21st Sunday after Pentecost.

Prophet Joel

Translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila (1238)

Epistle: Gal. 2:16-20; Gospel: Lk. 8:5-15

Luke 8:5-15 (English Standard Version)

5(A) "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up,(B) it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7And some fell among(C) thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded(D) a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, (E) "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

The Purpose of the Parables

 9And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10he said, (F) "To you it has been given to know(G) the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so(H) that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' 11(I) Now the parable is this: The seed is(J) the word of God. 12The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not(K) believe and be saved. 13And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it(L) with joy. But these have no root; they(M) believe for a while, and in time of testing(N) fall away. 14And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but(O) as they go on their way they are choked by the(P) cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and(Q) bear fruit(R) with patience.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Glory to Jesus Christ!

Let us be attentive!

Every time during Divine Liturgy we hear this call to be attentive to the Word of God. Let us be attentive is said before the prokimenon, Epistle and Gospel of the day. In other words it is said every time before any scriptural reading from Old or New Testament. It is also said during Liturgy of the faithful before Holy Communion.

As we can see these words being said by priest or deacon bring our attention to main points of the Liturgy. Today I will concentrate on first part of the Divine Liturgy, on Liturgy of the Word.

We heard today parable of  the sower  in Gospel reading and how different areas of the field, soil, accepted the seed. “The seed is the Word of God”. Humanity is the field, soil. “Along the path” are those who completely refuse, reject the Word of God. Rock is unbelieving hardened heart. Thorns are “cares and riches and pleasures of life. Good soil “are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.”

So when we hear “Let us be attentive” it means to concentrate on this important message of God. We are to stop thinking about everything else but listen attentively to the Word of God. But only to listen to the Word of  God is not enough. When we leave the church and go home we should believe in what was proclaimed, and live by it. As we can see from the parable not every seed gives its fruit. Some people try to use their reasoning gift without faith, some have faith and reasoning gift but pleasures and wealth change their way, some have faith and reasoning gift with “honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” 

In order for our soil to be soft and productive we should not rely only on our knowledge, reasoning, but to hope on God, pray to Him for help, thank for what He already have done for us, for human kind. There should be a balance between our will and will of God. Our will should freely follow God's Will. As in Jesus Christ human will freely follows His Divine Will. This is perfect relationship.

When we rely too much on our knowledge we turn into gods. We turn into animals when we neglect the Word of God.

But also in order to receive this seed, the Word of God, we should prepare at home day before Divine Liturgy or at least evening before by reading religious book, Bible (Gospel reading and Epistle reading for that day); attend Vespers, Matins; withhold ourselves from watching scary movie or any other show, that will stick in our mind next day. Our Sunday morning should be peaceful and calm. As we prepare for Holy Communion by prayer and fasting, we should also prepare ourselves for the Word of God. For it is not enough only to be present but to participate with our whole being: our mind, thoughts and body. All memories or future planing should be left at home. Without preparation it is very hard to participate fully in a liturgy, to be attentive.

We should always  progress in our life as well as in spiritual life. Every time after we have done some sin or mistake we go and repent. Then next time when we have opportunity to do the same sin or mistake we struggle to correct it. It is not healthy to give up and say “well this is what I do and I cannot help it”. This is why we go to church for repentance not only to list all our sins but also to promise to correct them and if we don't know how then we ask a priest for advice.

On Sunday our first priority is the Church. If we keep this priority for the Church then our life and schedule will adjust to it.

Let us learn from today's Gospel reading and prepare ourselves for the Word of God, for Holy Communion(Eucharist), and for the Second coming of Christ.

Let us be attentive to the Word of God so that we may “bear fruit with patience”.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Amen.

[Homily offered by our deacon, Fr. Ivan Synevskyy].