Blessed are the Poor

by Fr. Dr. Derrence Ross Dmitri Th D, New Zealand

Saturday 28 May (20 Pachons; 20 Bashans)
St. Pachomius founder of Coenobitic Monasticism

Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned home.
(Luke 1:56)

A charitable and sensible mind takes careful note of
the virtues it observes in another, while the fool goes
looking for faults and defects.
(Anon)

The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes.
God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
(T.A.D. Summer Edition)

The Lord Jesus Christ said to His Disciples, 'Now you are
clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in Me, and I in you,'
(John 15:3-4)

In the act of repentance God's love to mankind is poured,
and there is no measure to count or estimate God's love to mankind.
(An Elder)

Neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters,
but God who gives the increase.
(1 Cor. 3:7)

Beloved, let it be known that the joy of all joys is completed
by rejoicing in the Holy Trinity who created us in His Image.
(St. Augustine)

Let me love You more than myself, and let me not
love myself except for Your sake.
(Imitation of Christ)

There are three things in your fast that you must devote
to God, if you want to consecrate it to Him: your heart,
your thoughts and your will.
(Pope Shenouda III)

In the time of obedience, close your mouth, from good and
bad, and breathe the life from the mouths of others.
(Elder John Saba)

REFLECTION:

The heart of Your good mother Mary is all love and mercy.
She desires nothing else but Your happiness. You only need
recourse to her and you will be heard.

Heavenly Father, let us constantly have trust in You and may
we have the happiness of heavenly glory which You share
with Your Son, in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
(John Vianney)

HOMILY:

THE POOR

Blessed are the poor is spirit, for their is the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:3)

This is the beginning of the Beatitudes which open the Sermon on the Mount.

On going to the mountain He had spent the whole night in prayer, then He chose the Twelve Apostles. By choosing the Apostles He has taken the first definite step in actually founding the Kingdom of God. In the Beatitudes He pictures the qualifications of true membership.

There are those who are poor in money and goods, they could be 'poor in spirit' enduring their poverty with a good heart.

The rich, too can be 'poor in spirit' if they renounce their wealth in their own mind, giving it to the poor. One thinks of the rich young man, who could not face that challenge and be 'poor in spirit.'

To really know what Our Lord means is to see His own example. During His Public Life He lived on alms and had nowhere to lay his head; because of His way of life, it left Him free for the work.

But for the thirty years, He lived, like most of us just making a living.

So the poverty of the Beatitude is not really destitution, but the ordinary life of the vast majority of mankind. Abe Lincoln said, 'God must love ordinary people, because He made so many of them.'

And also, He lived their life when He came on earth. St. Ambrose says: 'that this Beatitude is put first, it must be practised first to make the others possible.'

Mammon is the great rival of God: so "Blessed are the Poor."

To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, Unto Ages of Ages. AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening:Psalm 135:19-20;Luke 14:1-6.
Morning:Psalm 36:5-6; John 7:37-46.
Liturgy: Heb.10:1-13; 1 John 5:11-21; Acts 23:6-11;
Psalm 135:3-5;Gospel John 14:1-11.
Pachomius:2 Cor.4:6-15; Luke 14:23-35.

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