neuroBIBLISTICS

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

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and Sisters, the second Sunday of the preparation for the Great Lent is dedicated to listening to the story of the Merciful Father and his two sons. In a nutshell, this parable communicates one of the greatest principles: Our nature is spiritual and relational, even though we have material bodies. Church delegated proper readings to help us realize and develop our spiritual and material potentials.

Today’s Epistle reading teaches us: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful” (1 Corinthians 6:12). In other words, it is possible to get distracted with the things not leading to Salvation. Apostle Paul proceeds: “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). The Church is leading us to the Kingdom of Heaven.  Church is concerned with our use of time, and with our ability to focus. The Holy Scriptures and the Sacred Tradition – the re-lived Scriptures, urge us to focus on developing our potential to be God-like. 

So, what is helpful among all the things? It is helpful to know that we are created for the eternal life with God. It is helpful to know the need to be dominated by the Holy Spirit and not with earthly things. “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful” (1 Corinthians 6:12).  Discern what is good for Salvation and act it out. Discern what blocks Salvation and lay it aside. Discernment is development of our eternal potential. Discernment is furthering of our life. Good discernment is life eternal.

Today’s Gospel portion is the story of discernments. “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them” (Luke 15:11-12). The younger went on, took a journey and lived recklessly, spending the inheritance. Soon he ended wandering with the pigs and being in need. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!” (Luke 15:17). So, he decided to come back home. However, when he was still far, “his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). Son repented: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Luke 15:), but father clothed him in the best robe, and gave him ring and shoes. 

This story of the homecoming is recognition that our identity is spiritual. Nothing material could satisfy an internal and an eternal urge to belong to God. This is imprint of the Image and Likeness of God. Imprint of Christ himself. So, let us find our way home. Our home is being in the presence of God. Being with God. And God too is in search for us, he is longing, anticipating and expecting us to come back. He is expecting from us to realize our spiritual need and potential, and to act it out. Our God, Our Merciful Father will cloth us with the robe and the signet, so the power of Divine imprint in us will sprout.

The St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville is our spiritual home. The Merciful Father is here and greets us prodigals. St. Mardarije re-lived the Scriptures so he can too, greet his sons and daughters back home. This home is dedicated to St. Sava, who reconciled his two brothers with the relics of their father, St. Simeon. Good discernment builds relationships. It is on us to make good discernments and to come to ourselves, to recognize that in fact, we are spiritual beings with spiritual needs. Also, as St. Sava rejoiced when he reconciled his brothers, we too have to be joyful when our brothers reconcile themselves with God. God rejoices every time a soul makes homecoming and works toward its potential. God rejoices when the relationship is re-established. 

Let us make good discernments.

Let us come home, welcome back, and rejoice in the homecomings. 

Let us act out the potential to be God-like, and give thanks to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!