The very first thing that our Lord, God seeks from His every creature, is obedience. In particular to humans, obedience is the way of showing love to our creator; abiding by His law and commandment, living by keeping the order of Church, we play the role of God’s children.
The Love of the Lord unconditional and bestowed dearly to them, it kept them yarning and fretful after His death, unable to believe His rise until their eyes witnessed His appearance, hands touched His pierced body and yet again ate with Him.
The Lord’s promise was what made their strength and brought grace upon them. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were gifted of the Holy Spirit that empowered them spiritual grace and endowing them seventy-one surplus languages. For this, they exited to fulfill the Lord’s order, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
This tremendous work of God was not to be done without payer and fast. The Lord has previously said, “When the bridegroom will be taken away from them, … then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:15) For this truth, the apostles embraced by the Holy Spirit and the Love of Christ, fasted on the Month of Sene.
“…suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:1-4)
Dear Children of God! How are you? How are you spending this season of Fifty Days of Feast? And How was the holiday of The Ascension of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Hope you have spent it with your family in accordance to the Church Liturgy.
Children! On the tenth day of our Lord’s ascension and the fifth day of His resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. Then, the apostles were sent out to preach the word of God (Gospel), baptize gentiles (unbelievers) and cast out demons from humans. Subsequent to their teaching and work of the Lord, we celebrate “The Ascension of the Lord on the fortieth day,” “Feast of Pentecost” on the fiftieth day and fast “The Apostles Fast” starting the following day of the feast on the “Month of Sene” until the Feast of Departure of the Two Pillars of Church, Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul on “Hamele 5.”
Dear Children of God! our Lord and Savior not only taught us about fasting and the Church Liturgy through the disciples, but also about the “Mystery of Eucharist.”
The merciful, humble, compassionate and obedient, who praise the Lord for eternity, Archangel Saint Michael is the intercessor and mediator for humans by the Lord’s mercy upon us. (Enoch 6:5, 12:5,10:12)
“By taking a body like ours and sitting it next to the God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ has truly reconciled humanity to God. Now this is crucial for us to understand. All that the Lord has done; He has done so that we may be able to also do! He has risen and conquered death so that we may do the same. But this was not all! He could not end there at resurrection alone! He has also ascended into the heavens so that you and I may also be able to do the same, that we may also have a place there with the Father. And this is what he said he would do when telling His disciples in John chapter 14 that He “goes and prepares a place for us”.
Underneath God and His Law, the first order to revere in the ministry of the Church is the High Order and the Priesthood. “The Sacrament of Priesthood is a holy sacrament through which the Bishop lays his hands on the head of the elected candidate, so that the Holy Spirit will descend on him and grant him one of the priestly ranks.”
Dear Children of God! how are you? How are you celebrating this season of feast of “Beale Hamesa?” We hope you have not become forgetful to keep the liturgy of praying and attending the Church, just because it is said that there is no fasting, prostration (bowing) and attending funeral (the burial ceremony of a dead person).
What about your school? How are you doing in your education? Are you studying well and passing your exams? You must also remember to focus on your spiritual life. Hope you have become brave students at school, and a good child for your parents and God!
Well! Let us proceed to our today’s lesson which is a continual of our last section about baptism. We have previously seen the definition of the word ‘baptism’, the liturgy of it and the reason for our baptism. And for today, we will see its second part that focuses on Children’s Baptism on their 40th and 80th days.
Christian Life is a way to orthodoxy. It is the straightforward in spirituality. As we have one Lord, one Baptism, one religion, no other way can enrich us to the kingdom of heaven than the good way of Orthodox Christianity.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has warned us about entering the broad way; “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
The good aromatic fruit! you are my gift from God for eternity. I grieved for my lack of awareness of your nature in the heaven to devour you. I brought death on myself eating the forbidden fruit though the Lord created you as sweet. Yet! I see you now! The sweet fruit, you cured my soul!