neuroBIBLISTICS

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

Reverend Fathers, dear brothers and sisters, Christ is Risen! These wonderful words that make difference in the world remind us of the power of God. As we hear in the liturgical song, our God is Holy, Mighty, and Immortal. Our God is Immortal, everlasting – One who is always. Our God is Mighty – everything is possible to him. And He is Holy, whatever he does, he does it for the benefit of others. The words Christ is Risen confirm the Holiness, Might, and Immortality of Our God.  These words are the words of Sacrificial Love.

Today’s epistle and Gospel readings teach us about God’s might which is revealed in the works of love, mercy, and grace.

The Gospel reading teaches us about the healing in Jerusalem. Jesus comes to the pool near the Sheep Gate, named Bethesda. In the Hebrew and Aramaic languages, its name means “the house of hesed (חֶסֶד)”. Hesed (חֶסֶד) is not only mercy, not only grace, not only love. Hesed (חֶסֶד) is in short sacrificial love. The things we do for others, not wanting anything in return. Bethesda is the house of sacrificial love, the Temple of Sacrificial love for others.

Once in a while angel was stirring up the water, and whoever was first to enter it, got the healing. This man was sick for 38 years and he had no one to help him to the pool. But Christ, our God of Sacrificial Love heals him with the command: “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” (Jn) And the healed man “took up his bed and walked” (Jn). Multitudes saw this miracle, and some were neglected because it was Saturday. 

The Epistle reading speaks about Peter healing Aeneas and Tabitha. Peter heals them with God’s might, saying: “Jesus Christ heals you”. This is an example of how sacrificial love is to be shared without ceasing. Care for others is remembering them in prayers and our acts, so God can intervene and reveal himself through us. Sacrificial Love is letting God reveal himself in our thoughts, prayers, and acts. Sacrificial Love is God’s acting. Thus, this love does not need anything in return.

Saint Mardarije – lived the Gospel so he can present himself to Christ. Our Lord made his body the Bethesda / the Temple of Sacrificial Love. God gave us his relics to bring our sick and needy to him. St. Mardarije’s relics invite us to be healed, but also remind us to work the works of sacrificial love.

Let us bring our sick and needy to God and St. Mardarije’s relics.

Let us work the works of חֶסֶד – sacrificial love for others.

Let us give thanks to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Hristos Voskrese! Christ is Risen! Hristos Voskrese!