But Now Christ is Risen from the Dead!

My friends,

Much to my distress I understand that there are those who do not celebrate the risen Christ, they enjoy no feast on the day chosen to celebrate the Resurrection and this is due to the name given to this day as Easter. This blog is not long enough to go into the discussion of this word, the most popular understanding is that it is from the name of a goddess. Although this is the most popular definition given it is not the only definition given. 

Along with this the name Easter is strictly a western name used only by western Christianity. This day is the Day of Resurrection, Pascha, and Easter. Without the Resurrection my friends there is no Christian faith. There is nothing, nought, Without the Resurrection we have no hope in or of anything. This is a day to celebrate and bring joy. 

I ask you who reads this to pray for all to come to this understanding and learn the joy that is found in this Day of Resurrection.

12 Now if Christ be preached, that he arose again from the dead, how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen again. 14 And if Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God: because we have given testimony against God, that he has raised up Christ; whom he has not raised up, if the dead rise not again. 16 For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ risen again. 17 And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep: 21 For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. 22 And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But every one in his own order: the firstfruits Christ, then they that are of Christ, who have believed in his coming. 24 Afterwards the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father, when he shall have brought to nought all principality, and power, and virtue. 25 For he must reign, until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 And the enemy death shall be destroyed last: For he has put all things under his feet. And whereas he says, 27 All things are put under him; undoubtedly, he is excepted, who put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then the Son also himself shall be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

Flesh and Blood Cannot Possess the Kingdom of God!

My Friends, how often do we find ourselves frustrated and anxious? I have read of many who labor for our Lord who become so frustrated and so worn that they leave their ministry. We must understand and persevere, remember that this is the job of the evil one, to wear down the saints; 

25 And he shall speak words against the High One, and shall crush the saints of the most High: and he shall think himself able to change times and laws, and they shall be delivered into his hand until a time, and times, and half a time. 26 And judgment shall sit, that his power may be taken away, and be broken in pieces, and perish even to the end. 27 And that the kingdom, and power, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven, may be given to the people of the saints of the most High: whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all kings shall serve him, and shall obey him. 28 Hitherto is the end of the word.

We must at all times remember where we are from and where we are attempting to go and the manner in which we must achieve this. Pray always, seek the wisdom that is from God in order to handle the stress and strain that comes with serving our Lord in the many different ways that we may serve or attempt to serve. We are human, our Lord knows this, We must persevere in faith, pray for strength and guidance. May Almighty God have mercy on us all.

47 The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second man, from heaven, heavenly. 48 Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. 49 Therefore as we have borne the image of the earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly.

 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 And when this mortal has put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56 Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

Praise the Lord in His Holy Places!

My Friends,

Heed the word; glory to God in the highest. Praise Him above all. But let us seek true wisdom and understanding. Have we indeed purged ourselves? We must remember during our celebration to also keep watch so that the evil one does not re-enter, then praise God and feast.

6 Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven corrupts the whole lump? 7 Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our Pasch is sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Alleluia. PRAISE the Lord in his holy places: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to the multitude of his greatness. 3 Praise him with sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs. 5 Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy: 6 let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.

Web Page;

http://www.monkmichael.com

For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet

Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

A Vow is Paid in Jerusalem!

A vow is paid in Jerusalem, blessed is the one who has been chosen and taken to the Father for He shall dwell in HIS courts.

1 To the end, a psalm of David. The canticle of Jeremias and Ezechiel to the people of the captivity, when they began to go out. 2 A HYMN, O God, becomes you in Sion: and a vow shall be paid to you in Jerusalem. 3 O hear my prayer: all flesh shall come to you. 4 The words of the wicked have prevailed over us: and you will pardon our transgressions. 5 Blessed is he whom you have chosen and taken to you: he shall dwell in your courts. We shall be filled with the good things of your house; holy is your temple, 6 wonderful in justice. Hear us, O God our saviour, who is the hope of all the ends of the earth, and in the sea afar off. 7 You who prepares the mountains by your strength, being girded with power: 8 who troubles the depth of the sea, the noise of its waves. The Gentiles shall be troubled, 9 and they that dwell in the uttermost borders shall be afraid at your signs: you shall make the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to be joyful. 10 You have visited the earth, and have plentifully watered it; you have many ways enriched it. The river of God is filled with water, you have prepared their food: for so is its preparation. 11 Fill up plentifully the streams thereof, multiply its fruits; it shall spring up and rejoice in its showers. 12 You shall bless the crown of the year of your goodness: and your fields shall be filled with plenty. 13 The beautiful places of the wilderness shall grow fat: and the hills shall be girded about with joy, 14 The rams of the flock are clothed, and the vales shall abound with corn: they shall shout, yea they shall sing a hymn.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost

My friends, I am simply posting a very small portion of the readings for today from the Breviary. They require no explanation, pray for mercy and salvation.

