Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Today, on the first Sunday after Pentecost we celebrate the memory of all Saints who struggled on earth from the beginning till our times: prophets, apostles, martyrs and all righteous, who dwell in the Kingdom of heaven.
Celebrating the memory of all the saints we glorify them not as historic figures, who lived many years ago. The saints are living in God, Who is everywhere present and knows everything. In God the saints are close to us, they hear when we call upon them; they know our needs and are always ready to help. The saints are members of the body of the Church, of which Jesus Christ is the head, and to which we belong also.
Now, while we are still in this temporal life, we are separated from them, but we hope to join them in the Kingdom of Heaven. We pray for those who passed away that the Lord give them rest with all the saints. Thus, in this world the Church is a waiting room of the Heavenly Kingdom, and those who pass away from here reach there.
Among the saints we find people of different social status, age, and abilities. They were statesmen and beggars, philosophers, and illiterates. The Saints fulfilled in their life the words of the Lord: “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” and they became citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom. The saints prove that in every place, in all circumstances, it is possible to find favour before God if one follows His commandments and bears one’s cross.
The saints, whom we now glorify, were often simple people, poor, uneducated, unimportant in the eyes of those around them, who couldn’t recognize their spiritual treasure. Though many centuries passed since they lived on earth, but their names are not forgotten, while no one remembers the names of their rich and famous contemporaries. The saints prove that the only true honour and glory is to be a servant of Christ. Their glorification in the Church is only a reflection of their eternal glory in the Heavens.
Christianity is not an abstract philosophy, but a new life. The Apostles preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ and offered themselves as a living image of life in Christ.
“Brethren, I want you to follow my example and learn from others who closely follow the example we set for you” (Philip. 3).
“Wherefore, I urge you, be ye imitators of me as I also am of Christ” (1Cor. 4).
The saints incarnated the Gospel of Christ in their life, and became the living icons of Jesus Christ and the living vessels of the Holy Spirit.
In all ages, in all countries there were saints shining like stars in darkness and lighting up the way to the Kingdom of Heaven for every generation in all times. We know that even in relatively recent times some saints lived on earth, but do they exist now? The lack of holiness in the world is the sign of the last times even more important, than the increase of vices and unbelief, because without living examples of holiness Christianity turns into name only, it becomes “the salt which has lost its flavour”.
In the parable of talents, the Lord gave silver to His servants, “to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability.” The saints have received from God exceptional gifts of grace which they multiplied exceedingly. Not all are capable to reach holiness, but all are able to bring fruits in the vineyard of Christ, the Church. We cannot imitate the Saints in their supernatural struggles, but we can strive to follow them on their way of prayer and repentance.
The source of spiritual power, which we admire in the saints, is in the Church. They lived in the Church and hence they drew the divine grace for their spiritual ascent. We are fellow citizens with the saints and communicants of the same grace.
Let it not be that we receive it in vain.
Amen.
