:8)

This song implies a situation of uncertainty, but any possibility of danger is offset by
unquestioning trust in the Lord. The Psalmist may lift up his eyes unto Zion, the goal of
pilgrimage and the mount of God, anticipating from Zion's hill and Zion's God
all necessary aid. He may look with apprehension on sudden attack.
Either way, the God of Creation, God the Almighty, is his help.

The God of Israel is no Baal (see 1 King 18:27), but one who, throughout a
long history, has ever preserved His people. The duplication of the words,
neither slumber of sleep is an ever expression of certainty.

The Keeper of Israel, is Your keeper, shading from sun and moon alike. ie.
From all adversaries at all times, day and night. Not only all adversaries,
but all evil, every sort of trouble , and in all activities of life., and
for all time. This verse 8 is quite often used as a Form of Blessing at the
end of a Worship Service.

When one looks at the State of Israel today, instead of looking for God's
help they are looking for man's help. They will not get far on that. Maybe
they need another spell in Captivity, which always seemed to work back in
the old days and bought them back to God.

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

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 45:1-8; Gospel Mark 1:16-22.

Morning: Psalm 145:1&5; Gospel Matt.4:18-22.

Liturgy: Gal.1:1-19; James 1:1-12; Acts 15:13-21;
Psalm 77:5;135:5; Gospel Mark 10:35-45.