ALEPH

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart.
3 For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.
4 You have commanded your commandments to be kept most diligently.
5 O! that my ways may be directed to keep your justifications.
6 Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of your justice.
8 I will keep your justifications: O! do not you utterly forsake me.

TAU

169 Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in your sight: give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my request come in before you; deliver you me according to your word.
171 My lips shall utter a hymn, when you shall teach me your justifications.
172 My tongue shall pronounce your word: because all your commandments are justice.
173 Let your hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I have longed for your salvation, O Lord; and your law is my meditation.
175 My soul shall live and shall praise you: and your judgments shall help me.
176 I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek your servant, because I have not forgotten your commandments.

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

Praise the Lord at all times!

My friends, at all times and in all places we should be praising the Lord. To praise God is our purpose. What were we told at the time of creation? And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth. This is what we are tasked with, this is our job and yet what about our Creator? We learn again in the psalms; 

1 Alleluia. PRAISE the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the high places. 2 Praise him, all his angels: praise him, all his hosts. 3 Praise him, O sun and moon: praise him, all you stars and light. 4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens 5 praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created. 6 He has established them for ever, and for ages of ages: he has made a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons, and all you deeps: 8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds which fulfill his word: 9 Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars: 10 Beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls: 11 Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth: 12 Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: 13 for his name alone is exalted. 14 The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he has exalted the horn of his people. A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.

We know that by Him all things were created and for that, creation itself praises God. There is no other name to glory in or to praise other than our Creator. Praise Him in the morning, praise Him in the afternoon, praise Him in the evening. Sing praises to our Lord.

1 A psalm of David when he was in the desert of Edom. 2 O GOD, my God, to you do I watch at break of day. For you my soul has thirsted; for you my flesh, O how many ways! 3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before you, to see your power and your glory. 4 For your mercy is better than lives: you my lips shall praise. 5 Thus will I bless you all my life long: and in your name I will lift up my hands. 6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips. 7 If I have remembered you upon my bed, I will meditate on you in the morning: 8 because you have been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of your wings: 9 my soul has stuck close to you: your right hand has received me. 10 But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: 11 They shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes. 12 But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

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Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William

Shall not my soul be subject to God?

My friends,

The words speak for themselves. God, He is Savior, He is Protector, He is Salvation. There is no other name in which we may be saved. Jesus the Christ is Lord. Learn patience, trust in God for all things are in His hands. We in turn will be paid according to our works; whether good or bad. We must stay the course with faith and perseverance. God is a just God.

1 Unto the end, for Idithun, a psalm of David. 2 Shall not my soul be subject to God? for from him is my salvation. 3 For he is my God and my savior: he is my protector, I shall be moved no more. 4 How long do you rush in upon a man? you all kill, as if you were thrusting down a leaning wall, and a tottering fence. 5 But they have thought to cast away my price; I ran in thirst: they blessed with their mouth, but cursed with their heart. 6 But be you, O my soul, subject to God: for from him is my patience. 7 For he is my God and my savior: he is my helper, I shall not be moved. 8 In God is my salvation and my glory: he is the God of my help, and my hope is in God. 9 Trust in him, all you congregation of people: pour out your hearts before him. God is our helper for ever. 10 But vain are the sons of men, the sons of men are liars in the balances: that by vanity they may together deceive. 11 Trust not in iniquity, and cover not robberies: if riches abound, set not your heart upon them. 12 God has spoken once, these two things have I heard, that power belongs to God, 13 and mercy to you, O Lord; for you will render to every man according to his works.

Web Page; http://www.monkmichael.com

For Monk Michael's videos; http://www.youtube.com/user/HieroMonkMichael

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! on Kindle; http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIF4M

Monk Michael's 'Spiritual Christianity for Today! paperback; http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&field-author=Rev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ARev.%20Fr.%20Michael%20Valentine%20Sweet

Many Blessings!

In Christ,

+William