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.

Start a fight against your “self” (video)

Post date:   2014-09-09
Autor:   BCP
Start a fight against your “self”   + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Let us be wise! (video)

Post date:   2014-09-07
Autor:   BCP
Let us be wise! + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

I fear one thing (video)

Post date:   2014-09-06
Autor:   BCP
I fear one thing. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Practical spiritual advice /3/ - The role of man in the family

Post date:   2014-09-06
Autor:   BCP
You have families. Man should be as a priest in the family. He has responsibility for his wife and children. Then he will have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Think of Abraham – he believed and God gave a blessing to all his descendants. Each of you bears responsibility. Family is your diocese, your parish. You are responsible above all for the souls, and not only for yourselves. Husband should be the head of his wife, the head of the family. He has a certain responsibility before God. God also gives man a kind of authority. Man should learn true wisdom. He needs to learn to fight against lies, to manage his family wisely and to protect it. This is not simple.

Practical spiritual advice /2/ - The assurance of forgiveness

Post date:   2014-09-05
Autor:   BCP
The First Epistle of John reads: “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” So there is a condition: to walk in the light as He is in the light. It concerns God’s presence. There is no need of a vision or apparition; I just realize that God sees me and focus my attention on this truth.

If we walk in the light, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin! (video)

Post date:   2014-09-03
Autor:   BCP
If we walk in the light, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin! + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Practical spiritual advice /1/ - So what is the truth then?

Post date:   2014-09-02
Autor:   BCP
What is the greatest commandment of the Old and New Testaments? To love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our strength. When did you love God in this way? You need the experience. How to get it? First of all, I need to focus my attention on God’s presence, give Him my sins, wholly trust in Him, trust in His omnipotence, and at that moment I am so closely united to God by faith and love that I am ready even to give my life for Him rather than commit a sin.

Do you want to live a righteous life? Be ready for persecution! (video)

Post date:   2014-08-30
Autor:   BCP
Do you want to live a righteous life? Be ready for persecution! + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Reflection on Jn 14:13-14

Post date:   2014-08-30
Autor:   BCP
These words, uttered by Christ on the evening before His death, are a continuation of the preceding words by which Jesus revealed to the Apostles the mystery of interior unity between Him and the Father. The uniting love between you and Christ is conditioned by true repentance, i.e. by keeping Christ’s commandments (see Jn 14:15.21.23). To ask in Jesus’ name does not mean just to utter the phrase “in the name of Jesus Christ” spiritlessly. It means to be in interior unity with Christ through true repentance (see Mk 1:15). If you are in unity with Him, then you surely ask according to the will of Christ, which is also the will of the Heavenly Father.

Automatisms of our corrupt nature (video)

Post date:   2014-08-29
Autor:   BCP
Automatisms of our corrupt nature   + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

Why do we need a new heart? (video)

Post date:   2014-08-27
Autor:   BCP
Why do we need a new heart?   + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate