Homily on the Sunday of forgiveness.
In today’s epistle Saint Peter writes to the people of Rome; instructing them how they are to approach the Great Lenten fast. Furthermore, he points out the importance of acceptance and love towards one another – the greatest commandment our Saviour left us to “Love one another”.
Great Lent is the time were we as Christians collect ourselves in prayer and contemplation – working out what it is in life that may act as a roadblock so to speak. Thus, through fasting (food, objects, behaviors ect..) and prayer (personal – from the heart, from prayer books, Liturgies, ect..) we shall be aided by the power, grace and energy of the All-Holy Spirit to (as we pray in the prayer of ordination) – heal that which is infirm and complete that which is lacking through the invocation of the all-Holy name of Jesus Christ!
Furthermore, over the course of the 2021 years and even at the time of Christ’s earthy ministry, there have been certain individuals claiming to be Apostles/Disciples of the Most High God (Jesus); fabricating their own version of historical events to suite their own interpretation of truth.
Thus, as we are well aware in the orthodox faith which is the same from day one to this present day: It does not interpret scripture out of the context of the Apostolic faith - further adhering to the teachings of the great Fathers of the Church throughout the years!
Therefore, as I have said many times and as our Metropolitan Archbishop Raffaele has written in his encyclical entitled the Faith - Thus, faith is not a matter of thought because to think encourages freedom of interpretation – which in this case leads to heresy (departure from that which has been established as truth) eg: the tendency to make God in our own image and likeness rather than knowing him as revealed to us in the faith of HIS Church!
Hence, the Apostle Peter also reminds the Christians of Rome that Great Lent is also a time where we sacrifice/surrender something or a part of us; reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice and act of love Christ endured for us when He (Jesus) willingly ascended the wood of the cross in order that death may no longer have a hold over His (God’s) creation but have life everlasting in Paradise.
This Monday the 8th of March the Church celebrated the feast of a great Father of the Church Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna.
He we born around the year 80 AD in the city of Smyrna Asia minor (Turkey) and was an orphan from a young age however, at the direction of an angel, he was adopted by a pious widow named Kallista. After the death of his adoptive mother, the Saint sold all his possessions and gave them to the poor. Thus, the left-over funds were used to ensure the sick could afford medicine and feed the hungry.
Hence, the Saint was close to the Bishop in those days' bishop Bukolos (commemorated on February 6th). Therefore, Saint Polycarp was ordained to the Deaconate where he was charged by his bishop to speared the teaching of the gospel.
Saint Polycarp was also very close to the Apostle Saint John the Theologian often journeying with him for the spread of the teaching of Christ.
Hence, after some time Bishop Bukolos ordained Saint Policard to the office of presbyter, however before the Bishop died, he ordered that Saint Polycarp was to succeed him in the episcopacy.
Thus, after his consecration to the episcopate Saint Polycarp beheld a vision of Christ our Saviour instructing him and encouraging him on the ministry he has been given. The Saint was greatly loved by all his clergy as his zeal for the faith shined through him every time he spoke.
Hence, when the emperor Marcus Aurelius came to power, he ordered that Saint Polycarp be brought to trial. Thus, after Polycarp professed his faith proudly, the courts decided to put him to death via burning. Hence, Saint Polycarp was tied to a wooden pole and a fire was lit around him; however the flames did not touch him.
Therefore, the pagan crowed screamed for him to be killed via the sward. Thus, at the request of the crowd - one of the soldiers thrusted his sward into the Saints body causing an extraordinary amount of blood to flow out of the Saint - extinguishing the flames that surrounded him. Saint Polycarp thus offered himself to Christ and fell asleep in our Lord.
And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Rom 13:11-14
Therefore, may we use this Saints works and deeds as a means of encouragement especially when faced with extraordinary challenges in order that we produce a fruitful harvest for our Lord’s Holy Pascha.
May we place Christ’s commandment as our focal point; to love on another - for the greatest gift of all is the gift of our time to those in need!
God never sends us away when we seek Him, thus it is our duty not only as Christians but a moral human beings to show love towards one another. This love comes from Jesus which is imparted from the Father via the Holy Spirit; the only way which hate/evil be abolished once and for all - something that all human beings should strive for - Christian and non!
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. Rom 14:1-4
Through the prayers of the Holy Theotokos and Her spouse Joseph, Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us!
留言