SUNDAY MESSAGE (audio message)
BY HIS EMINENCE THE METROPOLITAN
KYTHIRA & ANTIKYTHIRA SERAPHIM
SUNDAY OF LUKE XII
(19-01-2025)
WRITTEN DIVINE PROCLAMATION
«As the impure»
As Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, He met ten lepers, who from a distance asked for His mercy. He sent them to the priests, and on their way they were healed. However, only one of them, a Samaritan, returns to glorify God and express his gratitude.
Although much could be said about this hagiographic passage, we will limit ourselves to examining in depth and highlighting the initial attitude of these lepers toward the God-man.
The Evangelist Luke notes that when the lepers encountered Jesus Christ, they stood at a distance from him, because every leper was considered unclean and was not allowed to approach anyone. They were treated as unclean, and they considered themselves unclean as well. This is also evident from the humble manner in which they addressed Christ: «Jesus, our Master, have mercy on us», but also because of the physical distance they maintained. The lepers recognized their impurity and stood far away from Christ. Trapped in their physical impurity, and also socially excluded by the law, they did not dare to approach him. They stood at a distance, recognizing His holiness and their own unworthiness. With voices full of supplication and hope, they did not ask boldly, but pleaded reverently.
Their attitude reminds us that a true relationship with God is not based on demands, but on a broken heart, on the humble acknowledgment of our need for divine intervention and His saving grace. As long as we, too, are aware of our spiritual leprosy, we will be filled with a spirit of humility so that we may draw near to Christ through prayer. Who are we to approach Him, who is utterly pure? And yet He desires not only that we draw near to Him, but also that we be united with Him—energetically, sacramentally, and through prayer.
The attitude of the lepers toward Christ serves as a model of the proper prayerful attitude, which we, too, are called to imitate. It is an exceptional example of humility, faith, and an inner awareness of human weakness and sinfulness. Their prayerful attitude before Christ, their approach to God with the awareness of a condemned and sinful person, free from pride and selfishness, reflects the reverence that every believer should have.
Reverence, then, is what should characterize our attitude in prayer. A reverent attitude is one that conveys a sense of the fear of God, of God’s presence, and of God’s love. As Abba Pamvo used to say: «We must offer our prayers to God with fear of God and trembling, with tears and sighs, in a reverent, contrite, measured, and humble voice.».
May the Lord fill our hearts with humility and reverence, so that we may approach Him with sincere repentance and faith, acknowledging our need for His Divine Grace. May He always bless us and guide us on the path of salvation and spiritual resurrection. Amen.
Deacon Father Ierotheos Kritikos
