First Commandment English

Saturday February 12, 2005

First Commandment English Chaldean

“I am the Lord thy God, Thou shall not have strange gods before Me”

The existence of God. In the Credo as the teaching of the holy church through the ecumenical counsel we say that we believe in God, the almighty creator of all things in heaven and on earth. When we say we believe in one God, we mean that we believe that nothing exists in the world except what was created by God who created heaven and earth and all things. Everything proclaims the existence of one God and that he is the master of everything.

In the matins prayer Sunday, according to Chaldean breviary page 35, we sing these words, “All the works of the Lord praise Him and bless Him. Heaven of the Lord give him and glory forever”.

Who is God

God is a spirit, simple and eternal. He is the creator of heaven and earth and organizer of everything. When we say that God is a simple spirit, we mean that He is not composed of matter or has the form to be seen by eyes or touched by hands “The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you not know where it comes from or where it is going.” John 3:8

When we say eternal, we mean that He is not in time but He always existed and will exist forever.

The perfection of God

All good things that man has are from God: knowledge, strength and goodness and all have limitations. For God there are no limitations for He is Perfect and eternal. God is everything. He is the fountain of wisdom, mercy, holiness and justice.

How do we know about God.

We have two ways to know about God. Natural reason and supernatural revelation, the truth from the sacred scriptures and tradition in which God reveals Himself to us.

The persons chosen and sent by God are called “witnesses”. One is these witnesses is Abraham, “The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s home and to a land that I am going to show you.” Genesis 12:1. Another of these witnesses is Isaiah, “The Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:13. Another witness is Joseph, “The angel of the lord appeared to him in a dream and said Joseph, descendent of David, do not be afraid to take Mary to your wife.” Matthew 1:20. Simeon was another witness, “Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God Now, Lord, You have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.” Luke 2:29

The baptism of Jesus

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water, “Then heaven was opened to him and he saw the spirit of God coming down like a dove and alighting on him. Then a voice said from heaven, this is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.” Matthew 3

The power of God was shown in the second person of the Holy Trinity, “Then Jesus answered. “Go away Satan! The scriptures say, worship the Lord your God and serve only Him” Matthew 4:10

Jesus was revealed as the son of God to his disciples, Simon Jacob and John, “While He was talking, a shining cloud came over them and a voice from the cloud said, This is my own dear Son with whom I am pleased-listen to Him.” Matthew 17:5

Jesus revealed to his disciples that He was the Son of God when he revealed to Thomas, “Jesus answered him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one goes to the father except by me.” John 14:6

Jesus revealed himself to Martha the sister of Lazarus when he said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? Yes lord, she answered, I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” John 11:25

Jesus also revealed himself to the Samaritan woman, “I know that he Messiah will come and when He comes, He will tell us everything, Jesus answered, I am He, I who am talking with you. John 4:25

Why we were created

God created us to believe in Him to love Him and to serve him and to return to Him in the next world. We have knowledge, faith and obedience. “Once more Jesus went away and prayed, My father, if this cup of suffering cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will done.” Matthew 26:42

In the chapter in Genesis after Abraham believed in God and listened to His divine call he confirmed and demonstrated his faith by attempting to sacrifice his son, Isaac, god accepted this sacrifice and said, don’t hurt the boy or do anything to him, now I know that you honor and obey God. Because you have not kept back your only son from me.” Genesis 22:12

In the person of Samuel we can walk in the good way and with him listen to God our Father and Creator when he calls us as He called Samuel. “The Lord came and stood there and called as He had before, Samuel Samuel! Samuel answered, Speak, your servant is listening” 1 Samuel 3:10

In the story of Paul’s conversion, we recognize that God is powerful and chooses people even if they act against his divine plan. St. Paul persecuted the early Christians and opposed the teaching of our lord Jesus Christ. “He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?” Who are you, Lord? He asked. I am Jesus, whom you persecute.” Acts 9:4. After his conversion he became one of the strongest defenders and pillars of the church.

The teaching of our Lord, Jesus Christ is the strength for all believers especially when we follow this teaching from the depths of our hearts, consciously and with humility and mercy. As well we learn heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbor as you love yourself: Luke 10:27

We cannot serve two masters, God and mammon. When we serve God, we have to serve Him as father from our hearts, our minds and our strength. Our sole motive should be to serve Him because He is our Father, not because he can reward or punish us. We serve and love Him for His glory and so His name can be holy, His kingdom come in our hearts and live and proclaim his kingdom for everyone starting with ourselves.

“From now on we will bless Your name and do Your will and until our death we will keep your command oh Father in Heaven.” Book of the Virgin Mary, Daughter of the East Page 71

This the way of holiness is the way of true love, the way of happiness. Holiness is the way that helps you arrive to Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no other way except this way. By this way we become closer to God and more fervent in the practice of our faith. In this way, we expect to hear from Jesus, “Come to me and possess the Kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34

Dear faithful brothers and sisters to be stronger in our faith I invite you to read chapter 12 and 13 of the first book of Corinthians which invites all of us into service of God. We learn how to serve God and love Him from the depths of our hearts forever.

It is great and good to finish this chapter with a song from the Confraternity of Love and Mercy which says:

Let us listen to this voice, good and sweet of Jesus our merciful God. Let us to Him with a pure heart and take his body and blood with love and desire to be for us a good shepherd and us one flock.

Children of Confraternity of Love and Mercy, let us keep the pearl that comes from sacred scriptures which came from the good lord in his gospel. To be for him witnesses and disciples of the truth, to sanctify his name forever with love and humility.

+ Archbishop Hanna Zora