Leave-taking of Dormition in Vodoča ( 05.09.2007 )
Today, on the Leave-taking of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and the feastday of the Holy Hieromartyr Irenaeus of
As an interpretation of today's reading from the Holy Scripture, His Eminence says that were we able to bring to awareness that moment of our spiritual life, we would notice that our distracted mind during its wandering throughout the “world” lingers where it finds pleasure. Now, since on the first stage of our spiritual development we are still captured by the passion of vainglory, we should know for certain that our mind delights in thoughts, desires, hopes, plans, and fantasies, which are food for our self-love. It indulges in thoughts that nourish our vanity and high self-esteem, as well as in gossip, judging and condemnation of all who are “lower” than us and who threaten our “power and glory.” And all this, according to our Lord’s words, proceeds from our heart; it is this that defiles our heart, not what we bring into it through our mouth. It is incumbent upon all of us who are on the first stage, the stage of purification, with ascetical effort to compel our mind to lock itself in the prayer words, “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us,” so that the Godman Jesus Christ be our sole delight. We do not have much choice: our mind will either be distracted and wander throughout the “world,” indulging in its fake glory; or it will be collected in God, thus delighting in the only One Who loves man and makes him feel fulfilled—our Lord Jesus Christ. At the prayers of our only Sovereign Lady and Guide, the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us.
