Sermon on the 34th Sunday after Pentecost [2012]

 My Beloved,

Today’s Gospel [Luke 15, 11-32] is about joy…And not about any kind of joy but the joy of repentance [v. 32]. About the joy that comes from repentance, from view of the self.

For the return of the younger was due of self-views, of accurate and profound view of itself.

The waste of wealth and the living in fornications [v. 13] was the frame of his conversion. But the decision of the return he took it alone.

And he decided to return to his Father, at the heavenly Father…then when he realized what he lost.

For that the repentance means taking personal drama, the awareness of our own decadence.

But we see from the description of parable that repentance is not only the decision [v. 17-19] but also action [v. 20].

He has decided on what he wants to do…and then he accomplished with deed the heart’s desire.

And this is the motive for that lack of action is called hypocrisy, ie theatricalism. Because then when you want to do something…you do. But when you mimic an act you do nothing else then to pretend.

But the youngest did not mimic his return!

He really has returned…and the Father has made ​​compassion with him [v. 20].

And this immense mercy, divine of the Father was the lesson of life for the elder son [v. 31-32].

For people with pure life must learn the lesson of mercy, of the immense mercy of God for the sinners who repent.

For God gives the possibility of salvation to all until the last moment of earthly life.

And therefore the maximum importance of this life: for it is the time of salvation.

Now is the time of salvation…and the salvation is a spiritual joy.

For the purpose of asceticism is not to be gloomy…but to cleanse us from passions.

And there where is the purity of the heart there exists and happiness.

And over time I have met many people that confused the asceticism with empty sadness. Which enjoyed by grief as joy.

But the sadness is not the state of Orthodoxy but happiness. And now, before the fast, we must remember that the joy of God’s forgiveness is the purpose of our ascetic life.

And this thing means: „Son, thou art ever with Me, and all that I have is thine”! [v. 31, acc. KJV].

All that God has, He gives to us. But He asks from us same concern for the salvation of all.

Because we must give to all from of the His. For the logic of the grace is that everyone enjoys.

And where are not give happiness, confidence, compassion…there are not received from God all these.

Simultaneously we understand for here that the conversion is a resurrection from the dead. That is a new life.

And this, the spiritual life, which is the new life…is a life in accord with the life of Saints from God’s Kingdom.

In consequence, that the real life is holy life.

And if holy life is human life, then the ecclesiastical life is the true societal living.

But what means the ecclesiastical life? And what means else, than communion with God in the rhythm of present life?

Only that we must intuit in communion with God what is important for all.

And what is important is happiness and gladness for all, and namely the alive desire to save all.

In conclusion: and the sinner and the righteous can save if they do not mutually exclude.

Because as we enrich our spiritual experience so much we understand the saving changes in others.

And what imports is just this thing: as us to be wider in understanding of God’s will. Amen!