Shunoyo Lent Day 5

 Θεοτοκος ἐν Λειτουργιᾳ   

(Meditating Holy Theotokos through the Divine Liturgy)

English Translation

Mary carried Christ on her knees and gave pure milk to Him, who nourishes all things. She wrapped Him in swaddling bands and laid Him in a manger, who united His Godhead with our humanity. 

Hymn

Mashihaye mariyam muttinmelenthi

Sthanyam vimalam sakalajagath poshakaneki

Daivathodu narane yojipichone

Vachu keerathuni chutti paazhpulkoottil 

(Kolo, Sheema Thursday Evening Prayer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"Sthanyam vimalam sakalajagath poshakaneki"

(Gave pure milk to Him, who nourishes all things)

St. Augustine says about Virgin Mary - "Him whom the heavens cannot contain, the womb of one woman bore. She ruled our Ruler; she carried Him in whom we are; she gave milk to our Bread." A similar Hymn we sing is - "He who makes rain pour from clouds and sprinkles earth with showers; Was nursed with the drops of milk from the breast of the Virgin. And wonder filled His mother when she bore and carried Him" (Kolo, Sheema Thursday Morning Prayer). How awe-inspiring and wondrous is this expression! The one who nourishes all things is lying on the knees of Mary. The one who is from the beginning of eternity, willed to have a beginning, being nursed like an infant. The mother's milk is the most essential feed for an infant. When the Divine sucked from the breast of Mary, He was nourished with the purest milk of the most pious and humble person on earth. We all partake in the altar of mysteries of our Lord! We have the privilege of receiving the Holy Body of Christ! But, how do we nourish the mysteries received? Do we nourish it with pure minds and soul, to grow more in Divine likeness or do we neglect this privilege off vain pursuit? It is interesting to note a contrast at this point. Remember, when Mary chose to nourish the wondrous infant giving Him purest milk, there was another person looking strenuously to execute this wondrous infant. It was the ruling King Herod! In his pursuit of power, kingship, he issued a decree to kill all the infants of 2 years and below. Every good or evil we receive or assume is in a seed form, in an infant state. It is our spiritual discernment to nourish the good with pure mind and soul and at the same time slaughter all the evil in its infant state. For the psalmist also says, "Happy shall they be who take your little ones (infants) and dash them against the rock!" (Psalm 137:9). Which means, our sins, when they are in very infant state, should be dashed against the rock or be executed. Whereas, the goodness we receive should be nourished all the times. May the intercession of most holy Theotokos help us to find God's favour that we may nourish and grow the Holy Mysteries we receive. May God bless us. 

Prayers and Regards - Dn. Jipson Thomas