Kiev, February 22, 2022
Photo: news.church.ua
When a man sins, he drinks sweet poison, but when he repents, he takes bitter medicine, says the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Kiev Caves Lavra on Sunday, when the Gospel of the Prodigal Son was read. In his homily, he called on all those who have departed from God to return to their Father’s house, reports the Information-Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
And as His Beatitude noted, the parable shows us the benefits that fasting bring a man.
“Fasting makes a man look at himself. When we live in contentment, satiety, we usually don’t look at ourselves: we’re happy with everything, we feel good, although the soul suffers. When a man begins to limit himself, then he has a need to sort himself out and find a way out of the predicament he’s in. Fasting led the Prodigal Son to remember his Father’s house and return, but with humility,” the Ukrainian primate explained.
And, according to Met. Onuphry, everyone is a prodigal son at some point in his life. Sin distances us from God and empties our souls, but when we start fasting, we start to feel better, and we realize that our sin has separated us from God.
“After all, sin is a disease that always humiliates and torments a Man. Man isn’t created for suffering, but for joy.”
But it’s not enough to analyze our lives—we also must have the determination to return, as had the Prodigal Son, His Beatitude emphasized. “We all understand the cause of our disasters, but we don’t have the courage. We want to become saints right away, but that doesn’t happen,” he said.
But as soon as a man steps out on the spiritual path, God is already waiting for him and taking His own step forward.
“The Lord gives man grace, which comforts him in suffering and difficulties. If we do good, repent, and return to God, then the Lord gives us this consolation and strengthens us. When a man sins, he drinks poison, which is sweet at first, but then strikes. And when a man repents, he takes medicine, which is bitter, but brings the pleasure of healing,” His Beatitude exhorted.
In conclusion, Met. Onuphry encouraged all to use the coming Fast wisely, to repent, courageously get up, and take small steps back to God.
Follow OrthoChristian on Facebook, Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
