If we save our soul even though we should be
a failure in everything else, we are a success
for all eternity. Prayer is the very breath of
the spiritual man. Do we pray with attention,
with a sense of our dependence on God
and with trust in God’s goodness? Have we
prayed deep into the night for our husband
and children, and for the souls in Purgatory?
We do not appreciate enough the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass. The Sacred Liturgy
is God spilling His Blood for us and we lie
in bed at home and deliberately miss Mass.
In the Holy Mass, it is Christ Himself who is
anxious to come to us, and we are not there
to receive Him. The soul cannot live without
food any more than the body can. We should
communicate as often as we possibly can. One
Holy Communion, well received, is sufficient
to make a saint. Once we have examined our
conscience, we are not yet prepared for the
Sacrament of Confession. The most important
part remains. Not one sin will be forgiven
without contrition. We must try to understand
how evil sin is. We are asked to spend
15 minutes to learn the harm of sin and to
acquire true sorrow for our sins. This time
may be used to meditate on Hell, Purgatory,
Heaven and the Sacred Passion of Christ.
We must love our religion! It has weathered
the storms of 20 centuries and will last till
the end of time. It is founded on a rock, which
is Christ, Who is the same yesterday, today
and tomorrow. The Christ we serve is a strong Christ, a victorious Christ, a triumphant
Christ who knows no ultimate defeat. In the end, when the earth shall be tossed
aside as a worn-out garment, He will gather His elect from the four corners of the
universe and lead them to everlasting glory. If we practice our religion faithfully,
we will come victoriously through the storms of this earthly life and arrive safely
at the Port of Everlasting Beatitude.
You and your families have been faithfully remembered at the Sacred Altar during
this immortal time of Triumph. May the Glory of the Easter Season fill your hearts
with His Peace! We are profoundly grateful for your Mass stipends and for your
prayers for the Church in Ukraine.
I impart to all of you, my priestly blessing:
In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Father IVAN KOLODIY
Byzantine Rite, Greek-Catholic Church, UKRAINE
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