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God is our Help
by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand
Saturday 27 December 2008 (18 Koiahk; 18 Kiahk)
O Come, let us sing unto the Lord, let us make
a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
(Psa. 95:1)
Hold Him to your bosom, like Mary, so that your soul
may call for the praise of the Angels.
(St. John Saba)
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou
envious against the workers of iniquity.
(Psa. 37:1)
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb!
(Luke 1:42)
They were caught up so that evil might not change
their understanding or guile, deceive their souls.
(Wisdom 4:11)
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)
God wants to show that every person had contributed
to something lest he may fall into shame.
(St. 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)
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.
(St. Augustine of Hippo)
HOMILY:
GOD IS OUR HELP:
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, 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 the Ages of Ages.
AMEN!
Today's Readings:
Evening: Psalm 105:1-3; Gospel: Luke 9:1-6.
Morning: Psalm 68:26-34; Gospel: Luke 17:5-10.
Liturgy: Col. 4:2-18; 1 Peter 3:15-22; Acts 1:1-14;
Psalm 96:2-3; Gospel: Luke 10:1-20.
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