Homily by Father Deacon Ivan

Sunday before the Nativity: Heb. 11: 9-10, 17-23, 32-40 Mt. 1:1-25
30th Sunday after Pentecost: Col. 3:12-16 Lk.18:18-27

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

What a great privilege I have, to proclaim the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. For today we have two Gospel readings. One is for Sunday before the Nativity of Jesus Christ when we remember also Holy Fathers of our Church, and second one for 30th Sunday after Pentecost. What a great connection between them. In one we learn how to be rich and in second one about those who became rich.

  Who wants to be rich? See, I don't ask who wish to be rich, for it sounds hopeless, but who wants to be a rich person? My question is to those people who are ready to act right after they hear great answer on how to become a rich person?

  In one of today's Gospel readings a ruler comes to Jesus and asks: "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replies to him: “You know the commandments” But for the ruler it was not enough for he kept them since his youth. And Jesus then suggests to him next step: “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

  We have three steps to become a rich person. This does not mean to become multimillionaire for we cannot take anything with us when we die or in other words when we lay asleep in the Lord. For earthly riches are perishable where as heavenly treasure is not.

  But before you go and sell everything and distribute it to the poor in order to gain treasure in heaven, I have to warn you that this is second step. Without fulfilling the first step, The Ten Commandments we cannot gain any treasure in heaven.

  As you can see being rich or poor on Earth does not mean you are rich in Heaven. But what we do with our money, how we relate to God and to our neighbor. Our life on the Earth is like time, in the parable about talents, when the servants have been given talents to take care of while their lord is away.

  The third step is to follow Christ. To follow Christ is to live his pattern of life. That means that we should not only care for the salvation of ourselves but also for other creations of God, our family, relatives, friends, and other people surrounding us. We can do this only with love and forgiveness.

  Last Sunday we remembered the Holy Forefathers and today we remember the Holy Fathers of the Church. We have many examples who followed Christ, who gave up everything in order to show that they love God and its creation. Let me provide few concrete examples from New Testament.

  The Apostles – who left everything and followed Christ. They were not suppose to have an extra close or food when they went to proclaim the Good News. They were not ashamed of crucified and Risen Lord, they were not scared of any pressure or dangers even unto death, for they followed Christ, they gave up all their wealth, and they kept the Commandments.

  St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra – who is known for his charitable works.

  St. Amphilochiy of Pochaiv – a priest who protected Great Pochaiv Lavra from closure Soviet Union time. He healed the sick through his pure prayer.

  As we prepare for the feast of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ let us keep the commandments, help the poor and needy, and follow Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ!