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Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...

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PRAYER BEFORE STUDY:<br />

Prayer of Hippolytus of Rome (2nd-3rd century A.D.)<br />

Almighty God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we beg You that when<br />

we receive the sacred mystery of the Eucharist it may bring us blessing. May<br />

Christ’s Body and Blood not bring condemnation upon us, but rather ennoble<br />

all who receive it.<br />

Eternal God, to whom that which is invisible is as clear as that which is visible;<br />

before You , we bow our heads, submitting to You our hard hearts and unruly<br />

bodies. Send down blessings from Your glorious dwelling on all men and<br />

women, lending to their prayers a ready ear. Hold them upright with Your strong<br />

hand, controlling all their evil passions. Preserve their bodies and souls, filling<br />

them with faith in Your Gospel and awe at Your majesty. Now and always unto<br />

ages of ages. Amen.<br />

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES:<br />

> St. Matthew 16:18-19, 28:20<br />

> St. John Chapter 6<br />

> James 2:5-7<br />

> 1 Thessalonians 2:12<br />

> Galatians 5:16-26<br />

> Colossians 1:18<br />

> 1 Timothy 3:15-16<br />

> Hebrews 2:10-13<br />

> Acts 2:47, 5: 9-11, 11:22-26,<br />

> St. Matthew 3:2-3, 4:23, 5:3,<br />

10:7-15, 13:37-43, 21:43<br />

REFLECTION :<br />

> Romans 12:2, 16:5<br />

> Acts 24:14-16<br />

> 1 Corinthians 12:27-31<br />

> St. John 4:24,18:36, 4:23-24<br />

> Ephesians 1:22, 4:4, 5:25-33<br />

> 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 12:27,14:40<br />

> St. Luke 17:20-21, 12:32-34<br />

> St. Matthew 4:10, 15:8-9<br />

12:5, 20:28-31<br />

5:19-20, 6:33,<br />

“Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no city to dwell in; Hungry and thirsty,<br />

their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord, in their trouble... He<br />

led them... to a city in which to dwell.”<br />

Millions today are lonely, even in the midst of crowds, having a hunger that<br />

nothing seems to satisfy, a thirst that never is quenched.<br />

The <strong>Church</strong> stands ready to fill the loneliness by offering Christ’s Body and<br />

Blood to feed the hungry soul. It offers a foretaste of heaven here on earth<br />

in the Liturgy and nourishes the hearts and minds of all believers with the<br />

message of the Gospel. It stands as a beacon on a hill for the lost and a<br />

haven for those tossed by the world’s vain pleasures.<br />

The <strong>Church</strong> does not offer false “solutions”. The loneliness it cures is not<br />

- 120-

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