“Prayer united with fasting is necessary, living and powerful, liberating from passions, unclean spirits, illness and weakness,” Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said on Sunday.
In his homily delivered at the historic Chapel of the Holy Great Martyr George within the Patriarchal Residence in Bucharest, Patriarch Daniel highlighted the contrast between the suffering of the child and his father’s weak faith, as recounted in the Gospel according to Saint Mark (9:19).
Even so, the Saviour did not withdraw His compassion from the suffering man.
“Understanding how grievous the child’s suffering was, our Lord Jesus Christ said to those present: ‘Bring him to Me’ (Mark 9:19). Thus, even when He rebuked those weak in faith, Jesus remained in a state of love towards those who were suffering.”
“In other words, His rebuke did not diminish His mercy towards the suffering person,” His Beatitude explained.
A Father’s Humility Brings Healing to His Child
The Patriarch of Romania noted that, although reproved for his lack of faith, the child’s father did not excuse himself but acknowledged his fault with tears.
“We see in the words of the sorrowful father two complementary spiritual attitudes. First, his tears reveal repentance, because his faith was weak or mixed with doubt, while the words ‘I believe, Lord’ express his desire to strengthen his faith.”
“Yet the words ‘Help my unbelief’ confirm once more his repentance united with humility. The father did not say ‘help my weak faith’, but, in humility, he called his little faith unbelief,” Patriarch Daniel said.
Christ’s Merciful and Healing Love
Through the child’s healing, Christ reveals His mercy to the child and to the father who repented, acknowledging his weak faith.
“Our Lord Jesus Christ shows mercy both to the father, who repents by acknowledging his weak faith, and to the child, whom He frees from the mute and deaf spirit that tormented him. Thus, all those present witnessed the merciful and healing love of the Lord Jesus Christ. He reveals to His disciples the knowledge of freeing people from the power of evil spirits,” the Patriarch said.
The Saviour also taught His disciples—and us—how powerful prayer united with fasting is.
“Thus, the Lord Jesus teaches His disciples and us how necessary, living and powerful prayer united with fasting is, liberating from passions, unclean spirits, illness, and weakness.”
“In this sense, the Church has appointed this passage from the Gospel according to Saint Mark to be read during Great Lent, as this is especially a time of fervent prayer and intense fasting, in order to strengthen Christians in faith and to struggle against sin, selfish passions, and evil spirits,” the Patriarch added.
Saint John Climacus, Teacher of Repentance
Patriarch Daniel further explained why Saint John Climacus is commemorated on this Sunday.
“Prayer, fasting and repentance, together with all their prostrations, tears and spiritual struggles, as described in The Ladder of Saint John, aim at the purification of the human person from passions and growth in virtues, in humble love for God and for others. These virtues are gathered in the soul like flowers of light, to be offered to our Lord Jesus Christ in the radiance of the Feast of Holy Pascha.”
“Saint John Climacus, teacher of prayer and repentance, is not only praised in the hymns of this Sunday, but is also invoked to pray for us; thus, he is not merely a spiritual model or icon, but also an intercessor for us,” Patriarch Daniel said.
Photo: Lumina Newspaper
Source: basilica.ro