Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell:
Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee
Like all our Lord’s parables, they are multifaceted, deep-set with meaning, and can be peeled back layer by layer revealing hidden truths beneath the obvious. Thus, this parable can be distilled down to the question of “Faith vs. Religion.”
In today’s “I’m spiritual, but I don’t go to church” world, it might seem that Faith and Religion are indeed different entities altogether. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Just like the age-old tug of war between “faith and works” which St. James tackles so eloquently in his epistle, they must work and act in consonance. The works themselves do not save, but they are the evidence of one’s faith.
The same is true regarding religion. Religion is the language we use to express our faith, which is fundamentally inexpressible; to define what is undefinable. Therefore, the liturgy, ritual, liturgical movement and sacrifice, as well as art, architecture, music, poetry (hymnography), help us to express in a way in which man can come together and enact faith; bolster it while encouraging others as well.
Fr. John
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