His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel participated in the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at the “Holy Mary” Monastery in Urlați, Prahova County. In his homily, the patriarch emphasised that the goal of faith is to attain eternal life.
His Beatitude outlined five key teachings from the day’s Gospel reading.
“First, the risen Lord Jesus Christ appeared to His disciples, entering through closed doors, stood in their midst, and said: ‘Peace be with you,’ showing them His hands and side to confirm the truth of His resurrection. Second, the risen Christ sent the disciples into the world to bear witness to Him, saying: ‘As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’”
The third teaching refers to the institution of the Sacrament of Confession. “The risen Lord Jesus Christ granted His disciples the grace and power to forgive sins, saying: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain them, they are retained.’”
“The fourth teaching concerns the Apostle Thomas, who was not present at Christ’s first appearance to the disciples and did not believe their testimony. Eight days later, Jesus appeared again and convinced Thomas of His resurrection, saying: ‘Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’”
The fifth teaching involves the words: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. “The Risen Christ blesses those who believe without seeing because those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and has risen from the dead will have life in His name,” Patriarch Daniel explained.
Spiritual Knowledge
The Patriarch further emphasised that the Gospel reveals another form of knowledge—spiritual knowledge—distinct from sensory knowledge.
“Faith is a different way of knowing than through the senses or touch. It is spiritual knowledge that goes beyond physical perception.”
“Those who believe in Jesus Christ through the faith preached by the Apostles are greatly blessed to believe in His resurrection. That is why today’s Gospel says: ‘These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in His name.’”
“The purpose of faith in the Crucified and Risen Jesus is to gain eternal life. So when we say we believe in the Risen Jesus Christ, we must also mean that we wish to live eternally in His love, in the light and joy of the Holy Trinity.”
Foretaste of Heavenly Gifts
The Patriarch cited Saint Paul, who wrote in Hebrews 11:1: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
“Faith is a foretaste of the heavenly gifts promised by God and a spiritual vision of holy realities not visible to the physical eyes. It is a knowledge of heavenly and eternal realities.”
“The same Apostle Paul tells us that all visible things are temporary, while the unseen—those of heaven—are eternal. Thus, by faith, we already taste the joy and happiness God promises us in His Kingdom.”
“Although we do not see Christ with our physical eyes, through faith, we feel His presence in the Church and in our lives when we pray. Therefore, when our relationship with the Lord intensifies through faith, prayer, and good deeds, Christ’s presence brings great and glorious joy to our hearts.”
“Faith is a gift from God. This gift must be cultivated through prayer, living according to God’s will, and good deeds of charity. For Christ, the Crucified and Risen One communicates His love into our hearts during our prayers through the grace of the Holy Spirit. That is why those who pray often possess merciful love, joy, and peace, because they have received these gifts from Christ Himself,” Patriarch Daniel concluded.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene
