Sav's Sunday Post

[Savoia]

"Life is filled with trials and difficulties, but God offers us a refuge. That refuge is the peace He gives to those who trust Him. To trust Him, we must know Him, and to know Him is the very purpose of our existence." — Brother Giacomo


Holy Cross Cathedral, Lake Van, Turkey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathed...ross,_Aghtamar

[Savoia]

"There is a love which comes from God, which for those who are willing to receive it, will transform their lives and the lives of those they love. I invite you to receive this love. How, you may say? By opening your heart to the One who is waiting and wanting to make Himself known to you." — Frate Sebastiano


The Church of St. Nicholas in Paphos, Cyprus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paphos

[Savoia]

"When I look to the sky, I see your handiwork, the sun, the moon and the stars and every creature that flies. When I look to the sea, I perceive your love, for it is endless and deep, and when I see the church I am reminded that all things find their fulfilment in you."
— Brother Giacomo


La Chiesa di Sant'Antonio in Corignano Calabro, Cosenza, Italia

https://www.coriglianocal.it/beni-cu...ese/s-antonio/

[Savoia]

'When darkness comes, the way forward may seem uncertain, our vision being obscured by circumstances which can diminish our view. In such times, it is vital to keep darkness in perspective, understanding that it will be replaced by the dawning light from which it must retreat. Jesus declared Himself to be the "Light of the World" and went on to say "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." I encourage you to embrace this light which is Christ, and pray that His light may shine within you forever!' — Frate Sebastiano


La Chiesa di San Vigilio a Colfosco, Alta Badia, Italia / The Church of St. Vigilius in Colfosco, Alta Badia, Italy

https://www.altabadia.org/en/info/pa...-colfosco.html

A Song for Sunday

[Savoia]

"You were created to have fellowship with God; and when you do, your life will possess its greatest potential, for you will have connected yourself to the very designer of your soul." — Frate Sebastiano


The Dormition Cathedral in Omsk, Russia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormition_Cathedral,_Omsk

[Savoia]

The Value of Knowing God: 'If it were possible to know God, do you think this would be advantageous to you? God has said, "You will find me when you seek me with all your heart." Is this is too high a price to pay for knowing the Author of Life? Do you know why you were created in God's image? It is because you are His child. Come therefore and be united with He who loves you beyond measure, for this union with God is the very reason you were created.' — Frate Sebastiano


The Church of St. Thomas in Škofja Loka, Slovenia (Photo by Melvin Nicholson)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sveti_...5%A0kofja_Loka

A Song for Sunday

[Savoia]

"Just as someone who has never tasted a pomegranate is unqualified to comment on its flavour, so those who have yet to encounter Christ are unqualified to comment on whether He is worth following. You may change that by asking Him to make Himself known to you. Once you encounter Him, then and only then, can you honestly determine whether He is worthy of your affection."
— Frate Sebastiano


Reyniskirkja, Vík, southern Iceland (Photo by Nico Trinkhaus)

https://adventures.com/iceland/attra...ies-towns/vik/

[Savoia]

"Most plants perish when exposed to harsh environments, yet there are some which flourish in such conditions. Often, the difference between the two is resilience. No one will give you greater resilience to the challenges of this life than the One who overcame all in order to set you free. His name is Jesus, and He waits patiently for you to invite Him to be a part of your life." — Brother Giacomo


Garðarkirkja in Garðabær, Iceland (Photo by Thorfinnur Sigurgeirsson)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gar%C3%B0ab%C3%A6r

[Savoia]

"Seeing Clearly: Your life is influenced in no small part by your perspective, because how you see determines how you understand. When Christ is at the centre of your heart, believe me, you are going to see this world differently." — Frate Sebastiano


The Church of St. George in Odintsovo, Russia (Photo by Arthur Lookyanov)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odintsovo

[Savoia]

'New Beginnings: "Come now and let us reason together" says the Lord. "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." This is the offer of a generous God towards a sinful and rebellious world. It is an offer we don't deserve; it is a great offer, the best offer, and the time is now upon us to finally do what is right and make peace with God through Jesus Christ. We can make no better choice in this life.' — Frate Sebastiano


