THE FEAST OF ST GREGORY OF NAREK, MONK AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

Feast of St Gregory of Narek, Monk and Doctor of the Church. 

AVOID ANGER. 

THE GOSPEL:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your right­eousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You fool, will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”  (Matthew 5: 20 - 26).

Friday February 27th in the 1st Week of Lent is the feast of St Gregory of Narek, Monk and Doctor of the Church. 

St. Gregory of Narek (c. 950–1003 AD) was an Armenian monk, poet, and mystic from Narekavank Monastery.

Born near Lake Van to a scholarly family, he was orphaned young, educated by his uncle, and ordained a priest around 977.

 He taught theology there and lived as a hermit in later years.

 His masterpiece, the Book of Lamentations, features 95 prayers on sin, mercy, and divine longing, plus hymns and a Song of Songs commentary. 

St Gregory of Narek is a saint in Armenian and Catholic traditions.

 Pope Francis named him a Doctor of the Church in 2015. Feast: February 27.

Are you a minimalist or one who lives the More in life in everything. A More person is a Magis person. Magis simply means More. It is an attitude of the heart and mind that goes for More in everything and never for the least or minimum.  

This is a core principle of St Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

 Ignatius urged his followers to give more, to be more and to do more. 

Perhaps this may be one of the reasons the Jesuits excel in many of their understakings. 

In Matthew 5: 20:

"Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, unless your right­eousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven." 

In other words, the Minimum will never get you into Heaven. 

 For example, the Church law states that you must receive Holy Communion "at least" once a year. The minimalist rejoices and says to himself:  "This is great. This is easy. I can do this." The Magis person goes for more. Weekly Holy Communion or even daily. 

"Dearest Lord,

teach me to be generous;

teach me to serve You as You deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labour and not to ask for reward

save that of knowing I am doing Your Will."  (St Ignatius Loyola).

GENEROSITY IS ONE OF THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Catholic Church honors the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph in February. 

As we honor the Holy Family this month, we see that the domestic life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph was the school of Divine Providence. 

The same hands that planed wood eventually stretched out on the Cross to redeem the world.

​"Lord Jesus, may we never be 'offended' by Your humility, but rather find our true purpose in Your Divine Will."

For Devotional prayer and prayer intentions to the Holy Family, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-holy-family-devotion.html