CHRIST IS RISEN!
REALLY LOVELY!
SUNDAY MESSAGE (audio message)
BY HIS EMINENCE THE METROPOLITAN
KYTHIRA & ANTIKYTHIRA SERAPHIM
SUNDAY OF THOMAS (23-4-2023)
GRAPTON TH. SERMON ON SUNDAY OF THOMAS
«When the Savior entered in private where his disciples were assembled and went out again in the same way, only Thomas was absent. This too was a work of divine economy, that the disciple's absence might be a procurator of greater safety and assurance.», St. John Chrysostom teaches us, and continues: «For if Thomas were present, he would not doubt. And if he did not doubt, he would not ask to be dealt with. If he did not ask, he would not grope. And if he did not grope, he would not proclaim Christ as Lord and God. If he had not called him Lord and God, we would not have been taught to praise him in this way. So that even in his absence Thomas led us (guided) to the truth, and by his presence afterwards he confirmed us further in the faith.».
This was Thomas' wish. To see with his eyes the wounds that the wicked opened in the holy hands of our Redeemer, to put his finger in the pits of the nails. - If I don't see, I won't believe. St. John will again encourage Thomas through the wonderful discourse he dedicates to this Sunday. «Be thou steadfast in thy desire, keep thy zeal, that my soul may be assured by thy sight. Ask persistently for what he has said: «seek and find». Do not cease to search sincerely, if you do not find the treasure you seek. Stay, O Thoma, steadfast in this thy desire, keep thy zeal, that thou mayest see that my soul may be assured. Ask persistently for what he hath said: «Seek and ye shall find.» Cease not to search earnestly, if thou find not the treasure thou seekest. Do not cease to knock at the door of unquestionable knowledge, until he who has said it opens it for you: «knock, and it shall be opened unto you.». I love your philanthropy, because it breaks down all strife. I'm glad to hear you often say: «Except I see in his halls the type of all, I will not believe.» For in that thou believest, I learn to believe.».
«My Lord and my God.». I broke out with Thomas and St. Chrysorremon: «I no longer consider. I believe, I don't philosophize. I believe, I do not weigh. I believe, I do not wonder. I believe in my eyes and my hands. What I have seen has taught me not to philosophize. I learned from what I have defied to worship and not to compare by human standards. I know one Lord and one God only, Christ the Saviour, O glory and state for ever and ever. Amen.».
Fr. Pavlos Kalliikas
Holy Metropolis of Kythira & Antikythira