The Church of St. Martin in Huben, Austria (Photo by Roman Shymko)

https://www.laengenfeld.com/winter/e...il&itemId=1696

[Savoia]

"No gift can compare with the blessing of the Christ Child. In Him we have been given pardon for sin, healing for sickness, hope for despair and the promise of heaven to save us from perdition. He is the gift who transforms all things." — Brother Giacomo


Churches in Elena, Bulgaria

Elena Town

[Savoia]

"Christmas celebrates the earthly commencement of God's rescue plan for humanity. Through His Son Jesus, all mankind has access to His forgiveness as well as the promise of eternal life. But to enjoy this promise we must connect ourselves to the rescuer; even to the unwise this surely makes sense?" — Brother Giacomo


AS350B3e OE-BXN (cn.8566) as seen in front of Sacred Heart Church in Huben, Tyrol, Austria on 8th December 2020

https://www.tyrol.tl/en/tyrol/hohe-t...t-tyrol/huben/

[Savoia]

"Jesus Christ is the fortress in which we may take refuge. He is the Sure Foundation and immovable Solid Rock. He is the Great Lover of our souls who died that we may be free." — Brother Giacomo


Chapel at Ananuri Castle in Georgia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananuri

[Savoia]

"Seasons change, not only in the world around us, but also within our lives. In nature, winter often represents a time of drawing upon previously stored reserves. Similarly, there are times when circumstances compel us to draw upon our reserves. But what about those who have no reserves? This is when many come to realise their need of God, and which is one of the reasons He is so popular in the developing world. The good news is that when you need Him, He will be there for you, because this is His nature, the nature of a faithful, loving Father. All the more reason then to make sure you become His child." — Brother Giacomo


Church of the Assumption, Lake Bled, Slovenia

http://zupnija-bled.si/

[Savoia]

"The theologian GK Chesterton once wrote: 'To truly love means loving the unlovable, to really forgive means forgiving the unforgivable; to have faith means believing the unbelievable, and to hope means hoping even when everything seems hopeless.' To do these things requires help from God, and what I have discovered is that if we ask Him, He will help us." — Brother Giacomo


La chiesa di Sant'Eufemia, Musso, Lago di Como, Italia

https://www.northlakecomo.net/818-Ar...i-Sant-Eufemia

[Savoia]

"Some hesitate to draw near to God for fear of the unknown. But what you may not know is that above all God simply wants you to allow Him to love you. Now in order to truly perceive God's love, your heart must be open to Him, and while this always involves risk, I want to assure you that your heart will be in good hands, because He who created you is completely trustworthy." — Brother Giacomo


Puig-Agut Chapel near Manlleu in Catalonia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manlleu

[Savoia]

"Sometimes in life, that which appears certain can suddenly disappear; but those things which are of God, though they seem lost, return like the sun from behind the clouds." — Brother Giacomo


The Chapel of St. Tecwyn in Llandecwyn, Wales (Photo by David Thurlow)

https://paulchallinor.com/2015/04/15...-in-merionydd/

[Savoia]

'Just as light may be found in the night, so too can hope be found in life's darker moments. Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness." And I encourage you to walk in the light of Christ, because it is for this very purpose that you were created.' — Brother Giacomo


Short Creek Lutheran Church North Dakota (Photo by EJ Rice)

http://everybodyhastobesomewhere.blo...-cemetery.html

[Savoia]

"The 'Cross of Christ' isn't simply religious-speak for a holy symbol, but a timeless receipt declaring that our sins have been paid in full. What is the greatest thing you have done for your child? Chances are it involved some sacrifice on your part, even as your heavenly Father sacrificed His Beloved Son so that where He is, you may also be." — Brother Giacomo


Stone cross at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Maras, Peru

http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/36277

True Stories on Sunday

[Savoia]

