by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Testimony

Saturday 23 May 2009 (15 Pachons;15 Bashans):
S.Simon the Zealot; S.Comgall founder of Bangor.

Mary set out ........into the hill country.......
where she entered Zechariah's House and greeted Elizabeth.
(Luke 1:39)

O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
(Psa.34:9)

The Man who lives without Jesus is the poorest of the
poor, whereas no one is so rich as the man who lives in His Grace.
(Imitation of Christ)

Better is the end of a thing, than the beginning thereof.
(Eccles.7:8)

We should enjoy much peace if we did not concern
ourselves with what others say & do, for these are no concern of ours.
(Imitation of Christ)

Wherever you look, or whatever you think about, if you
contemplate about everything in the universe, you will
discover that nothing will ever last for long.
(Mystery of Godliness)

Many are your praises O who is adorned with honor for
you became a dwelling for the wisdom of God.
(The Holy Psalmody)

Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you;
but tarry in the City of Jerusalem until you are
embued with power from on high.
(Luke 24:49)

REFLECTION:

In the interior life and in the apostalate, let us always
work with Your Son. For then everything becomes easier
and more certain, quick and more delightful.

Lord Jesus, help us to labor hard in the Christian Apostolate.
Teach us to work always with Your Holy Father God, so that
we may obtain the best fruits from this work.
(Louis Grignion de Montfort)

HOMILY:

TESTIMONY:

I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
(Psa.34:1)

This is an acrostic poem. The spirit of exuberant confidence in the Lord is more important than the structure of the Psalm. Many of of its phrases have found their way into devotional worship. David has reached the point of spiritual certainty. The very centre of his being was his praise of God.

He gives a personal testimony. He magnified the Lord and saw that the Lord is good. I enquired of the Lord and He answered me. What an unforgettable experience. He cried unto the Lord and was heard and saved with full salvation. He knew of experience when an angel of the Lord intervened to save not only him but also his people.

He enlarges his theory of deliverance by the illustration of young lions going hungry. Even powerful beasts in their prime have less security of life than those who turn to God for sustenance and enjoy His abundant provision.

David teaches his followers what it means to fear the Lord. The Lord's continual benevolence has three characteristics.:-

(a) Strict avoidance of all falsity of speech (see Matt.5:37).
(b) Activity in doing good.
(c) Perseverance in the quest for peace among men.

If we look at 1 Peter 3:10-12; we see a synopsis of Christian Ethics.

There are two trends in Human Life. On the one hand there is the pursuit of righteousness and godliness, which is bound up with the goodness and power of the Lord. On the other hand is the choice of wickedness and its inevitable doom and leads to ruin. Ask yourself what path are you going to follow?

Finally as an echo of the initial Testimony, it is impossible for those who trust in the Lord to share in the condemnation of the guilty. To Thee be Glory and Praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.
AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 134:19-20; Gospel Luke 14:1-6.
Morning: Psalm 35:6-7; Gospel John 7:37-46.
Liturgy: Heb.10:1-13; 1 John 5:11-21; Acts 23:6-11;
Psalm 134:3-5; Gospel John 14:1-11.