Dear faithful,
for business reasons, I decided to publish in advance the homily of this Sunday. This choice is motivated by several practical and spiritual reasons that I would like to share with you.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, reminds us of the importance of manual labor and industriousness as a sign of a devout and disciplined life: "We urge you, brothers, to live in peace, to see your own affairs and to work with your hands, as we have commanded, so that you may walk with dignity towards those outside and need no one" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). This passage emphasizes the dignity of work and the need to organize one’s time effectively.
Similarly, the Rule of Saint Benedict, with its motto "Ora et labora" (Pray and work), emphasizes the balance between prayer and work. St Benedict exhorts monks to dedicate themselves with equal commitment to prayer and daily work, seeing in both a way of serving God.
This principle also applies to my pastoral ministry, where a good management of working time allows me to devote myself with greater serenity and concentration to the preparation of the homily.
Thank you for your understanding.
Between Faith and Hope
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Matthew (Mt 9,1-8).
And he went into a boat, and passed to the other side, and came to his city. And behold, they brought him a paralytic lying on a bed. Jesus, seen their faith, said to the paralytic: «Courage, son, your sins are forgiven». Then some scribes began to think: «This one blasphemes». But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said: Why do you think evil things in your heart? What is easier, then, to say: Are your sins forgiven, or to say: Arise and walk? Now, so that you may know that the Son of man has the power on earth to forgive sins: arise, he said to the paralytic, take your bed and go home». And he arose and went to his house. At that sight the multitude was taken with fear and gave glory to God who had given such power to men.
Reflection.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, peace and goodness be yours in abundance.
Today, on the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the feast of St Mary Magdalene, one of the most fascinating and significant figures in the New Testament. Her story tells us about transformation, faith and dedication, all rooted in the infinite mercy of God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about the paralytic brought to Jesus by his friends. Seeing their faith, Jesus first forgives the paralytic’s sins and then physically heals him. This double healing, of body and soul, underlines that the mission of Christ is to bring about a complete healing, which embraces every aspect of our lives.
Similarly, in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 8, verses 1-3, we read of Mary Magdalene, freed from seven demons. This act of spiritual healing completely transforms her life, making her a devout disciple who follows and sustains Jesus with all her heart. Mary Magdalene is also the first witness of the resurrection, announcing the good news to the disciples. Her life is a powerful example of the transformative power of Christ’s love and forgiveness.
You must know, my beloved brothers and sisters, that when the divine grace touches the human being, it breaks the chains of every impediment - physical, mental and spiritual. The effect is like the disappearance of a painful weight: the mind becomes clear, free from the mists that clouded it. Our body relaxes completely, as after a therapeutic massage and a hot bath. The Holy Spirit restores our dignity and health, purifying the stained glass of our soul, allowing the light of divine grace to shine again in us, showing us as icons of the living God in our path of growth towards Him.
Although the story is written by Saint Matthew, a publican with a philosophical mind capable of reflecting on both earthly and spiritual issues, like great thinkers like Plato, The Gospel of Saint Luke offers us a medical and psychological perspective on spiritual pollution. Luke, being a psychiatrist and physician of high competence, uses medical categories in his Gospel to describe the healings (divine grace) The Son of the Most High has been called to heal the human being. It is important to note that the Apostles and Evangelists were not as ignorant as is often thought; fishing, for example, was an essential means of livelihood since, At the time, there was no social welfare system like the Centrelink, and it represented a common and vital work for the community.
These stories, therefore, are not simply ancient stories, but living and present realities that testify to the power of Jesus to heal and transform our lives today. In this context, I would like to share with you a personal testimony that I hope will touch your hearts and strengthen your faith, demonstrating how the divine grace continues to work in a tangible way in our lives.
Like the paralytic and Mary Magdalene, I too have experienced the merciful healing of God and the transformation that comes from embracing the true faith. There was a time in my life when I felt paralyzed not in the body, but in the soul. The weights of worries, faults and insecurities blocked me, making it difficult to see a way out. But in that moment of despair, I took a step of faith and was led to the Orthodox Church.
I remember clearly the moment when I felt the weight lift from my heart. It was not an immediate and magical change, but a progressive inner healing that began with my conversion. Entering the Orthodox Church, I found a depth of faith and a community that welcomed me with love. Through the sacraments and prayer, I experienced a peace that I had never known before, a feeling of being loved and forgiven completely. This experience transformed me profoundly, allowing me to live with a new hope and purpose.
But even if we are fragile, we often fall into the abyss looking for strength in false teachers, false prophets or supposed Holy men who dazzle our minds with their heresies. It is easy to be seduced by empty promises and illusions, but we must remember that only in Christ do we find truth and life. Our faith must be firm and our discernment vigilant. We must be strong in rejecting these temptations with all our might, remaining firmly anchored in the eternal love of God.
Brothers and sisters, we all need the divine grace to live better, to find the peace and healing that only Christ can offer. Like the paralytic and Mary Magdalene, we are invited to bring our wounds and sins to Jesus. He is ready to receive us, to forgive us and to heal us completely.
There is nothing too big or too small that his love cannot transform. Let us allow the example of Mary Magdalene to inspire us to live a life of authentic faith, open to the mercy and healing that Jesus offers us. Let us open our hearts to his grace and allow him to transform us, as he did with Mary Magdalene and the paralytic, as he did with me, leading me to the fullness of faith in the Orthodox Church.
May the peace and love of Christ fill your hearts today and always. Amen.
Father Michele Alberto Del Duca.
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