On the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost (of the Healing of two blind and one dumb men, Matt. 9: 27-35), His Eminence Metropolitan Vladimir celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Metropolitan Nativity of the Lord Cathedral, assisted by assembly of priests and deacons of the Cathedral, and surrounded by numerous lay church-goers.
Present at the service were many parents with children, which points to the care of the Christians for the spiritual health of the coming generations. Truly the Church of Christ is the earthly mirror of the Kingdom of Heaven, with its utmost values and virtues of love and care for salvation young and innocent souls, and it is the church where children have an opportunity to experience the approaching to God, assisted by and following the example their parents who are aware of the fact that the best teaching in life is their own example.
This Sunday’s Gospel Reading speaks about the power of faith:
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
31 But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.
32 As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
33 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Through these simple Gospel stories of people’s healings and salvation, Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that strong and unshaken faith is the core of our liberation from any infirmity and illness that are nothing but consequence of sin and man’s departure from God. If by doubt and sinfulness the human being falls from the Creator, then the restoration may come only through faith and cultivation of virtues. And it is only spiritual vision that can give us an opportunity to see the imprint of God’s creation anywhere around us, and give glory to Him for His utmost mercy to the humanity.
This Sunday was very special for deacon Iuventin Gojan, who was ordained by Metropolitan Vladimir into priesthood and appointed to the parish of St. Archangel Michael and Gabriel in Soldanesti town. The archpastor cordially congratulated the young cleric and wished him to bear his cross of priesthood with much dignity and model Christian humility.
Following the Thanks-Giving prayers, the church-goers left the holy shrine in peace, in order to spread it wherever they go, and to return again to prayer, for the next Divine Liturgy, to replenish their spiritual forces.
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