SERMONS
During these uncharted times of COVID-19, we encounter many challenges like never before. We are very worried and anxious about our health and the health of our loved ones. Furthermore, because of the political and social condition of our world, especially our country, the United States, we feel even more anxious about the times we are living in. Why do we fear? Why are we anxious? Why are we worried so much?
Here are some reasons why we should not fear, be anxious or worry:
Have you ever seen a Geode Rock? On the outside, it is a certain color but if you cut it in half various colors are formed into crystals on the inside, including completely hollow areas. The rock looks different from the inside than it does from the outside. We as humans are the same, figuratively speaking. On the outside, we are a certain color with distinct physical features, but we look different on the inside; I am not speaking in biological terms but rather in spiritual terms. That is, on the inside, we can find what we call: our personality, our spiritual life, our needs, and our desires. They are an outworking of various circumstances and situations that we have experienced in our life. Our mental, physical and emotional conditions all play a vital role in the condition of our “inside” being.
A few days ago we celebrated the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Mt. Tabor. This was a significant event in the life of Christ because it revealed, in a supernatural way, the divine nature of our Lord. His humanity was already on display by merely being a human, but his divinity was something that was yet to be grasped; however, this transfiguration gave the disciples who were present (Peter, James, and John) a glimpse of that divinity. It also marked a clear turning point for the disciples. That is, it showed them that Jesus is not one among the prophets, like that of Moses or Elijah. He was different! In our time we might say that “Jesus was in a league of his own.” The fact that He was God, truly divine and truly God, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, would be a matter that would be more concretely understood later on, as the disciples experienced the redemptive work of Christ and his post-resurrection appearance and his ascension into heaven.
n times like this, many of us may be wondering why we need to fast, especially during this pandemic. Some of us may think that fasting is all about suffering, and we have suffered enough during this trying time. Therefore, why should we fast, and more to the point, why should we fast for the Dormition of the Mother of God? Don’t we, typically, have the notion that we only fast when we want something really badly from God? As if this suffering is something that pleases God. That is not the case. Suffering is not what pleases God, but bearing Good fruits is pleasant before the Lord. If that is the case, why do we fast? If it is not for personal gain, why fast in the first place? To answer that let’s look at Moses and why he fasted. In Deuteronomy, Moses fasted for 40 days twice. In both of those instances, he was ascending the mountain, entering into the place where God is, and receiving from God His 10 Commandments. My brothers and sisters, fasting has the same purpose for us as well. This is why St. Gregory of Nyssa likens Moses’ ascent up the mountain to our own Deification, where a Cloud that is God Himself surrounds us. There in God’s presence, He will give us what we need, though it may not be what we want from Him.
The book of Galatians says, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. (Galatians 3:16) Paul makes the point that the promise of God to the Jewish people is not only for them but also for all humanity through “the one Seed” Jesus Christ. Through the Seed, Jesus Christ, all of humanity will have an opportunity to be redeemed and saved. Since he is the Seed, he is planted and bears fruit; and we, as believers are his fruit. The plan of salvation by God for humanity can be seen in this way.
