Ukrainian Catholic ChurchAustralia, New Zealand and Oceania
Homily by Fr. Taras Gorpynyak on the Third Sunday after Pentecost
June 25, 2023
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). These are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ that we hear in today’s Gospel. Our Heavenly Father knows what we need for our sustenance, and we must not forget that.
For our bodies are taken from the earth, and therefore, everything necessary for the body can only be obtained through work on earth. However, our bodies also house our souls, which have their own needs. And since the soul is destined for heaven, it should strive to attain that heaven. Thus, while supporting the body, we are attached to the earth, but in striving for the soul, we are attached to heaven.
Now, let us ask ourselves, what is more important: the body and the earth, or the soul and heaven? The answer is clear: the soul and heaven are more important than the body and the earth. Therefore, we should be more concerned with the well-being of our souls. Unfortunately, people have distorted this order and exert all their efforts to care for their bodies, while neglecting the soul as if they do not possess one and never did. This is a grave mistake, recognized by any reasonable person. Our Lord warns us about this mistake in His words from today’s Gospel.
So, what does our Savior tell us in the Gospel? “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22–23). This means that just as the eye is to the body, so is the mind to the soul. Whoever has a pure and healthy eye sees every object clearly, knows where to place their hand, where to step, what to do, and where to go. But one whose eye is impure or closed cannot take a single step confidently and safely.
Likewise, when a person’s mind is pure and healthy, it illuminates the soul and guides it along the path of righteousness towards God and heaven. Conversely, when the mind is clouded and dimmed, it blinds the soul and leads it to eternal destruction.
Dear ones in Christ! Let us firmly believe in God’s providence, for in His providence rests all our hope, strength, wisdom, life, and happiness! Amen.
