Saturday 25 September 2010 (15 Thout; 15 Tute)
Thurs. 23 Sept was the Start of the Weeklong God Ordained Feast of Tabernacles.
Eanswythe Abbess of Folkestone (640)

The love of Christ impels me.
(2 Cor.5:14)

Hail O persevering one, of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Stephen the Saint, which means a crown.
(Doxology of St. Stephen)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord
delivereth him out of them all.
(Psa.34:19)

Wait for the Lord with confidence, that He is not only
going to work but also working indeed, and most
probably before we ask Him.
(Pope Shenouda III)

And He turned him unto His disciples, and said privately,
Blessed are the eyes which see the things ye see.
(Luke 10:23)

Oh repentance, you are my daily baptism by which
I clean my robe.
(Fr. Bishoy Kamel)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I
may learn Your statutes.
(Psa. 119:71)

The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to
cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
(Psa. 34:16)

REFLECTION:

The Holy Eucharist does not merely place within us
the habits of grace and virtue.

It also impels us to act, in accordance with the words
of St. Paul the Apostle. 'The love of Christ impels me.'

Lord Jesus, with every communion that we receive let us be geared
toward Christian action. Help us to co-operate with Your grace
and practice all virtues.
(Thomas Aquinas)

HOMILY:

The Feast of the Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Speak to the children of Israel, saying: "The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord.' (Lev.23:34)

This feast occurs five days after the Day of Atonement and is the last of the Fall Feasts. This feast presents a beautiful picture of how God provided for His people in the past, the present and will do so in the future.

It is one week out of 52 where we should remember God's faithfulness to provide for His people and to give Him the honor He deserves. He has been the unseen provider. Paul tells us: 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'(Heb.13:5)

Sukkot of the Future:

In the future, the Feast of Tabernacles will be an international holiday. According to the prophet Zechariah, in the last days this feast will be a global holiday.

'It shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.'(Zech.14:16)

During the millennial reign, when the Messiah King of Israel is enthroned in Jerusalem, the institution of Sukkot will be more than a metaphor. It will be an annual reality. In fact, it will be so important that a grave warning is given to the nations who do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles. See Zech.14:17-18.

At the Feast of Tabernacles in the last days, the whole world will celebrate what was hidden in the Messiah in the days prior to his death and resurrection. God will live among us in the person of Jesus Christ. He will be honored not just by the people of Israel but by all the world as the Provider who has given us life so that we could know Him. As God lives among His people, all the world will make its way to Jerusalem to worship the Lamb of God, who will be revealed as the Lion of the House of Judah.

To Thee be glory and praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages!

AMEN.

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 5:11-12; Matt.10:24-33.
Morning: Psalm 34:19-20; John 12:20-26.
Liturgy: 2 Cor.11:16-12:12; 1 Peter 1:25-2:10; Acts 6:1-7:2.
Psalm 21:3&5; Gospel 10:1-20.

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