Homily by Fr. Stefan Sapun on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

In his homily on the passage from the Gospel of Matthew, which our Church presents on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, St. John Chrysostom writes:

‘And then He Himself, placing His hand, says, “According to your faith let it be to you.”’ He does this to strengthen their faith and to show that they themselves also took part in their healing, and to testify that there were no flatteries in their words. He did not say, ‘Let your eyes be opened,’ but He says, ‘According to your faith let it be to you.’ He says the same to many others who came to Him, in order to manifest their heartfelt faith before the healing of physical ailments, and to make those who were healed more experienced, and to awaken greater zeal for goodness in others.’

Our whole life is filled with various requests: we are always asking for something or wishing for it, perhaps not aloud but in our hearts or thoughts. Similarly, the two blind men in today’s Gospel also made requests and received what they desired. However, to receive the gift of healing, they followed Christ, called out to Him, and had faith. These three things are necessary for every Christian who wishes to feel God’s presence in their life.

Following Christ can be likened to going to church. Calling out to Christ can be compared to prayer and active participation in the life of the Church and the parish. Having faith can be described as doing everything out of love for the Lord and not for our own material or other desires.

Therefore, let us remember that just as we ask something of the Lord in our lives, so does the Lord ask something of us. And when we pour out our requests to God, it is essential to pay attention to whether we do it with faith or not. The choice is ours.

See also

November 2 Homily by Fr. Stefan Sapun on the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost October 9 Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God in Brisbane October 5 Bishop Mykola visited the Senior Citizens Club in Brisbane