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ANEEDE SUNDAY (REMEMBERING ALL THE DEPARTED BELIEVERS): FEB 19, 2017
Aneede Sunday is to remembering all the departed believers. The Church wants the faithful to remember those forefathers and mothers who nurtured and maintained the true faith. Last Sunday the church remembered all the departed clergies. This Sunday is to remember all the departed faithful; our forefathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. How blessed are we! How unique our faith is! This is the only Christian faith where you are a part of the continuum; a continuum that begins with the birth to the second coming of the savior Lord Jesus Christ. Physical death is not a separation from the continuum and the departed believers are continuing their journey of…
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KOHNE (SUNDAY REMEMBERING ALL THE DEPARTED CLERGY): FEB 12, 2017
Today is Kohene Sunday- A special day to remember all the departed priests. It’s good to remember at least once in a year our forefathers who helped us to sustain in true faith. Let’s take a couple of minutes to remember them. We have already attended countless holy Qurbanas. We have participated in Holy Communion numerous times. Just take a moment and try to remember the names of the priests, imagine their faces, and recollect the images of the holy altars where they offered the holy Eucharist for us. Especially, remember the priests who are deceased. You know they are with their master; participating in the worship and holy Qurbana…
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THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY (FEB 5, 2017)
“Follow me…” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. The disciples’ fishing nets represent their income, their sense of accomplishment and their identity as enterprising fish catching businessmen. They’ve probably handled these nets most of their lives. No wonder they find it difficult to let go of them. How about imagining ourselves clutching the tightly woven cords of fishing nets- how familiar they feel, how secure? But remember, Jesus is standing near to us, gazing at us with a look of invitation that’s somehow irresistible. He’s asking us to let go of the nets and find our security in him. Jesus walks daily through our life, calling us…
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MA’ ALTHO: THE PRESENTATION OF INFANT JESUS (FEB 2, 2017)
Ma’ Altho is an important feast-day celebrating the presentation of infant Jesus to the Jerusalem temple. The presentation of infant Jesus is an analogy of “giving away” of children to God. They no longer simply belong to their parents, but they belong to God. In Orthodox tradition the sacrament of Baptism is a kind of a “giving away” of children to God. This “giving away” of children in baptism implies that the parents/ god-persons are not just raising their own child, but a child of God. This is also an assurance that God will help in the complex process of child-rearing. So we have to trust that God’s hand is…
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SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST: Feeding the Four Thousand
Jesus’ ministry is remarkable in its practical and physical nature. Of course, he does teach deep truths, but he also attends to people’s need. He heals the sick and disabled, and takes time to feed a crowd of hungry people. What might be standing in our way to meaningfully share Jesus’ compassion?
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SUNDAY BEFORE PENTECOST
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First Sunday after New Sunday
Jesus turned water into wine; he provided lunch for thousands; and in this passage, even after his glorious resurrection we see him caring for his own by providing them with what they need. In the same warm, companionable way, Jesus is with us now, asking, “Do you love me?” How will you respond? Whether it is an honest “no,” a “give me a bit more time,” or an unequivocal “yes,” today He wants to share his gifts of nourishment and life with us. He wants us to care for others with nothing less than his own love. As we conclude meditating on this Evengalion reading,…
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New Sunday (1st Sunday after Resurrection)
Jesus Knows What Thomas Need: He Knows What We Need We are sometimes scornful of Thomas, giving him the nickname “doubting Thomas”. But he is not unlike many of us. He needs the data. He needs the visuals. He needs to touch Jesus’ wounds in order for his faith to take root and grow. Jesus accepts that. He knows what we need. What do we need from Jesus in order for our faith to bloom? Tell Jesus. And wait, watch and wonder!
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Hosanna Sunday
Jesus said the temple was a place of prayer for all nations; where all people could come to God. This year when we cry Hossanna, it should be a cry for the nations, a prayer for the people we don’t know, a plead to save not only us, but also those who are suffering and weeping across the nations…
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Sam’yo Sunday/ Blind Receives Sight