Malankara World

Weekly Devotional

The Pre-Existence of Christ

by Fr. Dmitri, New Zealand

Saturday 24 January 2009 (16 Tobi; 16 Tuba):
Pachomius of Keno Lake.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to
all men, especially unto them who are of the household
of faith.
(Gal.6:10)

CONSIDER THIS:

Put Christ first because He puts us first, and let nothing
deter us from loving Him.
(Cyprian of Carthage)

I have fallen: raise me up and strengthen me, O Lord;
for Thou raiseth up all who have fallen. Stretch forth
thine hand to me and enliven me once again by Thy
compassion.
(Ephraim the Syrian)

O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is
the man that trusts in Him.
(Ps.34:8)

Gain what you want, and be pleased with your riches,
but let it be know that one day you will leave this
world with an empty hand.
(Mystery of Godliness)

A man can received nothing unless it has been given
to him from Heaven.
(John 3:27)

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that
seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
(Psa.34:10)

When we were hurled down, God 'raised up a horn of salvation for us.'
(Luke 1:69)

I do not ask you to look for the way. The way came to you.
Then stand up and walk ye in it.
(St. Augustine)

Acquire for yourself the love for executing the Commandments,
to deserve the Divine Love.
(Elder John Saba)

REFLECTION:

Courtesy is one of the properties of God, Who sends His sun
and rain to the just and the unjust through Courtesy. Courtesy
is the sister of Charity, by which hatred is overcome and love is prized.

God of kindness, help us to make Christian Courtesy the rule of
our lives. Let us show that courtesy to all in every circumstance-
so that we may truly imitate you.
(St. Francis of Assisi)

HOMILY:

THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST

I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
(Rev. 22:13)

This compilation is actual quotes that I have found in Scripture to highlight this claim.

Christ was with God in Creation:

In the Beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
(Gen.1:1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All
things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything
made that was made.
(John 1:1-3)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14)

God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time
past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days
spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all
things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being in the
brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person,
and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He
had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the Right Hand
of the Majesty on high.
(Heb.1:1-3)

But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and
ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God,
even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness
above Thy fellows.

And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of
the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.
(Heb.1:8-10)

In whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the
forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions,
or principalities or powers:* all things were created by
Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him
all things consist.
(Col.1:14-17)
* These are but some of the Names of the Angelic Hierarchy.

Christ Claimed Pre-existence:

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, before
Abraham was, I AM.
(John 8:58)

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would
love Me; for I proceedeth forth and came from God; neither
came I of Myself, but He sent Me.
(John 8:42)

And now O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with
the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.
(John 17:5)

And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM." and He said, "this
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, 'I AM hath sent me
unto you.'"
(Exodus 3:14)

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though thou be little among the
thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall come forth unto Me,
He that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been
from of old, from everlasting."
(Micah 5:2)

To Thee be Glory and Praise; now and ever; unto Ages of Ages.
AMEN!

(Compiled by DR from the Bible)

Today's Readings:

Evening: Psalm 7:7&10; Gospel Matt.16:24-28.
Morning: Psalm 5:12-13; Gospel Matt.10:34-42.
Liturgy: Rom.8:18-30; 1 Peter 3:8-15; Acts 19:23-41;
Psalm 67:36; Gospel Luke 12:4-12.

Copyright DR

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