The Victory of the Lord

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 12 September 2009 (2 Thout;2 Tute)
1 Tute (11 Sept) was the Nayrouz Feast (Coptic New Year)
S.Alexander Nevsky

It is Christ who is head of the body, the Church.
(Col.1:18)

For John had said unto Herod, it is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
(Mark 6:18)

The Martyrs were asking through their pains & sufferings for the salvation of their persecutors.
(S.Augustine)

As Mary gave birth to your Lord, the Church gave birth to you, because the Church is also a mother and a virgin. It is the mother of many nations that represent one body.
The Holy Virgin is likewise the Mother of many, and at the same time, the Mother of the One.
(Augustine of Hippo)

Love sinners, but reject their works. Do not despise them for their faults, lest the same ones tempt you.
(Isaac of Syria)

Everything is vain, unless Jesus is its beginning and its end.
(Mystery of Godliness)

For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.
(Luke 7:28)

Hail to the Paradise, speaking for Christ, and who became the Second Adam for the sake of Adam the first Man.
(The Holy Psalmody)

First free yourself from what is outside, then offer it again to your Creator for He is the source of your happiness and righteousness.
(S.Augustine)

REFLECTION:

Never separate yourself from the Church. No institution has the power of the Church. The Church is your hope. The Church is your Salvation. the Church is your refuge.

Lord Jesus, grant us the grace to adhere to the Church all our life. Let us encounter You in her sacraments on earth and so possess eternal life with You in heaven.
(S.John Chrysostom)

HOMILY:

THE VICTORY OF THE LORD.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17)

The early part of Zephaniah can be divided as follows:-
Chapter 1 through 2:3 'The Day of the Lord Announced.'
Chapter 2 through 3:8 'The Day of the Lord Implemented.'

It is an area worthy of study as it deals with these End Times that we are in and the Seventh dispensation of the Church (Laodicean), although there are pockets of the Philadelphian Church (Remnant) still about, God has already removed His Candlestick from the Laodicean Church. They must repent and turn back to the ways of the Lord, instead of chasing after and wondering at the Rising Beast Power and the Great False Church described in the Book of Revelation.

The Lord has said 'come out of her my people and be not partakers of her abomination'. Broad is the way to destruction and Narrow is the Way to Salvation. Now is the time to dust off the covers of 'The Ladder of Divine Ascent' by S.John Climacus. I also direct you to the works of Cyprian of Carthage. Another book entitled 'Apocalypse' by Archbishop Averky of Jordanville, a modern day Father of the Church. But I digress.

In Chapter 3 verses 9-20 there is a note of victory in the Prophecies of Zephaniah. Indeed the change is so marked that it may have been written after the Exile. It is singing a new song above and beyond the din of disaster and the dust of Judgement. The conquest of opposition to God's rule is thus matched by the resultant perfection of His kingdom.

There is a world wide vision of redeemed peoples which concentrates its focus upon a new Jerusalem wherein a chastened and humble remnant will no longer be troubled by the proud and haughty. The Lord is the King of Israel and pronounces acquittal over His people, driving out their foes and guarantees their security.

When God's wrath is complete, Jesus Christ, the King of Israel, is going to return and intervene to save all mankind. There is a time coming when we shall never see evil like we see in the world today, When an awesome future lies just ahead of us. What a time it will be WHEN THE WHOLE EARTH BREAKS INTO SINGING AT THE PRESENCE OF JESUS CHRIST! Let us all be sure that we seek God now, so we can be there to assist Christ after His return! AMEN! Come Lord Jesus. To Thee be Glory and Praise, now and ever, unto the Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 51:10-11; Gospel Matt.14:1-12.
Morning: Psalm 91: 11,15 & 16; Gospel Luke 9:7-12.
Liturgy: Heb.11:32-12:12; James 5:9-20; Acts 12:1-12;
Psalm 91:13-14; Gospel Mark 6: 14-29.