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by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand
Saturday 18 April 2009 (10 Paremoude; 10
Baramouda)
By him therefore let us off the sacrifice of praise to God
CONSIDER THIS:
Christ is Risen, Truly, He is risen indeed !
'Jesus said to her, 'Mary', she turned to Him and said "Raboni"!
Lazarus the Bishop, the Beloved of Christ, who was raised
The eyes of God are on the righteous and his ears are open to
Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump,
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!
REFLECTION:
The hour has sounded for joyful chants: Alleluia.
Heavenly Father, help us to give You constant praise in our
HOMILY
FIRST FRUITS:
This occurred on the day after the Passover, that same day is the start of
the Feast of Unleavened Bread Nisan 15.
The Third appointed Feast (see Lev.23:9-11) was delayed until the People of
Israel took possession of the Promised Land.
They began the Harvest on the Day after Passover as the Passover was a day
in which no work of any kind was to be done, as it was a Sabbath of the Lord
and an High Day.
They gave to the Priests a portion of all their increase as the Tribe of
Levi who supplied the Priests were not given any land and were supported by
the offerings of the people. The intent behind the ritual: was not mere
tithes and offerings (see Deut.25:1-10). It was a remembrance in how God
redeemed them out of slavery. They were to confess before witnesses that the
fruits of their labor were a grace gift from God.
There is a reason to see a Messianic significance to the Third Appointed
Feast. The New Testament refers to the Resurrected Jesus as the firstfruits
of those who will be resurrected at the Last Trump (see 1 Cor.15:20&23). In
this light it is important to see how the Resurrection of Jesus links Him to
the historic Feast of Firstfruits. This He kept during His lifetime.
Jesus rose from the dead not just on any day. The reality as it played out
was not coincidentally on the First Day of the week (Matt.28:1); rather the
Messiah rose according to God's intentional
design in order to fulfill the Holy Torah. He rose on HaBikkurim - The Feast
of Firstfruits. His Resurrection was a promise of the life and everlasting
freedom that would come to all who believed in Him.
Like Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Firstfruits is
ripe with Messianic overtones. Each rich with insight and principles for our
faith. The next important Feast is Pentecost (Shavuot) which falls fifty
days after the Feast of Firstfruits. The Biblical History
of the Apostles tells us that the period between Pesach and Shavuot, were
spent in fellowship with and being taught by the Resurrected Messiah. But He
left them with a promise
that a unique Comforter and Counselor would come.
Ancient Israel spent the period between Pesach and Shavuot in a time of Self
Examination
and expectancy of one who would come bearing great news. Many Christians
today pay scant attention to this period of waiting between Pascha and
Pentecost. It it was spent like Ancient Israel in a time of quiet
Soul-searching and renewal, you might experience an unexpected Blessing.
Those who believe in Jesus can gratefully see Him as the Resurrected
Firstfruit of the eternal harvest that God has promised to those who trust Him.
Bright Saturday; Vigil of Pascha
Christ is Risen! Hristos Voskrese! Hristos Inviat! Hristos Aneste!
Surrexit Christo vere! Le Christ est Resurrecte! Cristo hay Resurreccion!
Cristo est Ressurreciao!
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.
(Heb.13:15)
(John 20:9)
from the dead after four days. He lived another forty years,
and became bishop in Cyprus, he shepherded the flock of Christ.
(Lazarus Saturday)
their prayers, but the face of God is away from all evil doers.
(Clementos of Alexandria)
since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover,
was sacrificed for us.
(1 Cor.5:7)
iniquities; the Chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by
His stripes we are healed.
(Isa.53:5)
(John 2:16)
Let us praise God with our life, with our voice, with our
heart, and with our deeds.
hearts. At the same time, let this attitude bear fruit in our
lives - producing truly Christian deeds.
(S.Augustine)
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that
slept.
(1 Cor.15:20)
To Thee be Glory and Praise; now and ever unto
Ages of Ages.
Today's Readings:
Evening: Isa.55:2-13; 1 Cor.5:7-13; Gospel Matt.27:62-66.
AMEN!
Morning: Jer.13:15-22; Gospel Matt.16:24-28.
Liturgy: 1 Cor.15:1-22; 1 Peter 1:1-9; Acts 3:12-21;
Gospel Matt.28:1-20.
Afternoon: Isa.45:15-20; Jer.31:31-34; Gospel John 5:21-30.
Copyright DR
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