Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding

Post date:   2014-09-22
Autor:   BCP
We have a variety of vices and self-pities which hold us in bondage. We can speak of spiritual resurrection if we let ourselves be healed by God. The precondition is to stand in the truth and to be willing to see and admit our faults. We should not take offence. Let us say: “Yes, it is true. This is my weakness.” We should not fall into depression but say to ourselves: “I have to fight against it. Yes, I will fail again and again but I will ask God for light and strength. I will give Him all problems I have: Lord, I am weak in this thing, I fall time and again, I am overcome by this bondage, I am a slave. I don’t want it but I can’t help it. I rely on You with all my heart.” 

The consequence of original sin: we easily accept lies (video)

Post date:   2014-09-20
Autor:   BCP
The consequence of original sin: we easily accept lies.   + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Seek first…! (video)

Post date:   2014-09-20
Autor:   BCP
Seek first…!   + Elijah  Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Practical spiritual advice /5/ - Pearls

Post date:   2014-09-16
Autor:   BCP
Salvation is the gift of God. It lies in the fact that Jesus shed His blood for us and sacrificed His life. We have not been saved by our good deeds but because He paid for us. And we receive this greatest gift through faith. Christ died for all people but not all will be saved, only those who will receive this gift. Those who will refuse it will not be saved. Therefore, it is necessary that we should preach the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins. If we accept other religions and their myths and mix them up with the pure Gospel, none of us can be saved. We have the treasure, the assurance of salvation, and we cannot replace this saving faith by fables or pagan myths. Salvation is the gift of God, through the blood of Jesus, through faith.  

Reflection on Jn 14:15-16

Post date:   2014-09-13
Autor:   BCP
For the period of the next two weeks, enter into God’s presence, into the column of light, and stand by Christ’s cross beside the Blessed Virgin. There accept the last will of Christ. To receive the Mother of God means to fulfil Christ’s commandment: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (Jn 14:15) The reception of the Mother of God by the Apostle John in the hour of Christ’s death is a model for us too. Jesus came to this world through Mary and the Holy Spirit. Through Mary and the Holy Spirit He will also come into our souls and make His dwelling with us (see Jn 14:23).

He who prays is almighty (video)

Post date:   2014-09-13
Autor:   BCP
He who prays is almighty. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

We must watch over small matters of vital importance (video)

Post date:   2014-09-12
Autor:   BCP
We must watch over small matters of vital importance.   + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Sin makes people and whole nations unhappy (video)

Post date:   2014-09-11
Autor:   BCP
Sin makes people and whole nations unhappy. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Sin must be an exclamation mark for us: RETURN TO GOD! (video)

Post date:   2014-09-10
Autor:   BCP
Sin must be an exclamation mark for us: RETURN TO GOD!   + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Practical spiritual advice /4/ - True and false repentance

Post date:   2014-09-10
Autor:   BCP
If I confess my sins in the light, it means that I confess them in God’s, Jesus’ presence. I cannot confess sins like Judas, for that was not in the light! That was in despair. He returned money into the temple, took a rope and went to hell. If he had fallen on his knees and said: “Lord, forgive me, I have sinned…”, we would now have St Judas. Although he was a traitor, God would have forgiven him. But he believed the devil instead of God. Jesus died for my sins however small or great they are. We must wholly trust in God’s mercy. Not to degrade God’s mercy by saying: “God is merciful, so I can sin.” That’s a deceit. Remember that God is just at the same time. I must not rely on God’s goodness, sinning. I must resist sin.