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Let our soul be the Bethlehem stable where God Himself comes
Post date: 2016-12-23Autor: BCP
During Christmas Mass, we wish to experience our encounter with Jesus. Let us realize again the Word of God especially at the moment of Holy Communion: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” Let our soul be the Bethlehem stable where God Himself comes. Let us be like the Blessed Virgin who bore Christ and gave Him to the world. Let us also bear Him in our hearts, abide in Him, remain rooted in Christ and bring Him to others.
Reflection on 1Cor 6:9-10
Post date: 2016-12-17Autor: BCP
The Word of God says that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. The opposite of unrighteousness is righteousness. He is righteous who gives God what is due to God and man what is due to man. It is written about Saint Joseph that he was a righteous man. The Holy Scripture, however, speaks above all about the righteousness of God which consists in the fact that sin was justly punished. Dying on the cross, Jesus suffered the punishment for all our sins and all our unrighteousness. Only if we have believed in Christ, i.e. put on His righteousness, we can be saved. We cannot make amends for sins or the root of sin in us by our own efforts.
The situation today is difficult. What can we do?
Post date: 2016-12-13Autor: BCP
The devil deceives us and we believe lies. The spirit of antichrist rules and changes the thinking to such extent that people no longer distinguish good from evil. We literally breathe this atmosphere from television, music or contact with people who have the spirit of the world. We must be aware that we are powerless and work out our own salvation with diligence, grieve about this situation and give it to Jesus in prayer again and again. We need a living fellowship, and we also need to carry out mission. However, we first need to be rooted in Jesus ourselves and only then can we give Him to others. We need to seek what God’s will is. It is important to have small groups, a fellowship, and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Everyone prophesies on the level one stands on
Post date: 2016-12-12Autor: BCP
We really need the Word of God. The mere letter of Scripture is not enough. We need the word of prophecy which God gives for a particular situation. Therefore, God’s Word says: “Desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” So each of us has to desire it. And everyone then prophesies on the level one stands on – that means, depending on one’s own experience of God. If you stand at the gate of the temple of God, you prophesy from that place. If you stand in the sanctuary, you prophesy from the sanctuary. If you stand in the Holy of Holies, then your word has the greatest power.
Salvation is in Christ alone (video)
Post date: 2016-11-20Autor: BCP
Salvation is in Christ alone. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection on Acts 4:11-12
Post date: 2016-11-19Autor: BCP
There is salvation in no one else! There is salvation in Jesus alone! There are no other ways or alternatives of salvation but Jesus Christ. There is no other name by which we must be saved. These words are true and will be true forever. Even if the whole world were convinced of the opposite, it would be wrong! These words are true for you also. There is no other name in which you have eternal life. There is no other way on which you can be saved. There are no other alternatives of salvation.
God’s way to salvation (video)
Post date: 2016-11-14Autor: BCP
God’s way to salvation. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1Cor 14:1)
Post date: 2016-11-11Autor: BCP
“Pursue love.” We should pursue love, true love. Not love which is, in essence, apostasy from Christ and a compromise with the spirit of the world. The word “love” is now very frequently used in the Church. However, this term now includes everything – fornication, betrayal, apostasy from Christ. Everything is “love”; only one thing is not allowed – defending Jesus Christ and loving Him with a pure heart. What is love – true love – “agape”? The manifestation of this love is that I want to be saved and I also want others to obtain salvation; and then whether I endure pain or suffering or carry a cross in union with Christ or I have to tell the truth which hurts, this all is love.
Reflection on Acts 2:41-42
Post date: 2016-11-06Autor: BCP
“Those who received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship (koinonia), in the breaking of bread (Eucharist), and in prayers.” That was the fruit of the descent of the Holy Spirit and of Peter’s sermon – the Church – living fellowship – was born and started to grow. On the seventh day, Sunday, when we commemorate the Resurrection of Christ and the Descent of the Holy Spirit, we try to find time for prayer, Divine Liturgy and fellowship. Here we can receive again the apostles’ doctrine through the Word of God and also receive encouragement through the examples of saints and martyrs as well as through personal testimonies of faith.
What to do so as not to go to Purgatory?
Post date: 2016-11-04Autor: BCP
We have to be converted, to receive Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. We have to be renewed by the Holy Spirit and to walk in the Holy Spirit. But this is still not enough for escaping Purgatory. So what shall we do? The Word of God says: “He – Jesus – will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Mt 3:11) So this is a very important thing – baptism with fire. Jesus says: “I came to cast fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Lk 12:49) Where shall this fire be kindled? In us. It shall purify us. It is a fire of zeal, of pure love for Jesus. A fire that shall burn all manifestations of our pride, self-love, envy, self-pity, criticism, rebellion, impurity, various dependences – on people, things or plans.
Let us do works worthy of eternity
Post date: 2016-11-01Autor: BCP
Before you stand before the judgment seat of God, do your best so as not to stand there with empty hands. We will be judged not only for doing evil. We are obliged to do good – to do works worthy of eternity. We will be judged for what we were obliged to do and did not do. Every good word, every encouragement, every step of faith, every suffering which we accept and bear, every mockery and every persecution for the sake of Christ is of great worth. So let us live by faith. Certainly, we will not be justified through our good works only but we are justified through the righteousness of Christ.
After the promise comes the test and only then the blessing (video)
Post date: 2016-10-29Autor: BCP
After the promise comes the test and only then the blessing. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection on Acts 2:38-39
Post date: 2016-10-22Autor: BCP
In his sermon, Peter spoke about Jesus, His death and resurrection. In the end, he said painful words: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!” On hearing those words of accusation – whom you crucified – the pilgrims could take offence. They came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost; many of them had not been there on the feast of Passover. They could not influence the Jewish council of elders headed by Annas and Caiaphas who exploited Pilate and forced him into committing a crime of justice – the killing of the innocent Christ. However, they neither took offence nor clenched their fists nor shouted fanatically like the hateful crowd on the feast of Passover a few weeks ago. They asked penitently: “What shall we do?” Do I ask myself the same question? What should I do for the sake of my salvation and the salvation of my household and my nation? Peter said to them that they should repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Let us be men of faith like Abraham (video)
Post date: 2016-10-20Autor: BCP
Let us be men of faith like Abraham. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
To remain faithful to God in essential things (video)
Post date: 2016-10-16Autor: BCP
To remain faithful to God in essential things. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Life becomes fruitful through the cross
Post date: 2016-10-13Autor: BCP
Through the cross our life becomes fruitful, otherwise we would die of apathy or vanity. Many times we do not give thanks for our cross but rather avoid it; however, if we begin to give thanks, the Lord will gradually fill us with joy and we will be happy that we could deny ourselves instead of groaning or being in fear.
One for all, all for one
Post date: 2016-10-12Autor: BCP
Although the four musketeers were fighters of the world, fighting in unity against evil and against church hierarchy, there was a lot of sense in their motto, if correctly understood: One for all, all for one. Jesus is the One because He has already died for us, and He wants to build this unity in us all.
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (video)
Post date: 2016-10-11Autor: BCP
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Abraham trusted in God with all his heart (video)
Post date: 2016-10-09Autor: BCP
Abraham trusted in God with all his heart. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate