Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Congratulations with the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, with the day of the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, as well as with the completion of the second week of Great Lent!

In today’s Gospel reading we heard the wonderful narrative about how Christ came to the town of Capernaum and how the local citizens, both the simple working people and the scholarly Pharisees, came to the home where the Lord was staying to hear His word. Such a multitude of people were gathered that it was impossible for all to enter, and some were forced to stand outside and listen through the door. At this moment, when it was no longer possible to squeeze into the home, four people brought a man sick of the palsy (that is, paralyzed) so that the Saviour could heal him. Seeing that it was impossible to enter, those four men did not give up, did not lose heart, but instead took matters into their own hands so as to complete their mission and bring the ailing one to the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. They climbed up onto the roof, somehow dragged up the sick man, took apart the roof and then lowered their paralyzed companion through the opening. Because of this labour, the Lord did not ignore the unfortunate sick man, but granted him so much more than anyone could have imagined, for He gave him not only physical, but also spiritual health, through the forgiveness of sins.

Holy Scripture can be explained in many different ways. It can be explained historically or, alternatively, theologically, that is, we can look for confirmation of Christian teachings about God or the human and divine natures of Christ. We can also search for ethical teachings, directions for how to live in regard to our neighbour. At the same time, much can also be understood figuratively, as spiritual lessons that are applicable to the life of each believer.

Today let’s consider the fact that we sometimes find ourselves in a state of spiritual paralysis. We wish to perform some kindness or a good deed, but we feel helpless. At other times, we understand perfectly that we shouldn’t do this or that, but again, it is as if we have no willpower to fight these sinful inclinations. At such moments we need God’s help. To find this help, we need people who can lead us to the Saviour, just as many years ago the four friends brought the one sick with the palsy to the Lord. These four friends we can understand as the four Evangelists and their divine books. Through the reading of the Holy Scriptures and especially the Gospels, we are lifted up from the ground onto the roof top, that is, the reading of the Gospels separates us from our earthly desires and brings us closer to heaven. It inspires us to act correctly and not fall into sin. When the Evangelists have lifted us up from the earth, we are able to enter into the house, despite all that is blocking our entry, where our Saviour Jesus Christ is located. This means that we return to the bosom of the Church, where we can confess our sins, receive absolution from the Lord, and then with ease fulfill His command to pick up our bed and return to our home, that is, receive spiritual strength to battle with our passions and to live according to God’s commandments.

In such a way, today’s Gospel narrative is like an image of the process of repentance or of that journey that each of us must make throughout the period of Lent. Through the prayers of the holy Evangelists, as well as of today’s saint, the holy hierarch Gregory, may our Lord help us in this task.

priest Alexis