The assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest, His Grace Timotei of Prahova, urged everyone to stay away from the state of formalism, malice and hypocrisy.”
“If we have something to say, we should always tell the person in question, not talk around the corner. Not indirectly, not hitting in some and in others, as we find that it happens more and more often,” His Grace underlined during his homily at the Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday, December 6.
In his sermon, the assistant bishop drew a parallel between the attitude of the leader of the synagogue and the attitude of the Saviour Jesus Christ, as recorded in the gospel passage about the healing of the infirm woman.
“The leader of the synagogue represents people with small souls, those who can only enjoy their own achievements. They will never notice and enjoy the accomplishments of others. ”
“We often see how small we are at heart, and this, the lack of joy for the joy of others, actually means a long way to our encounter with God.”
“If we do not change, we remain like the leader of the synagogue to which the Saviour said, You hypocrites! (Luke 13:15),” Bishop Timotei of Prahova said.
“The day of rest never prevents us from doing good to the sick, the lonely, those whom no one loves anymore,” the hierarch added.
The assistant bishop also said that the Saviour’s attitude toward the infirm woman corresponds to the Lord’s attitude “toward all who ask for His mercy.”
“They receive the rich blessings of God in the Church which He has established and governs.”
The assistant bishop to the Archdiocese of Bucharest called the infirm woman a “model for us.”
“How many of the healthy people, how many of the young or even the elderly, without suffering, do not look for excuses to stay at home on a holiday?”
Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Mircea Florescu
Thank you for reading Basilica.ro!
Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaNews & @BasilicaPhotos
