Word XVII

On Tuesday, October 29, those who live and serve at the Ioannovsky Convent had the joy of being comforted by the service of the dear founder and patron of the monastery, Archpriest John Ilyich Sergiev. For three and a half months batushka, on account of illness, had not served at his monastery. Not only those who live there, but also outside pilgrims, accustomed in previous years to more frequent services by him, waited impatiently for the day when they would again see their dear and kind pastor, hear a word of edification from him, and be made worthy of partaking of the Holy Mysteries. And now the desire was fulfilled. By the beginning of the Liturgy, in addition to the nuns, many pilgrims had gathered, even though it had only become known the evening before that the service was to take place. When, after a long spell of gloomy, cold weather, the clear little sun appears, everything living becomes lively and joyful; the light and warmth of the sun have a most beneficial influence on the life of the whole world. Something similar could be observed among the admirers of the dear batushka, who had themselves experienced the beneficial significance of his prayer. The mood of all was festive. Feeling within themselves a joy not of this earth, all gaze upon the face of the ascetic elder, radiant with virtue and heavenly peace, offer up earnest prayers together with him, and at the end of the Liturgy listen with great attention to his edifying teaching, of approximately the following content.

Let me begin today’s sermon with those very words with which the Lord Jesus Christ began His own divine preaching, when, after His baptism, He set out on His ministry to the human race. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Lk 4:17). Let us understand for ourselves the essence of true repentance, to which the Lord God calls all men. Repentance is that state in which a man has come fully to an awareness of his own sinfulness, when he grieves in his soul, clearly picturing to himself that abyss which stands ready to swallow up unrepentant sinners. Repentance is necessary for every man, because we all sin much (Jac 3:2); our sins are as numerous as the sand of the earth, as the stars of heaven; they have sent their branches into every part of man’s being. Therefore a sinful man withdraws to an immeasurable distance from God, walks in darkness, becomes a slave of the devil, an heir of eternal torment; he is dead in spirit. And, on the contrary, whoever turns to repentance begins to come back to life and to draw near to God.

Further, since we sin willingly, we ought also to repent willingly, not waiting for some compulsion to it. Sincerely, with a contrite and humble heart, before the face of the all-knowing God, sparing not our old man, to examine our life and our many sins, to judge ourselves impartially for them, to desire sincerely amendment from the sins and passions that ensnare our soul every day—this is true repentance! Of course, a feeling of repentance does not arise all at once, because of the great number of our sins. Besides this, an essential mark of true, soul-saving repentance is a change of sinful impulses into good, Christian feelings and impulses: our souls have become barren, or have begun to bear evil, bitter fruits of darkness and sin; we must make them fruitful, bearing the fruits of virtue. Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance (Lk 3:8).

Repentance is a great gift of God’s goodness to sinful man, for through it a man, immeasurably estranged from God, once more enters into blessed union with Him. Man, of course, could never draw so near to God, had God Himself not drawn near to us. But behold, the Only-Begotten Son of God Himself has come to us, has taken upon Himself human nature, that He might heal like with like; He became like us in all things except sin, that He might the more readily teach men, converse with them, do them good, work miracles, suffer for the sins of men, and open the entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Picturing to ourselves how God has drawn near to us, we too must draw near to Him, must rise up from the sleep of sin and from darkness into the light, must be renewed, and must keep the commandments of God bravely, firmly, and earnestly. Only in this way can we draw near to God and be in union with Him. Otherwise, what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness, what communion has light with darkness, what agreement has Christ with Belial? (2Cor 6:14-15).

So then, dear brothers and sisters, make use, all of you, of repentance; pray that the Lord may enlighten the eyes of your hearts and help you to see the depth of the distance separating sinful man from God. However, I do not find that all of you are as far from God as unbelievers are. You are united with God through faith, earnest prayer, instruction in the word of God, communion of the Holy Mysteries; therefore you are already not far from God—may He dwell within you by His grace, may He live in you, guide you, and comfort you amid the sorrows and misfortunes of this earthly life!

See, too, how the Lord God has drawn near to us! The countless choirs of angels marvel at how the Lord has drawn near to us through the Mystery of Communion. Behold, we, the celebrants, by the grace given us, have performed this Mystery, have ourselves communed, and are now preparing to give you the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Consider, what goodness, what nearness of God: «take, eat, this is My Body… drink of it, all of you, this is My Blood of the new covenant…» says the Lord. And the believing man feels that he is partaking of the true Body and Blood of Christ, for the Holy Mysteries, in their very essence, are true, life-giving, illuminating, and renewing for the soul and body of those who commune with faith and zeal, with active repentance.

The Lord wishes to draw us near to Himself by other countless gifts of His goodness as well. For example, He grants an endless variety and abundance of the fruits of the earth, with countless different flavors. And in these gifts too He shows His utmost condescension, loves us, cherishes us, like the kindest of fathers, wishing to draw all to Himself. Unbelievers do not wish to see, in all this, the wise workings of Divine providence. In their blindness they descend even to madness, deny the very existence of God, and assert that everything comes about through blind evolution (the teaching that everything that comes into being does so by itself, without the participation of any Creative power). But whoever has reason will not believe such senseless ravings. A believer looks upon everything through the lens of faith, which rests upon divine revelation. Here he will find a clear answer to every question that troubles him; here he can receive the surest instruction as to how he ought to live to please God and save his soul. From this wondrous source—the word of God—let us too draw instruction for a good Christian life and conduct; let us come to know the good and perfect will of God, and draw near to Him through repentance and works of virtue; let us strive for union with Him forever in the kingdom of heaven. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Amen.