Today is the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, and Fr. Micah opens his homily with a quote from St. Peter of Damascus: “But if repentance is too much for you, and you sin out of habit, even when you do not want to, show humility like the publican. This is enough to ensure your salvation. For he who sins without repenting, yet does not despair, must of necessity regard himself as the lowest of creatures and will not dare to judge or correct anyone.”

Fr. Micah expounds on this quote in his homily, emphasizing that we are not to judge one another. We are to recognize God’s grace and respond with humility and gratitude. However, like the publican, we are not to despair, because Christ, the Panagia, and the saints love us with such a great love.