The apostasy era attained many of Lord Jesus Christ’s sermons. Numerous followed Him in admiration of His words and listening to the teachings which endowed eternal life. He thought them about faith, the true religion and real life path. There was a Pharisee and also ruler of the Jews called “Nicodemus” who came to Jesus during the night when it was dark to talk to Him. The reason of his coming at night to the Lord was in avoiding others seeing him speaking to Him.
The gifts we receive are to be multiplied. They are not to be buried in the ground. About this, Saint Gregory the Great wrote that hiding our talent in the earth, is to use our gifts only for earthly things.
In the time of Lord Jesus, a talent referred to substantial amount of money. The message to us today is that God gives each of us something of considerable value and expects good stewardship and a return on what He has given. Although Jesus speaks to us about money in the Parable of the Talents, He is really talking about something far more important.
Dear Children of God! How are you? How is your life with your beloved ones? Are you being strong on this fasting occasion? We hope you are fasting as much as you can! May we remind you as well to learn and study well in school and Church education.
When we grow up in the house of God, we will be blessed. Our Lord will endow (give) us wisdom and discerning. We shall become then a good person who helps families, communities and countries. The second semester is coming to an end; Thus you must study hard and score good grades. Good! Now we will proceed to this lesson which is about lying.
The biblical passage, “The Olivet discourse” is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is a teaching of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on “Mount of Olive”, about His second coming and much more signs before its’ occurrence.
The Almighty, Who says not “honor, praise, sanctify Me” for He is Holy in His attributes, our God Who abode on His throne is glorified and praised by His creatures. Man, He created in His likeness and Image, is with honor, purity and holiness. We praise as well our Holy Mother saying. “Most honored, pure and holy amongst all creatures; Saint Virgin Mary.
Holy Scriptures informs us a life of holiness is a natural gift. It is stated as, “as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1-15-16)
Aliments, illness and pain are health disaster incidence in people’s lives. The entire human race onwards the insolent of Adam, façades this trial as the Holy Bible states. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, curse came upon them and suffering in various kinds of diseases is amongst. (Genesis 3:16-19)
The attainment of both the worldly or eternal life, salvation or healing is through the faith in God and being faithful. What the impotent man was then asked might seem only for the healing of his aliment, our Lord had asked about the salvation of his soul as well. The Question “Do you want to be made well?” was about the sick’s man faith. Even for the cure from his disease, faith was vital as the Lord thought him. Moreover, He made him think about his soul’s salvation.
The Ethiopian Liturgical Calendar, accord Holy Church teaching, terms the seventh month of the year as “Megabit.” The translation for the word is “the name of the month, the seventh month, the equivalence of consumption of day and night. (Book of Didascalia, page 30, Kidane Wolde Kiflae, page 577)
The third week of “The Great Lent” is known as “Synagogue” according to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church education. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ entered to this synagogue, which served as the temple of Jews. Whilst in His teaching age in Jerusalem, there were synagogues in which the apostles also thought the gospel.
Holy Church has made order of Fast and accordingly, the second Sabbath of the “Great Lent” is known as “Holy.” Saint Jared in his Book of Tsome (Fast) Deguua has divided the weeks of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s fast and named them each. The second week named as “Holy” is the time of our Lord’s fast commencement in Corinthian Monastery for forty days. What we mean when we say “Holy Week” is “chosen, unique, honored week.” (Book of Geeze Dictionary /Sewasew Wegese/, page 784)
The First Sabbath of “The Great Lent” according to our Holy Church’s teachings is known as “Zewerede” to mean “He Who Comes Down.” Saint Jared’s hymn for this holiday states about The Holy Son Coming from the heavens as He vowed to the first mankind Adam and for the salvation of all human race. (Book of Tsome Deguua)