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Excerpts from Sermons: "We came in this world to become similar to God"


Father Sergius Nezhbort

Every person is called for something, but it is not always something significant and great. Perhaps, we are not famous musicians or writers, not architects, but average simple people, who have a certain purpose - the purpose of our life. Let it be something simple – you can sweep with a wisp, wash plates or care for children, but what is important is that you should do it as good as if it was the main thing in your life, and give it all your power and inner resources. (After the Divine Liturgy on November 23, 2016)

***

There is a dichotomy in us, Christians. On the one hand, we live a normal everyday life, which does not differ from other people’s lives. And in this life we often face some human weaknesses and disadvantages. On the other hand, we have touched another life with a part of our soul body. And this life has beaten us. You know, once a modern poet said the words: “I am wounded with a light arrow, and no one can heal me”. Perhaps, our hearts are also wounded by the arrow of the God’s love.

***

If today we see our personal weaknesses or cannot find anything good in ourselves at all, then it is not so bad as it may seem. The main thing is that we should look forward, that we do not give up, but wait and hope for changes. The same is with the weather: it can be cloudy for one day, another day, for a week… In our region such weather can last even for several months. But we know that spring will finally come, so we can see the sun. The same point is applicable in our life – if we endure all the troubles and falls, if we do not turn from God, then the sun will shine in us as well. (After the Divine Liturgy on November 30, 2016)


Father Andrew Lemeshonok

The modern world is based on advertising. To make people pay attention to something, to thrill them, you need to find a sensation and something bright. But in a Christian life everything is quiet and peaceful. The more quiet a person is, the less attention a person demands, the humbler a person behaves, then the more grateful to God he is, the stronger the Holy Spirit supports him. The Holy Spirit is a Quiet Light. The Quiet Light of the God’s love.

Elder Ambrose of Optina said: know yourself, and that will be enough for you. We do not know ourselves, but assume that we know all the other. We want to know everything! Why? What for do we need to know everything? What for is this burden of knowledge? People are overloaded with information. Nothing new will happen, because everything has happened already. Christ has come to this world, and His love saved the humanity, defeated death. That is it! What else do we need? Which news? We just need to live with Christ and carry our personal cross till the very end. He that endureth to the end shall be saved (Matthew, 10:22). (After the Divine Liturgy on October 24, 2016)


Father George Glinsky

To help a person and to support him, at least by word, if we have no possibility to do more for him, is far more precious than any sacrifices and burntofferings. (After the evening service on October 24, 2016)



Father Andrew Malachovsky

We should remember that the meeting with God lies ahead, and this is why we should try to consume all the gifts we have to foster our spiritual development. Not to spend them for the earthly wealth – house, food, some personal plans, but to become rich in Christ. And this is always connected with the people, who need our help. With the sick, the homeless and the hungry, and even these ones who are imprisoned. God cares about these people and minds our care for them like the care for Him. (After the Divine Liturgy in the boarding home on December 9, 2016)

***

Our weaknesses are our burdens, which we have to carry. However, we certainly should amend. Just try and you will see that God will warm your soul and enlighten you. God will grant you everything you need today and everything for your salvation. (After the Divine Liturgy in the boarding home on November 4, 2016)


Father Alexander Pashkovsky

What is an “old person”? The one, who lives according to his passions. But we have to learn how to live with God. It means, we should live according to the commandments God has given us. And it is very important to understand that it is much easier to cope with our weaknesses, when we realize that, as the saints say, all our vices have grown on the soil of our own hearts. It is not just a misfortune, but the problem of our hearts and our souls. We have to defeat the passions which make us fall. There is no other way. We only can struggle and win with the God’s help. (After the Divine Liturgy on October 13, 2016)


Father Valery Zacharov

We are getting older, and God gives us new knowledge. We are growing, and God wants to lead us further, to move us from the kindergarten to the 1st floor in the school. We confront and do not want to obey, push Him off, but we need to change. We came in this world to become similar to God. And of course we have so much to do if we want to achieve this. (After the akathist in the boarding school on October 21, 2016)

***

God has no deadlocks. Only we, humans, have deadlocks because of our arrogance. God has the way out of any situation. The deadlocks we face here, on earth, perhaps could be the ways which lead right to God, if we do not complain and try to humble ourselves. (After the Divine Liturgy in the boarding school on October 21, 2016)

St. Elisabeth Convent,
January 17, 2017



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