Category: Homilies

We cannot exhaust all the theological profundity of the story of the resurrection of Lazarus. This short homily after Presanctified liturgy, 3 days before Lazarus Saturday, focuses on just one thing: Martha’s interaction with Jesus and the reality that is difficult to fully believe UNLESS it is lived: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”

In our continuing series of small homilies between Vespers and matins, based upon the texts of the services, we examine the repentance of St Mary of Egypt, and see how we can emulate it. Her repentance was not a one time, unique event! We must find ways to cultivate a repentant spirit; the hymns discussed today give us much to do to accomplish this.

“The pollution of past sins prevented thee from entering the church to see the elevation of the Holy Cross; but then thy conscience and the awareness of thine actions turned thee, O wise in God, to a better way of life. And, having looked upon the ikon of the blessed Maid of God, thou hast condemned all thy previous transgressions, O Mother worthy of all praise, and so hast gone with boldness to venerate the precious cross” (5th Sunday of Lent, Sat Vespers, Lord I have cried)

“I am held fast in the mire of sin, and there is no strength or courage in me; the tempests of my trespasses hast overwhelmed me. Look upon me, O Virgin, I entreat thee, for thou hast borne the Word who alone loves mankind. Deliver me from every sin, from all the passions that destroy my soul, and from every ill inflicted by the enemy, that I may sing with joy; Intercede with thy Son and God, O undefiled, that remission of transgressions may be given to those who in faith take refuge beneath thy protections.” (5th Sunday of Great Lent, Matins, Sessional Hymn after the 3rd Ode)

The Gospel for St Mary of Egypt presents a “riddle” to us: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”. The Lord tells us she is forgiven because of her love! What does this mean? It is very important to understand. We see in both Gospels 3 examples of what to do or not do to nurture this kind of love.

In our continuing series of small homilies between Vespers and matins, based upon the texts of the services, we examine the repentance of St Mary of Egypt, and see how we can emulate it. Her repentance was not a one time, unique event! We must find ways to cultivate a repentant spirit; the hymns discussed today give us much to do to accomplish this.

“The pollution of past sins prevented thee from entering the church to see the elevation of the Holy Cross; but then thy conscience and the awareness of thine actions turned thee, O wise in God, to a better way of life. And, having looked upon the ikon of the blessed Maid of God, thou hast condemned all thy previous transgressions, O Mother worthy of all praise, and so hast gone with boldness to venerate the precious cross” (5th Sunday of Lent, Sat Vespers, Lord I have cried)

“I am held fast in the mire of sin, and there is no strength or courage in me; the tempests of my trespasses hast overwhelmed me. Look upon me, O Virgin, I entreat thee, for thou hast borne the Word who alone loves mankind. Deliver me from every sin, from all the passions that destroy my soul, and from every ill inflicted by the enemy, that I may sing with joy; Intercede with thy Son and God, O undefiled, that remission of transgressions may be given to those who in faith take refuge beneath thy protections.” (5th Sunday of Great Lent, Matins, Sessional Hymn after the 3rd Ode)

We must understand the nature and effect of sin. The Matins canon, especially, in the Triodion, describes this in many important ways. Sin is not so much things we do or do not do, as it is our condition – weakened and often estranged from God. Let us look at the Matins Canon for the 4th week of Great Lent as it continues the Lenten theme of exploring the parable of the prodigal son and understand about the “whips of sin”, but looking at 3 stichera form the canon:

“My mind has been scourged by the whips of sin by wicked thieves and evil thoughts. Heal me, Christ my Savior, and save me for Thou art rich in mercy” (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)

“I have wasted my God-given life on the passions, O Master, and I am fiercely scourged in every part by my transgressions; but I turn to Thee for refuge and I pray: Have pity on me” (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 6)

“Scourging my mind with the passions, thieves have seized my wealth and left me as one dead, but take pity on me and save me O Lord. ” (Matins Canon, 4th Sunday of Great Lent, Ode 1)

Why do we fast? Few people understand that we fast because of a requirement of our nature and because of the nature of the demons. “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark. 9:29). Let us understand why we fast and put off all legalism concerning this essential practice.

A few words after Presanctified liturgy about the DOGMA regarding material things and attachment to them, referring to 3 stichera from the matins canon for St John Climacus. Our DOGMAS are not just about God, but some are strictly moral truths. Especially when we sing canons in honor of Saints, and in many Lenten canons, these truths are very apparent:

“Ascending from the dark sorrow of material things, O holy John, thou hast gone to dwell in spiritual light: give me light through thine intercessions to the Lord. ”

“Suckled on the sweetness of abstinence, thou hast cast away the bitterness of sensual indulgence; and so, father, thou givest us a pleasure sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. ”

“Ascending to the height of the virtues and rejecting the pleasures that creep upon the ground, O holy father, thou hast become the sweetness of salvation to thy flock. ”
(all from the matins canon to St John Climacus, Ode 1)