Weekly Devotional

Burning Bushes

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 13 November 2010 ( 4 Hathor; 4 Hatour)
St. Aristobulus of the Seventy.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
(1 Cor. 15:55)

CONSIDER THIS:

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the
sea. And a great multitude were gathered together to Him.
(Matt. 13:1)

And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
(Luke 5:17)

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless his Holy name.
(Psa. 103:1)

Be downtrodden, not aggressive.
(Isaac the Syrian)

Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is
mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.
(Psa. 130:7)

When you pray say, "My Lord Jesus Christ you are my help."
(Abba Isaiah)

Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who
uphold my life.
(Psa. 54:4)

Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me,
O Lord God of Truth.
(Psa. 31:5)

The Kingdom of God is the knowledge of the Holy Trinity.
It can extend as much as the mind is able, and is filled
with a blessed everlasting life.
(St. John Climacus)

What is more beautiful than the hymn in which we say to the Lord,
"sin is my nature, You nature is forgiveness."
(Pope Shenouda III)

REFLECTION:

Human beings are by nature afraid of death; but there is
a startling fact about this. Those who have put their faith
in the Cross, despise even what is naturally fearful. For
the sake of Christ, they are not afraid of death.

Lord Jesus, help us to put all our trust in You and face
death without fear. Grant us the grace to remain faithful
to You till death and to attain eternal life with You.
(S. Athanasius)

HOMILY:

BURNING BUSHES:

And Moses said, 'I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.' (Exodus 3:3)

What do bushes and especially burning bushes have to do with worship.
Worship can take place anywhere, because God is everywhere. A burning bush
could provide an opportunity for worship.

While caring for Jethro's Flock, Moses saw a bush that burnt without being
consumed. What a sight that must have been.

On approaching it, God spoke to him, telling him to take off his shoes as he
was on Holy Ground. What an experience, which changed the destiny of a
nation. People today do not have that sort of experience. However like Moses
one could say that everyone who does meet the Lord that requires a personal
response, it could be likened to a 'burning bush.'

There are many who say than Angel of God spoke out of the burning bush to
Moses, others say that it was Jesus Christ Himself. It is New Testament
teaching the God reveals Himself to man through His Son. Moses was then
communing with God through Christ. Jesus said: "Iam the way, the truth, and
the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6). Apart
from Jesus there are no burning bushes.

Why do I need Christ? Why can't I come to God in my own way? Look at Romans
3:23; 5:6-21., this gives you the answer. It declares that we are all
sinners and spiritually dead. It was because of His great love that God sent
His Son into the world. Without the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we
would still be spiritually dead, but because of it, we become spiritually
alive and our relationship with God is restored (Rom.5:11&18). This does not
take place until we receive Christ as our personal savior. It is confession
of sin, obedience to God's Laws and Commandments, we maintain fellowship
with God and keep the "Bushes Burning."

To The be Glory & Praise, now and ever, unto Ages of Ages.

AMEN!

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 89:19-21; Matt.10:34-43.
Morning: Psalm 132:9-10 &17-18; Luke 6:17-23.
Liturgy: Heb.7:18-8:13; 3 John 1:1-14; Acts 15:36-16:5;
Psalm 99:6-7; Gospel John 16:20-33

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