“We never saw anything like this!” 1 st Sunday of Babah 2015

Peddling Vs Sincerity  For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. 2 Cor 2:17

Rejected indeed by men  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious 1 Pet 2:4

He is the forgiver of sins  37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; Acts 13:37,38

(St. Mark the Ascetic, Homilies, 1.126)  He who seeks the forgiveness of his sins loves humility. But he who judges another strengthens his own evil deeds against himself.

Joyful in Him  I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Ps 34:1,2

Blasphemy!!!  “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Mk 2:5  “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mk 2:7

(St. Mark the Ascetic, Sermon, 1.6)  A humble man who lives a spiritual life, when he reads the Holy Scriptures, while relate all things to himself and not to others.

We never saw anything like this  “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Mk 2:11  Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mk 2:12

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Catechetical Lectures 19:7 [A.D. 350])  "The bread and the wine of the Eucharist before the holy invocation of the adorable Trinity were simple bread and wine, but the invocation having been made, the bread becomes the body of Christ and the wine the blood of Christ".