by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

The Feast of Trumpets

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Saturday 26 September 2009 (16 Thout; 16 Tute)
Founding of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem (326AD)

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

Teach me Thy ways, O Lord, and I shall walk in Thy truth.
For Thou art the way, the truth and the life.
(Anon)

Did you commit sin? Enter into a Church and wash away your sins.
Do not be ashamed to enter a Church; be ashamed when you sin,
but not when you repent.
(S.John Chrysostom)

All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto Thee, which deliverest
the poor from him and the needy from him that spoileth him?
(Psa.35:10)

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)

Not all the ground is the same - every part buds and brings
forth different fruit. God, as well, pours His grace on our hearts
according to His wisdom.
(Mystery of Godliness)

You are the offspring and root of David, who has given birth for
us according to the flesh our Savior Jesus Christ.
(The Holy Psalmody)

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 God impels us".

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 TRUMPETS (ROSH HASHANAH-YOM TERUAH) Sept.19

Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month
on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest,
a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.'
(Lev.23:24)

The Shofar's Call to Repentance:

The blowing of the ram's-horn trumpets provided an important spiritual reminder:

it was an admonition to those who had just finished bringing in the harvest
by the sweat of their own labour, they were tempted to look at the results and
pat themselves on the back and forget that it was the sustaining power of
God who worked on their behalf and who gave the increase.

The Shofar's Look to the Future:

Many believe that Yom Teruah also has a prophetic significance. The first four
feasts have a striking correlation with final events in the life of Jesus (His first
advent). Many Bible Scholars believe that the Feast of Trumpets refers prophetically
to the last-days events (His second advent) that will call the nation of Israel,
and the whole world, to repentance in preparation for His coming Mesianic Kingdom.

Days of Awe:

In the fall holiday season, Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of a ten day period
known as the 'Days of Awe'. In Jewish communities, the blowing of the Shofar
is followed by a time of self examination when worshipers look into their own
hearts for misdeeds against others and for transgressions in thought or deed
against God. They are days of repentance, when individuals attempt to right
the wrongs they have committed. A time to prepare for the coming Day of Judgement.

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

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 83:4-5; Gospel Luke 7:1-10.
Morning: Psalm 25:7-8; Gospel Luke 19: 1-10.
Liturgy: Heb. 9:1-10; 2 Peter 2:1-10; Acts 9:31-43,
Psalm 64:1-3; Gospel Matt.16:13-19