I remember first attending divine liturgy and wondering, (and even feeling superior!) in my utter ignorance, why the singing was so much about repentance again and again? Did I think we must be magically transformed by just being a member of the Church!? Yes. But now I see.... Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy, on me a sinner, again and again.... Glory to God.
Thank you for this sober reflection Fr. Peter! This is my approach I’ve been taking in my own ministry as a priest. True love isn’t affirming counterfeits. The “Salvation” of the various sects outside of the Orthodox Church, are counterfeits. Christ is the Truth, and Christ is love and, if we are to grow in Christ, we priests need to be true fathers. Thank you again Fr. Peter fantastic talk.
very powerful your message. yes REPENTANCE IS THE KEY WORD. Let s be thankful to our FATHER who is still merciful to us who wants us to be alive to become PERFECT. THANK YOU
This reminds me of something that I read recently in a homily of St. Nikolai Velimirovich: "Those who live under the same roof with us, and who are so concerned for our bodily needs and comfort, are often the worst enemies of our salvation, for their love and concern are not aimed at our soul but our body. How many parents have done inestimable damage to the souls of their sons, and brothers and sisters to the souls of their siblings, and wives to the souls of their husbands? And this all out of love for them!" Homilies, Volume 2, at 196.
We are so poisoned by our culture that this simple truth is lost on us. We've got it so backwards that we believe God thinks as we think. Consequently, difficulty for us is unthinkable. I know people, Orthodox people, who think hardship is evidence of Divine retribution or disfavor. Seems evident we don't possess the mind of the Holy Father's, the Church, of Christ. Lord, save us.
I need this real strict love of God for me, not the false love of the world. One of the tragedies in my life is that my father does not treat me as a son, because he approves of the Communist Party which belongs to the devil, so he cannot discipline me well either. I am in China, there is no orthodox church here, and I can't have a spiritual father to guide me on the road to salvation, I really feel that I am abandoned by God and I am very isolated. Although I read the Bible every day, read some of the life stories of the Orthodox Christian saints, and pray sometimes, I know that I am not yet a legitimate son of God, and I really need the discipline of the Lord Jesus, because I am Chinese, and it is difficult for me to have access to the Orthodox Church.
I remember first attending divine liturgy and wondering, (and even feeling superior!) in my utter ignorance, why the singing was so much about repentance again and again? Did I think we must be magically transformed by just being a member of the Church!?
Yes.
But now I see....
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy, on me a sinner, again and again....
Glory to God.
I need to be reminded of this time and again. Thank you so much Father, let it be blessed 🙏☦️
Thank you, Father ☦️
Thank God for your boldness father. Thank God!!!
That is me, my past protestantisms self- centered individualism has twisted me up. Pray for me Father.
This is one of the best shorts you've provided, for me personally, and it is much appreciated. Pray for us. Thank you.
The word is sharper than Any two edged sword and I just got cut. Whew
MY FATHER IS A TRUE FATHER !!!
Thank you for this sober reflection Fr. Peter! This is my approach I’ve been taking in my own ministry as a priest.
True love isn’t affirming counterfeits. The “Salvation” of the various sects outside of the Orthodox Church, are counterfeits. Christ is the Truth, and Christ is love and, if we are to grow in Christ, we priests need to be true fathers. Thank you again Fr. Peter fantastic talk.
very powerful your message. yes REPENTANCE IS THE KEY WORD. Let s be thankful to our FATHER who is still merciful to us who wants us to be alive to become PERFECT. THANK YOU
This reminds me of something that I read recently in a homily of St. Nikolai Velimirovich:
"Those who live under the same roof with us, and who are so concerned for our bodily needs and comfort, are often the worst enemies of our salvation, for their love and concern are not aimed at our soul but our body. How many parents have done inestimable damage to the souls of their sons, and brothers and sisters to the souls of their siblings, and wives to the souls of their husbands? And this all out of love for them!"
Homilies, Volume 2, at 196.
Very sobering
@@Stephen-uz8dm Thanks be to God 🙂
Glory to God.
THANK YOU FATHER - BRILLIANT AS ALWAYS !!!
Encouraging word, thank you
TY Father, one more day to repent. Amen.
We are so poisoned by our culture that this simple truth is lost on us. We've got it so backwards that we believe God thinks as we think. Consequently, difficulty for us is unthinkable. I know people, Orthodox people, who think hardship is evidence of Divine retribution or disfavor. Seems evident we don't possess the mind of the Holy Father's, the Church, of Christ. Lord, save us.
I need this real strict love of God for me, not the false love of the world.
One of the tragedies in my life is that my father does not treat me as a son, because he approves of the Communist Party which belongs to the devil, so he cannot discipline me well either.
I am in China, there is no orthodox church here, and I can't have a spiritual father to guide me on the road to salvation, I really feel that I am abandoned by God and I am very isolated.
Although I read the Bible every day, read some of the life stories of the Orthodox Christian saints, and pray sometimes, I know that I am not yet a legitimate son of God, and I really need the discipline of the Lord Jesus, because I am Chinese, and it is difficult for me to have access to the Orthodox Church.
Faith and patience brother. I will be praying for you ☦️
thank you father. why did the instagram reels stop?