His Beatitude: Self-interest and calculation cannot replace God's love
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC
On December 1, 2024, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Agapitus of the Kyiv Caves in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, as reported by the Synodal Information and Education Department of the UOC.
In his sermon following the Gospel reading, he explained the meaning of the parable of the foolish rich man and urged the faithful to strive for true spiritual wealth – the acquisition of the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Metropolitan Onuphry emphasized that the greatest wealth for a Christian is God.
"What does it mean to become rich in God? For some, wealth is money, gold, or jewels, but for others, it is God – they seek God, and He is their greatest treasure," said the Metropolitan, adding that the Kingdom of God is within a person if God reigns in their heart.
He noted that, according to the Holy Fathers, the purpose of human life is to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit and the virtue of humility. The Metropolitan explained that humility is submitting oneself to the will of God.
"The grace of the Holy Spirit cannot be obtained in any other way except through humility," he stressed.
Metropolitan Onuphry also highlighted the necessity of following God's laws, which, while they may seem inconvenient, are truly beneficial for people:
"Anything that contradicts God's Law cannot be beneficial. Only what God tells us is beneficial because God is love and desires only good for us." He pointed out that human laws are often created out of self-interest and calculation, but where there is calculation, there is no love – only bargaining.
According to him, God's laws, though they may appear simple, possess great spiritual power when a person begins to follow them.
As previously reported by the UOJ, on November 30, during the 23rd week after Pentecost, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry led the All-Night Vigil at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Read also
U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors
The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.
Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure
The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.
Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia
The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.
Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure
In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.
European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says
Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.
Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day
Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.