Weekly Devotional

Powers That Be

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 19 February 2011 (12 Mechir; 12 Amshir)

There is a time and a judgement for everything.
(Eccles. 8:6)

CONSIDER THIS:

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;
and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
(John 6:37)

Here, Lord is my life, I place it on the altar today.
Use it as you will.
(Albert Schweitzer)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only
one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
(1Cor. 9:24)

Michael is the head of the heavenly, he is the first,
among the angelic hosts, serving before the Lord.
(St. Michael Doxology)

Prayer is the trans formation of dead time to an
eternal Divine work....as the hour is replaced with
the motion of the Spirit.
(Hegumen Pishoy Kamel)

I cried by reason of my affliction unto the Lord, and He
heard me; out of the belly of hell I cried, and You heard my voice.
(Jonah 2:2)

First of all we have to learn to pray unceasingly.
(Gregory of Nazianzis)

Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did,
said, 'this is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.'
(John 6:14)

One lantern I only see and its light guides me. And now
I am in spiritual joy, for the spring of life is inside me.
Which is the goal of the unseen world.
(The Spiritual Elder)

Make haste O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me,
O Lord! Let them be ashamed and confounded who seek my life.
(Psa. 70:1-2)

REFLECTION:

Help one another with the generosity of the Lord,
and despise no one. When you have an opportunity
to do good, do not let it go by.

God of goodness, let us never allow an opportunity
for good be wasted. Help us take advantage of
every moment at our disposal to do good.
(St. Polycarp)

HOMILY:

Powers That Be:

There is a time and a judgement for everything. (Eccl. 8:6)

The logical inference from the universality of human corruption would be anarchy. (Jack's as good as his master). But political wisdom is not a logical science, it is a psychological art. It is guided not by what is logically sound and consistent but by what is opportune.

The idea of reform was no doubt strange to the writer, who construes criticism of authority as simple insurrection. But his reflections are no less applicable to it. The inability to see the outcome of any proposed change places the onus on those who advocate or instigate it.

Reforms which are designed to remove one evil often put others in its place; and long term policies are called into question. The real problem of life is urgent and cannot be postponed; for the time is limited. 'Now's' the day, and "Now's' the excepted time for the Time of Judgement has come.

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

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 65: 4-5; Matt. 24:42-47;
Morning: Psalm 37:17-18 &29; Mark 13:33-37.
Liturgy: 1 Cor. 3:4-23; 1 Peter 5:5-14; Acts 18:24-19:6;
Psalm 37:30-31; Gospel Luke 16:1-12.

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