Day 1: The First Paradise
‘Adam lived in Paradise as a priest in the house of God. Each inch in Paradise declared God’s love and care for him. Every now and then he would detect God’spresence around him and hear the sound of the Lord walking in the garden and respond to Him. With every breath Adam offered love to his Creator, everywhere and without mediators. Truly, the early Paradise with all its space, was the holy “House of God”, in which God planned to meet man without the need of a sanctuary, altar, offering, or incense.
Not before long, however, our parents were dismissed from Paradise, loaded with their burden of disobedience and unable to visualise the dazzling light of the Lord. In their weakness, and because of their deprived nature they felt as if heaven had become beyond their reach, and as if God had left them forever. They became aware of their earthly nature and wondered how they could be attached to the Heavenly One!
At this point it was inevitable that a heavenly action should intervene, to overcome such a deadlock created between God and man. Not only that, but also to emphasise, sometimes by concealed internal feelings, and at other times by clear announcements and tangible signs, that God is keen on His relationship with us, and ever wanting to share with us even our home… In view of that, God has introduced the rite ofthe sacrifice and the altar, as a preliminary basis for the house of God. ‘
– Fr Tadros Y. Malaty – The Church the House of God
Day 1: The First Paradise
‘Adam lived in Paradise as a priest in the house of God. Each inch in Paradise declared God’s love and care for him. Every now and then he would detect God’spresence around him and hear the sound of the Lord walking in the garden and respond to Him. With every breath Adam offered love to his Creator, everywhere and without mediators. Truly, the early Paradise with all its space, was the holy “House of God”, in which God planned to meet man without the need of a sanctuary, altar, offering, or incense.
Not before long, however, our parents were dismissed from Paradise, loaded with their burden of disobedience and unable to visualise the dazzling light of the Lord. In their weakness, and because of their deprived nature they felt as if heaven had become beyond their reach, and as if God had left them forever. They became aware of their earthly nature and wondered how they could be attached to the Heavenly One!
At this point it was inevitable that a heavenly action should intervene, to overcome such a deadlock created between God and man. Not only that, but also to emphasise, sometimes by concealed internal feelings, and at other times by clear announcements and tangible signs, that God is keen on His relationship with us, and ever wanting to share with us even our home… In view of that, God has introduced the rite ofthe sacrifice and the altar, as a preliminary basis for the house of God. ‘
– Fr Tadros Y. Malaty – The Church the House of God
Gospel from St. Mark the Apostle 9:33-50
Who Is the Greatest?
33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
Jesus Forbids Sectarianism
38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Jesus Warns of Offenses
42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— 48 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Lenten Guide | Week 1 | 4/3/19 | Day 1: The First Paradise
Gospel from St. Mark the Apostle 9:33-50
Who Is the Greatest?
33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
Jesus Forbids Sectarianism
38 Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Jesus Warns of Offenses
42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— 48 where
‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’
Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it?Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
