“The Triodion period is a time of invitation and reflection, a call to look within ourselves and conduct a kind of spiritual technical inspection. All the services performed during this period serve as a sort of spiritual MRI, showing us where we stand in our effort toward the Kingdom of God,” said Bishop Ignatie of Huși on Sunday at the “Dormition of the Mother of God” Monastery in Cătrinari, Suceava County.
His Grace emphasized the way we should relate to our neighbour.
“On the Sunday of the Last Judgment, a truth is revealed to us—one that, unfortunately, we no longer reflect upon. Even worse, we have lost the awareness that in the person next to us is Christ Himself—especially in those who are needy, hungry, thirsty, naked, unclothed, sick, or imprisoned.”
“If we witness a deficit of love in our society, it is because we no longer have the refined perception to see the image of Christ in our neighbour.”
“Those who have even a small measure of faith know how to behave in the presence of God. We recognize this best when we come to church. We adopt a reverent attitude when we try to pray; we do not talk because noise does not ascend to heaven—only our spiritual state, our holy thoughts, and our desire to be in communion with God,” the bishop explained.
Love
His Grace then explained that drawing closer to those around us happens by recognizing the image of Jesus Christ in them.
“Observe how the Divine Liturgy, along with all the services and our spiritual efforts, facilitate our ability to know Christ. By knowing Him this way, we can recognize Him in the person next to us.”
“If we do not partake of His Body and Blood, we cannot recognize Him in the poor, the hungry, the imprisoned, the lonely. That is a lie. If we are honest with ourselves and conduct a small spiritual evaluation, we realize that we often live as strangers to one another.”
“When we reach this depth of seeing in our neighbour the icon of Christ, the content and quality of our relationships will fundamentally change. They will be marked by much love, understanding, and great patience—things for which we will be held accountable at the Last Judgment,” His Grace concluded.
Photo: Huși Diocese
