Sermon Tone Analysis

Our Venerable Fathers Paul of Thebes and John the Hut-dweller.

Repose of the Blessed Bishop-Martyr Tit Liviu Chinczu

Title

Clean Up Your Trust Not Your Act

Outline

We continually come across those who think that they need to clean up their act or change themselves to find salvation

It may be that they think that conquering vices or committing to church is necessary

It may be that they think that sufficient penance is necessary, and with the Hermit Fathers this could be decades of solitary extreme asceticism

But the truth is that Jesus rescues those who know they are sinners and then gives them the grace they need to become holy.

Often, those who think that they are already holy enough cannot trust Jesus because they are blind to their own need.

Paul teaches “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

He then goes on top point out that he was the worst of sinners - a violent persecutor of the Christian community.

But, “I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”

Jesus picked him for mercy as an encouragement to others who might feel that they were too far gone.

Our Gospel puts this into narrative

Jesus has withdrawn from Herod’s area and is in pagan territory when a woman designated a “Canaanite,” unfit for Israel, calls for help as if she were Israelite: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”

Although she is persistent, Jesus ignores her as outside his mission: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

When she still persists, he checks if she is those Tyrians who traded luxury goods to Herod for foodstuffs: “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

Her response indicates she is humbly seeking mercy, not rights: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

Jesus responds to the trusting call for mercy: “O woman, great is your faith!

Let it be done for you as you desire.”

What are our lessons?

It is humility, trust, and a call for mercy that receives responses from God.

Penance is a response to mercy; it does not merit mercy.

The willingness to repent is needed if we know our sins, but often God shows us our sins when he gives us his mercy.

God’s purposes in our rescue are often far different than our intentions.

He puts us in a universal context.

“To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.”

Readings

EPISTLE

(31st Sunday, Slavic)

1 Timothy 1:15–17

15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.

And I am the foremost of sinners; 16 but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL

Option A

(17th Sunday, Greek)

Matthew 15:21–28

21  And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”

23 But he did not answer her a word.

And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.” 24  He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

25  But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”

26 And he answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

28  Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith!

Let it be done for you as you desire.”

And her daughter was healed instantly.

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (1-15-2023: Thirty-Second Sunday after Pentecost)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2023 | OCTOECHOS

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Matins Gospel John 21:1–14

Epistle 1 Timothy 4:9–15 (32nd Sunday, Greek) or 1 Timothy 1:15–17 (31st Sunday, Slavic)

Gospel Matthew 15:21–28 (17th Sunday, Greek) or Luke 19:1–10 (32nd Sunday, Slavic)