Forgiveness Vespers Sermon 2022

Forgiveness Vespers Sermon 2022

Tonight’s Sermon in a Nutshell:

When a monk or nun is tonsured, the abbot or abyss cuts the candidates hair in a crosswise fashion upon the head…much like was done to you during your baptisms. But the interesting thing is that the candidate gives the abbot or abyss the scissors, to which, they throw them to the ground three time. Therefore, the candidate must pick them up each time and give them back to their superior. This, action is not meant as a game, a test, or a degradation – it is simply a means to exemplify in threefold action ones’ free choice to submit to monasticism. Thus, it is never about one being forced to “give up” or “give in,” but deciding they have found something far better to seek after. And the same can be said of Great Lent: we give up that which distracts us from what is better for us.

All in all, YOU have the power to view Great Lent either in a positive or negative light even though God shines all of His forces more brightly upon the attributes of the Great Fast than does the world. YOU hold the decision to traverse this Holy Season for the betterment of your soul or neglect it altogether. YOU have the free will and free choice in the matter, and YOU are the only one who can decide whether you will even finish what you start in this effort. But it YOU place your trust and your heart into God’s hands, seek His guidance, ask for His help, YOU will be surprised as to how far you can get in so little time – if only YOU give up and give YOURSELF to God.

I wish all of you a blessed Lenten Journey and forgive me for my unworthiness in serving you!

Fr. John Memorich