FEAST OF ST JOHN DAMASCENE, PRIEST AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
JESUS BUILT HIS CHURCH ON ROCK.
BUILD YOUR HOUSE ON ROCK
"Jesus said to his disciples:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
"And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” (Matthew 7: 21, 24 - 27)."
Thursday December 4th of the 1st Week of Advent is the Feast of St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church.
St John Damascene lived between 675 and 749 AD.
He was:
. Religious Priest and Doctor of the Church.
John was born in Damascus.
Before his ordination to the priesthood in 726, St John was the finance minister to the Caliph.
His work of life was mostly study and writing. He produced books in dogmatic theology.
St John Damascene wrote a significant book on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
But his defense of the use of images/icons is his definitive contribution to the Church.
Without John Damascene, we may not be able to use images/icons in worship or in our devotions.
For example: Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy, Mary and the Saints, etc.
Thank You Jesus for making St John Damascene Hammer of Heretics.
Thank you St John Damascene.
Below are three of my favorite quotes from St John Damascene:
1. “The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.”
2. “I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake and deigned to inhabit matter, who worked out my salvation through matter.”
3. “Images are books for the illiterate and silent heralds of the honor of the saints, teaching those who see with a soundless voice and sanctifying the sight.”
"These three quotes together express his vision of creation as sacramental, the Incarnation as the key to venerating material reality, and icons as catechesis in color for the faithful."
Our key Scripture for today is rich in inspirations on how to make our lives a great success.
BUILD your life on the Rock that is Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is our Hope.
Let us sample a few inspirations from the Scriptures:
"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." (Psalm 118: 8 - 9).
"A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” (Isaiah 26: 3).
"Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock." (Isaiah 26: 4).
When you build your life on the Rock that is Jesus, your life will be safe, solid and secure.
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call him while he is near." (Isaiah 55: 6).
That means Today. You are not guaranteed Tomorrow.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
(Matthew 7: 21).
God does not deceive any person and He cannot be deceived. Don't even try it!
The Church honors the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary every day in December.
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
"Trust Me with all the events of your life. I will not abandon you. You are Mine and I will not forsake you. The decisions of men are all in My hands. Nothing will befall you that I do not permit. I will give you My grace to accept the changing circumstances of your life. It is I who am behind all that happens to you. Nothing escapes My wisdom; nothing escapes My love; nothing escapes My omnipotence. Trust Me, and be at peace. I bless you with all the love of My Sacred Heart. Do not be afraid. Tell Me again and again that you trust in My merciful love for you." (IN SINU JESU, Tuesday, June 17, 2008 ).
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
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