Weekly Devotional

Joy

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 12 February 2011 (5 Mechir, 5 Amshir):
SS Basil the Great; Gregory the Theologian; John Chrysostom

At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father,
and ye in me, and I in you.
(John 14:20)

CONSIDER THIS:

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. According
to your word. For my eyes have seen Your Salvation, which
You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring
revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.
'Song of Simeon' (Luke 2:29-32)

The Christian must not aspire to honors, or claim the first
places. Everyone should esteem others more than himself.
(St. Basil the Great)

I entreat Your favour with my whole heart; Be merciful to me
according to Your word.
(Psa. 119:58)

The Holy Virgin, alone, was addressed as the one 'Full of Grace'
for she alone has obtained the grace that no one else, but her,
will ever possess. She was filled with the gifts of Grace.
(S. Ambrose of Milan)

If we tried, however, to stand as brave men in battle, the
help of the Lord from heaven will surely sustain us.
(Imitation of Christ)

Do not allow any images to stand between your mind and
God while reciting the Jesus Prayer.
(S. Theophan)

Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food
which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will
give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.
(John 6:27)

For this is God, our God forever and ever,He will be our
guide even to death.
(Psa. 48:14)

The angels serving: your Salvation tell each other, since the
word has taken a perishable body, how can we stand still?
(Originos the Scientist)

REFLECTION:

Jesus Christ must live in us, and we must live only in Him. His
life must be our life, and our life must be a continuation and
expression of His life.

Lord Jesus, make us realize that You are living in us and we are
in You. Enable us to radiate You in our outward life by being
consciously united to You in our inner lives.
(John Eudes)

HOMILY:

Joy:

And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (John 17:13)

A favorite idea of St. Paul: Gaudete in Domino Semper (Joy in the Lord always). Hence he was in such high spirits even in prison.

Joy is what we are all after (not pleasure as such). Because we are made by God for joy. Life ought to be a joyous thing, but there is no real joy to be got out of life apart from God. History and experience show it. Make happiness depend on created things, and they fail us.

There is only one human soul which possessed 'Perfect Joy': and that was Jesus Christ's. The love of God and God's creatures is the joy of Christ's humanity. Only by union with Christ can we get perfect joy.

Christ is the natural home of joy. Joylessness and harshness in religion are not from Christ.

But He was a Man of Sorrows acquainted with grief, but that soon turned in Joy when He overcame death by rising to Life on that Resurrection Morning.

Be ye Partakers of His Joy.

To Thee be glory and praise; now and ever, unto Ages of Ages, AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 112:1-2; Matt. 25:14-23.
Morning: Psalm 132: 1-2. 9-10; Luke 6:17-23.
Liturgy: Heb. 11:17-31; James 1:12-21; Acts 19:11-20;
Psalm 1:1; Gospel Matt. 4:23-5:16.

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