KNOW THYSELF BY ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS - A portion from the chapter on: "KNOWING GOD AND DOING HIS WILL"

KNOW THYSELF

BY ST NEKTARIOS OF PENTAPOLIS

A portion from the chapter on:

"KNOWING GOD AND DOING HIS WILL"

Knowing and performing one's responsibilities toward God is the first and foremost virtue. Those who have acquired this virtue confess God is Creator, Maker and Fashioner of the whole world. They perceive that they were created for this task, and that for this purpose they were made rational and free beings. An inner voice prompts them to praise and glorify God. They envision their own soul being drawn to God as well as a feeling of love toward Him developing in their heart. Instinctively their spirit moves toward God and delights in investigating His marvelous works. A mystical voice echoes in their soul's ears, gently whispering to them that this is why they were fashioned; this is why they came into existence from non-being and that their destiny is to come to know God, to be made like Him, and to give Him praise and thanksgiving. Those who know God and do His will are acutely aware of the fact that they are straying from His sublime purpose and veering from the path of truth and righteousness set before them whenever they neglect these supreme responsibilities toward God. They are fully cognizant that they must conform their will to the Divine will, for in doing so they perceive that they are morally free and superior to subservient nature. They indeed consider any negligence of their responsibilities toward God as ingratitude on their part toward the good God who enriches them with grace and gifts. Those who know God acknowledge his multifarious revelations, which are offered in manifold ways for their instruction, guidance and salvation. These revelations were planned from the foundation of the world by God's good pleasure for human enlightenment, and have been confirmed by historical testimonies, for which those who know God offer him praise and thanksgiving.

Tomb of our holy father Nektarios

on Aegina

GREATER THAN THE GIFT

When prayer is actually prayer and not the mere inattentive repetition of words, there is a connection. And when you pray to Christ you are praying for all mankind in heaven and on earth.  And when prayer is again actually prayer you will love it more than all things, more than any former love, because you are with Christ Who is love.   And greater even than the gift itself.....Christ confirms Himself as the Giver.

WHO WERE THEY?

from Sunday 9/29/2024 D. Liturgy Gospel

Saint Mark 9:1 KJV And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

You heard the Gospel, do you know who our Lord was referring to when He said there are those who will see the Kingdom before they die.

If so, enter your response in COMMENTS below.