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Reflection on Jn 14:1-2
Post date: 2014-07-04Autor: BCP
Chapter 14 captures deep truths concerning the mystery of the inner unity with Christ and the Heavenly Father. This mystery is also related to the Holy Spirit. Jesus uttered these truths on the evening before His death. In verse one, Jesus says: “Let not your heart be troubled…” These words also refer to you personally. Every day we face situations in which our heart is troubled; we feel tension and fear, see how evil and lies destroy the truth and good… What to do to let not our heart be troubled but find true peace? Jesus offers a simple solution: “You believe in God, believe also in Me.” And how to believe? To believe that God is almighty and next, that if He sends on us suffering, He always provides a way out. He either gives us the light and strength or solves the situation Himself.
Mary and the Spirit of prophecy
Post date: 2014-06-30Autor: BCP
The time had not yet come for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on the New-Testament Church – the Body of Christ – but all in the house of Zechariah already had the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit through Mary. Let us notice that here the Holy Spirit manifested Himself as the Spirit of prophecy (cf. 1Cor 12:10-11). Elizabeth prophesied, saying: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” No one had told Elizabeth that Mary was pregnant. However, Elizabeth did recognize it, not by her reason but the Holy Spirit revealed it to her. Elizabeth called Mary blessed because Mary believed that what the Lord had said to her would be fulfilled. Elizabeth prophesied, Zechariah prophesied, and what about the child, John the Baptist? Jesus said about him some time later: “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” (Mt 11:11)
Unite your pain with Mine (video)
Post date: 2014-06-26Autor: BCP
Unite your pain with Mine. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection on Jn 13:14-15
Post date: 2014-06-21Autor: BCP
What does it mean for us to wash one another’s feet if we want to be true followers of our Lord and Teacher? It means little self-humiliations in relation to my brother in Christ. His soul is marked by sin, various bad habits which annoy me, and gestures which I automatically condemn. But these evil habits, sins and all spiritual dirt of his have already been cleansed by the Blood of Christ. My task is just to wash his feet. It means that I humble myself before my brother, which penetrates his heart and causes his soul to be cleansed! At the same time, this service of mine cleanses my soul also, and my brother benefits from it too.
Humility – the will to know the truth (video)
Post date: 2014-06-19Autor: BCP
Humility – the will to know the truth. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Three words of advice about receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit
Post date: 2014-06-18Autor: BCP
Many people have been baptized and confirmed. The Holy Spirit is with them but not in them. Why? Because they were not led to turn to God with all their hearts and to receive Jesus as their personal Lord and God and the only Saviour. As far as conversion is concerned, no one can be converted instead of you, be it your father, mother, godparents, priest or bishop. Conversion allows no substitute!
I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW SPIRIT
Post date: 2014-06-12Autor: BCP
Lk 11:9-13: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” These are practical directions for us! And the result? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (v.13)This is perhaps the only clearly expressed petition which is said to be answered exactly the way we ask. The Scripture tells us to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection on Jn 12:27-28
Post date: 2014-06-07Autor: BCP
In verse 27, Jesus speaks about His soul: “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’?” And Jesus Himself answers: “But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” These words are an example for us too. In verse 26, Jesus says: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.” Jesus did not use the word servant but slave (doulos).A slave belongs wholly to his earthly master and has no right to leave him, being his property. The earthly master can do with him anything he likes.We humans are not mere servants but slaves of sin! Sin is our master and we are its slaves. But we refuse to admit it. Who will make us free? Jesus, the Son of God, alone! He makes us free indeed.
God has the last word (video)
Post date: 2014-05-31Autor: BCP
God has the last word. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
The fight against the spirit of lies for the saving faith (video)
Post date: 2014-05-31Autor: BCP
The fight against the spirit of lies for the saving faith. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection on Jn 12:24-25
Post date: 2014-05-24Autor: BCP
The mystery of a grain of wheat is not a matter of philosophy but of the practical following of Christ. It is about renouncing our will in every-day life. One form is to give thanks for everything. Not to blaspheme or grumble in suffering but to accept it as purgatory on earth and to give thanks to God, being aware of one’s own sins.
The secret of victory - the obedience of faith (video)
Post date: 2014-05-16Autor: BCP
The secret of victory - the obedience of faith. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
God has a thousand ways to save Ukraine (video)
Post date: 2014-05-12Autor: BCP
God has a thousand ways to save Ukraine. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection on Jn 11:23-25
Post date: 2014-05-10Autor: BCP
The Blessed Virgin said: “How can this be?” How can impossible things become possible? And the reply was: “The Holy Spirit shall do it!” We do not need to know how but who will do it. She said: “I am the slave of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” And Elizabeth testified: “You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.” You are blessed too if you believe God. The Holy Spirit will raise Ukraine to life. The Holy Spirit will raise up heroes of faith in Ukraine. The Holy Spirit will unmask the spirit of lies and death. The Holy Spirit will bring to life the dry bones of the Ukrainian people. How? By His divine power. Through whom? Through you. “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”
True wisdom and the future of Ukraine (video)
Post date: 2014-05-08Autor: BCP
True wisdom and the future of Ukraine. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
The strategy of spiritual battle (video)
Post date: 2014-04-30Autor: BCP
The strategy of spiritual battle. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
The fate of Ukraine is decided by those who pray (video)
Post date: 2014-04-28Autor: BCP
The fate of Ukraine is decided by those who pray. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Reflection on Jn 10:27-28
Post date: 2014-04-26Autor: BCP
Who is a shepherd, a bishop or priest, after the example of Christ? Which of the bishops or priests cares in the first place to feed the sheep entrusted to him with sound doctrine? Which of these shepherds is ready to give his life for the sheep? Many of them are no true shepherds but mere hirelings. Jesus emphasizes that His sheep hear His voice. They will never follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus repeats several times that He is the Good Shepherd, and knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He gives His sheep eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of His hand.
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Part three (video)
Post date: 2014-04-24Autor: Synod UO GCC
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Part three / + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Part two (video)
Post date: 2014-04-23Autor: Synod UO GCC
Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Part two. + Elijah Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate