The Holy Prophet Jeremiah (625-585 BC); Coronation of Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God (1773)
Passing into Eternal Life (1951) of Blessed Klymentii (Clement) Sheptytsky, Archimandrite of the Studites and Confessor
Read
Acts 12:25-13:12; John 8:51-59
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Today we have huge technological advances and an ability to transfer vast amounts of data at increasingly and incredibly faster rates. It is in the midst of this that we can recognize that the transfer of data is not the fullness of communication. Even though we have a plethora of friends on Facebook and other social media, we still seek out opportunities of genuine relationships, of not just knowing about a person, but knowing them.
The Jews who came to Jesus recognized that Abraham, their (and our) father in faith, had this type of relationship with the Lord God. It was because of that friendship with God that he became their (and our) father in faith. Jesus makes the bold statement that Abraham rejoiced and was glad when he came to know and witness that relationship of the Son (Jesus) and the Father. It challenged the very worldview of the Jews
Here’s even more of a challenge for us… the very divine life that the Son (Jesus) shares with the Father, is the very life that He wishes us to participate in. St. Peter put it this way:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, that through these you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of passion and become partakers of the divine nature (1 Pt 1:3-4).
The words of the Lord are our life! If we adhere to them, put them into practice, live by them, then death will not be and end, but a threshold to that a life, and all the relationships of that life, that is divine by His tender mercy and grace.