Verba Christi

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 21 March 2009 (12 Paremhat; 12 Baramhat)

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate
in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;
bit we an incorruptible.
(1 Cor.9:25)

The son said, "I have sinned against God and against you.
I am no longer fit to be called your son.'
(Luke 15:21)

Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and
ministered to Him.
(Matt.4:11)

If I have any goodness in me, You are its source. For the
right in me is Yours O good One, and I got it from You.
(St. Augustine)

The cross is our weapon, the cross is our hope, the cross is
our confirmation in our troubles and sufferings.
(Doxology for Feast of the Cross)

With constant prayer, we shall be satisfied with God,
and we proclaim the power of the Holy Ghost in our weakness.
(Hegumen Pishoy Kamel)

Do not depend or rely on any person, regardless of his friendship
and love, for all men are weak, and all will taste death.
(Mystery of Godliness)

REFLECTION:

All Christians are called to mortify our natural inclinations.
If we do so, we draw down upon ourselves supernatural
inspirations.

Merciful Father, help us to keep a tight reign over our
evil inclinations. Grantthat we may thus receive Your
Graces and live in accord with Your will.
(Francis de Salles)

SAYINGS OF THE FATHERS:

On Fasting:

Abba John the Short said, 'If a king wants to take a city
whose citizens are hostile, he first captures the food and
water of the inhabitants of the city, and when they are
starving subdues them. So it is with gluttony. If a man is
earnest in fasting and hunger the enemies which trouble
his soul will grow weak.'

On Purity of Heart:

Abba Poemen said, 'Teach your heart to keep what your
tongue teaches others.'

VERBA CHRISTI:

He is tempted of the Devil in the Wilderness:

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God. It is written again, Thou shalt not
twmpt the Lord Thy God. Get thee hence,Satan; for it is written, Thou
shalt worship the Lord Thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.

He purgeth the temple:

Take these things hence; make not my Father's house and house of
merchandise. (Alas some Churches today forget the Cleansing of
the Temple by Our Lord and why it was done) They sell raffles and use
churches to raise funds instead of doing it away from the House of God.
Destroy this temple (meaning His Body), and in three days I will raise it up.

He testifieth of John:

There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness
which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness of
the truth.

But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might
be saved. He was a burning and shining light: and ye were willing for a
season to rejoice in his light. He was not that light but was sent to bear witness
of that light, full of grace and truth.

But I have a greater witness than that of John: for the works that the
Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that
the Father has sent Me. And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne
witness of Me.

He beginneth His public ministry:

The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent ye, and believe the Gospel.

In Scripture the Great Fast was the precursor to the Start of His Public
Ministry following His Baptism by John in the River Jordon. So why I ask does the
Calendar show it as the main event prior to the Crucifixion? And it is the
Celebration of His death is the only item that has a Scriptural Mandate to keep, whereas
the Resurrection does not neither using Sunday as a Day of Worship has
Scriptural Mandate. Our Lord Himself said that He would be in the Bowels of the earth
Three Days and Three Nights (72 hours) as Noah was in the Belly of the Fish.
Friday - Sunday is not 72 hours. I have done a Study which reveals that Our
Lord was crucified on a Wednesday and rose just before Sunset on the Shabbat.

So you have Wed, Thurs & Friday nights, Thurs, Fri & Saturday Days, thereby
fulfilling His Prophecy of Three Days and Three Nights. Think on it.

Today's Readings:

Morning: Psalm 141:6-8; Gospel Luke 16:19-31.
Liturgy: Phil.4:4-9; James 3:13-4:6; Acts 24:24-25:12;
Psalm 60:2-6; Gospel Matt.21:33-46.

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