"There are times when we find ourselves in the shadows, where things are cold and sombre. In such places we must look up, because there is hope, and that hope is the certainty that the One who formed us, holds our future in His hands. Brighter times are ahead, and there is no one better able to get us there, than He who loves us beyond measure." — Brother Giacomo


Novodevichy Convent, Moscow

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novodevichy_Convent

[Savoia]

"If you never seek beyond your boundaries of comfort, how can you ever experience anything new? This especially applies to encountering God, so my question is .. how far beyond your boundary of comfort are you willing to travel in order to experience Him?" — Brother Giacomo


Chiesa Santa Croce, Alta Badia, Alto Adige, Italia (Photo by Andreas Peters)

https://www.altabadia.org/en/summer-...ce-church.html

[Savoia]

"In agrarian communities, autumn marks the end of harvest, a time for reaping the reward of one's labours. Yet there are those who have squandered the opportunities they have received, and which is why in God's calendar there is such a thing as the 'late autumn harvest'. This is given to those who grieve over their failings and who are committed to righting their wrongs, that they may be afforded another chance. For this is the nature of God; ever merciful, full of compassion, deeply understanding and the God of the second chance." — Brother Giacomo


Immanuel Church, Esmond, North Dakota

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esmond,_North_Dakota

[Savoia]

"God sees our life from a vantage point, and which is just one of the many reasons why seeking His guidance is so beneficial."
— Brother Giacomo


The Chapel of Panagia Tsampika in Pera Chorio Nisou, Cyprus

https://www.cyprusalive.com/en/panagia-tsampika-nicosia

[Savoia]

'Dark clouds overshadow us at different times in our life; this comes as part of our human experience. But David, the shepherd boy turned king once wrote, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me." He spoke of another shepherd, that Great Shepherd of our souls who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. I want you to know that there is no challenge, obstacle or tragedy which you cannot meet, overcome or get through when God is by your side. Take shelter in Him when the dark clouds come, even always, as He will not reject you, for you are His creation and His love for you is beyond measure.' — Brother Giacomo


The Church of St. Mary & St. Finnan, Glenfinnan, Scotland

https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co....nan/index.html

[Savoia]

"Through the willing and costly sacrifice of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ, God opened the door of fellowship between Himself and mankind which had been shut by the sin of Adam. That door is Christ Himself who will receive you with arms wide open whenever you are ready, and if you understood just how much God loves you, you would surely run to that door." — Brother Giacomo


All Saints Chapel, Hamilton Island, Australia

Hamilton Island

[Savoia]

"On the day we recognise that we are God's offspring, created in love to be His family, we should also understand why He will never force us to love Him back; for love which is forced is no love at all. And for those who dare to love Him, what can I say, but that all eternity belongs to them!" — Brother Giacomo


Church in Oia, Santorini, Greece

https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/sant...gory-churches/

[Savoia]

"If I were to tell you that the world's most elaborately decorated cathedrals and basilicas were the result of an assortment of atoms and molecules which had randomly assembled in the aftermath of a storm, I expect you would laugh in my face, for such a notion is preposterous. In the same way, I laugh at those who tell me this world was formed in like manner." — Brother Giacomo


Basilica di Sant'Elena Imperatrice, Sardegna

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basili...na_Imperatrice

[Savoia]

"The greatest investment you can make in your child, whether they be young or old, is to strengthen their faith in God. Needless to say, in order to to do this, you must first strengthen your own faith in Him." — Brother Giacomo

[Savoia]

"The fulfilment of our highest potential is directly proportional to the extent that we are willing to obey God. To obey God we must first understand His purpose for us, which in turn requires that we seek His will for our life, and this we do by petitioning Him in prayer until His answer is made clear." — Brother Giacomo


Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khor_Virap

[Savoia]

"All paths do not lead to God, just as all roads do not lead to Rome. The path to God is difficult, but the view once you reach the summit is exceptional. Do everything you can to find and follow this path, for it is the only one which leads to life." — Brother Giacomo


Tsambika Monastery in Rhodes, Greece

https://www.greeka.com/dodecanese/rh...ika-monastery/