Sunday Sermon

From the First Epistle of St. Peter we hear: ". . . for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (I St. Peter 5:5) Not only did St. Peter learn this truth from Holy Scripture but he learned it even more importantly by witnessing Our Blessed Saviour humble Himself in the service of those around Him.

“We have labored all the night, and have taken nothing.” – St. Luke 5: 5. No wonder that the fishermen brought their nets and boats to land in sheer vexation. Why should they give themselves further trouble? They had labored all the night and had taken nothing. They were tired of this useless toil. How many there are nowadays who also labor in vain!

Theologians speak of an act of the will, guiding the heart, soul and spirit, to do something. In this case, we make an Act in regard to one of the Theological Virtues, Faith, Hope or Charity, or an Act of Contrition, when repenting of our sins. This act is a decision to devote our self to this virtue and in doing so, we usually use words to express the intention of our heart.

Everybody who calls themselves a Christian has a story that includes pain and suffering. Behind each smiling face you will discover a tale of pain, difficulty, heartache, and many unanswered questions. Not that we aren’t happy–we are–or at least most of us are, but no one gets a free ride through life. Into each life some rain must fall. No one lives in the sunshine forever.

“And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners. “— St. Luke 15: 2.

“Now the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.” Certainly their intention was a good one, and who could find fault with it? Christ receives sinners; he goes in search of them; he goes into their houses; he eats and drinks with them, so as to win their hearts and convert them to God. A most holy work, indeed, and who could have anything to say against it? And yet there were false and wicked tongues that spat out poison, murmured and complained, and cried down our Lord as a public sinner on account of that holy work.

Many confuse Conversion and repentance. Conversion is an event, whereas repentance is a way of life, a life of penance.

Our Lord also warns us: "But if thine eye be evil thy whole body shall be darksome. If then the light that is in thee, be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be!" If instead of turning our eyes towards Him Who is our ultimate good, by avarice we turn them towards the passing goods of this world, seeking after them inordinately, indeed serving them as if they were our masters, we invite darkness into all that we do, and we comport ourselves as if blinded.

God wants His "house" to be filled. He has invited each one of us to His supper and wants us to attend. And yet how often do we come up with excuses? How often do we respond in the negative to the God's request?

A little over a century ago a book was written, The Comparative Number of the Saved and the Lost. (1899 by Father Nicholas Walsh) It puts forth the proposition that the majority of mankind are saved. We must consider whether this view is true or false.

Our Lord began His very first sermon in Galilee with a call to repentance. He said: "The time is accomplished, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel." Repentance is the great means which can bring us closer to the Kingdom of God. Daily life in this fallen world is a struggle - but for the Christian it is a struggle that he or she never has to face alone. Through genuine abandonment and entrusting oneself unto our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ, one finds that the power of His grace can even make suffering sweet when embraced for His sake. Let us today embrace all the more the sweet yoke of Christ, and work in His grace.