His Beatitude Onuphry: Christ's word brings spiritual and physical benefit
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: screenshot from YouTube video.
On the feast of the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kyiv Caves, who repose in the Near Caves, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry spoke about the spiritual and physical benefit of Christ's word. The UOC Primate delivered a sermon during the service at the Church of St. Agapitus of the Caves at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
His Beatitude recalled the Gospel account of the miraculous catch of fish. After a fruitless night of fishing, Peter, at the Savior's word, cast his nets again and caught so many fish that two boats were filled with them. "Christ's word brings a person benefit, both spiritual and physical," the Primate stressed. According to him, if people lived by Christ's commandments, they would have everything necessary for earthly life.
Metropolitan Onufriy explained that Peter’s words, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man," stemmed from humility: having witnessed the miracle, Peter recognized himself as unworthy of such grace. By contrast, the inhabitants of the region of the Gergesenes asked the Savior to leave out of fear of losing their possessions. The Primate emphasized that a person who humbly accepts God’s gifts receives even greater blessings from the Lord.
His Beatitude named the venerable Fathers of the Kyiv Caves as an example of obedience to Christ. They abandoned worldly glory and wealth, accepted monastic obedience and attained holiness by fulfilling God's commandments. In conclusion, the Primate urged the faithful to listen more attentively to the Gospel and the voice of conscience, in order to live their earthly life worthily and obtain eternal salvation.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UOC Primate spoke about the special intercession of the Mother of God for the human race and called for prayer for peace and salvation.
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