His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church explained, in the sermon delivered on 3 February 2013 in the chapel of Saint Gregory the Enlightener of the Patriarchal Residence, the significance of the Evangelical Pericope of the 32nd Sunday after the Pentecost from Saint Evangelist Luke, chapter 19:1-110, presenting the meeting of Christ, our Saviour, with tax collector Zacchaeus and his conversion.
Whoever looks for God will be found by God and will enjoy the meeting with God
The Patriarch of Romania spoke about the saving work of the Son of God: “Today’s Gospel shows us first of all that whoever looks for God will be looked for by God and whoever looks for God will be found by God and enjoy the meeting with God. We also see how big the power of repentance is, namely Zacchaeus turns from a greedy, avaricious man into a merciful man. This radical change shows that God’s mercy and kindness passed over the darkness of wickedness and of the greed passion that were dominating Zacchaeus”, His Beatitude explained, as Trinitas Radio station informs.
The repentance of tax collector Zacchaeus is not only a declarative repentance, but an effective one
The Primate of the Romanian Orthodox Church has also emphasised what exactly changed Zacchaeus: “It was not the punishment, the reproving, but the undeserved kindness and honour that Christ showed the tax collector Zacchaeus that made him take the firm decision to improve his life. The repentance of tax collector Zacchaeus is not declarative but effective. It is not a new mood, but followed right away by the repentance deeds, namely where he had spoiled his relations with the people he tries to repair them and wherever greed of fortune was prevailing he changes things through generosity and mercy for the poor. So, we see how he resembles merciful God”, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel has also shown.
Next Sunday, the Orthodox Christians will be on the 16rd Sunday after the Pentecost.
