Enjoying the Divine Liturgy Remember Your first Love Campaign Enjoying the Divine Liturgy

Feeling a Spiritual Dryness I don’t feel God’s presence 2nd Stage of Faith Feeling a Spiritual Dryness I don’t feel God’s presence I don’t feel overwhelmed by God’s amazing love

The 2nd stage of faith is a stage of spiritual growth: growth in faith growth in our knowledge of God and His character growth in our trust in God

Liturgy = Mystery of the Eucharist (Mystery of Thanksgiving) It is the biggest source of help and power in the spiritual life- the power of resurrection “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:54

We must enter into God’s presence with a feeling of gratitude

  “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13:1

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9

His life is exchanged with ours – I became a part of Him

“I believed, therefore I spoke, “I am greatly afflicted (humbled) “I believed, therefore I spoke,  “I am greatly afflicted (humbled).” I said in my haste, “All men are liars.”  Ps 116:10-11

“What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?” Psalm 116:12

The Divine Liturgy is reliving our salvation

The secret to the joy of the Christian is his enjoyment of Salvation

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1

“I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD” Psalm 116:13

“I will pay my vows to the LORD Now in the presence of all His people Psalm 116:14

“Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

“O LORD, truly I am Your servant;          I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;” Psalm 116:16

“You have loosed my bonds “You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving.” Psalm 116:17

We also must approach His altar with the feeling of contrition

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 11:27

Liturgy is divided into 2 parts: Liturgy of the Word: The Readings Liturgy of the Eucharist: Consecration and Communion

Anaphora “Who formed man in incorruption; and death which entered into the world by the envy of the devil... You have not abandoned us to the end, but have always visited us through Your holy prophets, and in the last days, You did manifest Yourself to us... He incarnated and became man...”